Do you frequently experience leg pain when doing simple things such as walking around? If so, you may be suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also known as peripheral artery disease. Some sufferers of PAD do not exhibit any symptoms, so it is important to understand the risk factors so you can effectively reduce your likelihood of contracting this disease.
If you would like more information, or if you believe you may be suffering from PAD, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Zenith Health and Aesthetics. We are conveniently located in Memphis, TN, and our professionals would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?
In essence, PAD is a circulatory disease. It occurs when the blood flow is constricted due to narrowed arteries. That’s why you may experience pain when walking; the blood isn’t able to reach the areas it’s supposed to go. This leg pain is also known as claudication, and it is the main indicator for PAD.
Peripheral arterial disease can also occur when there are fatty deposits built up in your arteries. These deposits restrict blood flow, which affects your heart and your brain. It can also affect your legs, which causes pain.
Non-Medical Treatments for PAD
Some advisable steps you can take to treat PAD on your own include:
• Quitting the use of any tobacco products
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet
If these lifestyle changes have little to no effect on your condition, then it may be time to consult with medical professionals to explore your treatment options.
Symptoms to Look out For
Simply looking for pain in the legs while walking isn’t the best way to spot PAD. There are a few more specific symptoms you can look out for to help you determine if it is time to seek medical help. If you have peripheral arterial disease, you may experience painful cramping that occurs in one or both of your legs after walking, running, or climbing stairs.
Leg numbness or weakness that has no discernable cause can also be a sign of PAD. Sore that won’t heal, hair loss on the feet and legs, as well as shiny skin on your legs can all indicate peripheral arterial disease.
Contact Us
This is simply a general overview of peripheral arterial disease and what to look for. For more comprehensive information, please visit Zenith Health and Aesthetics in Memphis, TN. We can provide you with more information about PAD as well as which treatments may be right for you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
Varicose veins are known as the big brother of spider veins. Like spider veins, they can be clearly seen and are aesthetically unappealing. Both types of disordered veins appear discolored and twisted, but that’s where the similarities end. At Zenith Health & Aesthetics in Memphis, TN, we value your health and aesthetic. Today, we answer one of your most commonly asked questions, when should I consider varicose veins treatment and many others.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged twisted veins usually found near the surface of the skin, though can also be found deeper within the body. They most commonly develop in the ankles and legs. But they can appear on the face, hands, chest and other locations, as well. You may have them on one side of your body or the other or on both sides of your body.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Everyone experiences varicose veins differently. The universal symptom of this type of disordered vein is its appearance. Other extremely common symptoms include localized pain, discomfort, tingling, heaviness and swelling.
Unfortunately, the symptoms do not end there. Varicose veins can develop clots. When your varicose veins are deep within your body, they can develop clots and cause a condition known as deep vein thrombosis. If one of these clots breaks off from the vein, it can travel all the way to your lung. When a blood clot is implanted into one of your lungs, the condition is known as a pulmonary embolism. This is a potentially life-threatening condition.
When Should I Consider Varicose Vein Treatment?
If you notice varicose veins on your body, come in for an in-person consultation to determine the best varicose vein treatment for your needs. Depending on the cause, extent and severity of your varicose veins, you may try one or more at-home treatments before opting for a medical treatment or procedure. Here’s a general overview of a few of the most popular:
Weight Loss
If your varicose veins are caused by obesity, weight loss is the first line in defense against developing future varicose veins once your existing ones have been treated. Keep in mind that even a 10% reduction in excess body fat will make a drastic improvement in the quality of your life, including your health and happiness. If you need help to lose weight, consult a licensed nutritionist to help you get your diet in check. Diet accounts for 90% of weight loss.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is one of the most popular methods of varicose vein treatment because it is non-invasive and effective. It involves the injection of a sclerosant in either liquid or foam form. Foam is most often used to treat larger varicose veins.
Liquid sclerosants are composed of a saline (saltwater) solution. These are used for smaller varicose veins and for individuals who are allergic to both types of foam sclerosant. You should consider this type of varicose vein treatment if you are not pregnant and at-home treatments are ineffective.
What Can I Expect During This Treatment?
This non-invasive treatment requires no general anesthesia. The needle used is fine enough to not cause pain during injection or removal. However, lidocaine is included in the injection to numb the treatment area and prevent any discomfort.
What Results Can I Expect From Treatment?
The results of sclerotherapy can be seen within a few weeks of treatment for spider veins and smaller varicose veins. For larger varicose veins, you will experience immediate relief from physical symptoms, but the visual improvement may not be seen for two to four months. In 17% of cases, larger varicose veins will require a second treatment a month after the initial treatment.
Where Can Sclerotherapy Be Performed?
Sclerotherapy can be performed virtually anywhere you have varicose veins. Most often, it is used to treat varicose veins and spider veins in the face, particularly the sides of the nose, as well as the feet, ankles, calves and thighs.
What Is the Recovery Process Like?
The recovery process for sclerotherapy is minimal. For the first 24 hours, you should wear a compression garment. Other than that, you can return to most of your daily routine immediately.
What Aftercare Steps Are Necessary?
One of the reasons sclerotherapy is so popular is how few aftercare steps there are. To avoid affecting your body’s blood clotting process, avoid taking NSAIDs and aspirin for the first 24 hours after treatment. If you feel any discomfort, take Tylenol as directed on the package.
Avoid excessive heat for the first 48 hours after treatment. This means no vigorous exercise. It’s also important not to sunbathe, take hot baths or showers, try to unwind in a sauna or swim in a heated pool.
How Should I Prepare?
To prepare for sclerotherapy, do not take NSAIDs or aspirin for 48 hours before treatment. You should also avoid vitamins and herbal supplements which thin your blood. During your initial consultation, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of which medications and supplements to avoid.
Do not shave or apply lotion to the treatment site on the day of your treatment and let us know of any historic or current medical conditions, including active skin infections and a history of blood disorders.
Watch Your Diet
If you suffer from varicose veins, diet is the first method of varicose vein treatment. Excess venous blood pressure, which you can lower by drastically reducing your sodium intake, can form varicose veins. The easiest way to reduce sodium intake without reading the nutrition labels on everything you consume is to avoid processed foods and cook with fresh food, instead. Processed foods, and especially processed meats and fast foods, contain extremely high levels of sodium.
You should also reduce your consumption of bad cholesterol, reduce your sugar intake, drink more water and limit caffeine and alcohol consumption. As part of a healthy lifestyle, it is important to consume plenty of fiber, too. This fiber should come from natural sources like whole grains, vegetables and low-carb fruits.
Quit Smoking
It’s hard to stop smoking, but even reducing your tobacco intake gradually will greatly improve your varicose veins and overall quality of life. Nicotine is one of the hundreds of chemical compounds found in tobacco that elevates your blood pressure. This excess blood pressure can cause your veins to warp and damage the venous walls and valves responsible for healthy blood flow. This is another form of varicose vein treatment you should consider implementing immediately.
Wear Compression Garments
For immediate relief from varicose vein symptoms, wear compression garments, which can be purchased “over-the-counter” at your favorite local pharmacy. If you do not find relief from these low-pressure compression garments after a few months, come in for an initial consultation. We can determine the ideal pressure your compression garments and write you a prescription for the right garment.
When your varicose veins are in your legs, compression stockings or compression stocks are most often prescribed. When varicose veins affect your arms, a high-pressure sleeve will be prescribed. Compression garments are most often prescribed during pregnancy. This is because between the average venous blood volume increase of 40% and the hormonal changes that cause rapid weight gain in your lower abdomen, pregnancy is the most significant risk factor for varicose veins, second only to age.
Move More
Once again, moving more is a treatment for varicose veins that we strongly recommend implementing immediately. A sedentary lifestyle, whether that involves standing in place for excessive periods or sitting still excessively, is a very significant risk factor for varicose veins. There are innumerable health benefits associated with physical activity. One of them is improved circulation. The stronger your circulatory system, the easier it is for your veins to pump blood against the effects of gravity back to your heart.
Physical activity also strengthens the muscles surrounding your veins. This also supports your vein’s ability to circulate blood. If you have a sedentary job, set a quiet alarm for every 15 minutes and do squats or wall sits at your desk.
Every hour, you should get up and walk around a little. Whether this is getting another cup of water, using the restroom or filing paperwork you’ve been putting off, make sure you get up and walk for a minute. According to the American Heart Association and CDC, you should perform 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly for heart health and disease prevention.
Elevate Your Legs
If you have varicose veins caused by pregnancy, there is no need to consider sclerotherapy or invasive techniques like varicose vein stripping. What you can do is walk and swim regularly, watch your diet, stay hydrated, wear compression garments and elevate your legs above your heart.
If you do not have a bed that allows you to adjust the incline of your mattress, lie on your back and place a couple of throw pillows under your ankles. You should also elevate your legs above your heart if you will be sitting for an extended period of time. Implement this treatment for varicose veins as soon as you notice them.
Varicose Vein Stripping
Varicose vein stripping, also known as vein stripping with ablation, avulsion or ligation, is used as a last resort to treat varicose veins. It is performed under general anesthesia using a handheld ultrasound device to pinpoint the precise locations of the damaged valves. A duplex scan may also be ordered to determine the extent of the effect on blood flow.
You should consider this form of treatment for varicose veins if you have deep vein blood clots. Before your procedure, let us know of all over-the-counter and prescription medications you are taking. You may need to suspend the use of these drugs and supplements temporarily before and after treatment.
How Can I Prepare for This Procedure?
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia. You cannot drive within 24 hours of being under general anesthesia, so you must arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home. If your body does not respond well to general anesthesia and you are nervous about your procedure, you may be given spinal anesthesia and anti-anxiety medication.
You should also prepare to spend between two and four weeks in recovery. You will receive prescription narcotics to keep you comfortable. Expect to stay off your feet as much as possible for the first 72 to 96 hours post-op. This depends on how many veins were stripped and the locations of those veins.
It was an overflow crowd that packed the room for a private dinner and presentation by Phillip T. Zeni, Jr., M.D., FSIR, owner and medical director of Zenith Health and Aesthetics. His remarks concerning diagnosis and treatment of venous insufficiency and peripheral artery disease were very well received by the Greater Memphis Area Advanced Practice Nurses (GMAAPN) in its special meeting.
In advance of Dr. Zeni’s presentation were remarks by Nikki Uhlhorn, NP, a highly experienced nurse who has trained in venous insufficiency, varicose veins and cardiac therapies.
A tip of the Zenith hat to GMAAPN President Laura Reed, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee Health Science Center for helping coordinate the event.
Have you noticed lately that unwanted lines and wrinkles are appearing on your skin? At Zenith Health & Aesthetics in Memphis, TN, we can address these issues with several potential treatments. One of these is a non-surgical, minimally invasive dermal injection called Juvederm.
Why Juvederm?
Why do people use these dermal injections? And why have they become so popular over the last decade? The answer is that while many people would love to experience the benefits of smoothing their facial wrinkles, not everyone wants to undergo a longer process such as a facelift or a chemical peel.
Beyond Botox
This is where facial fillers and dermal injections can be extremely beneficial. Dermal injections are highly localized and require a minimum of time and preparation when compared with facelift surgery. For this reason, many people initially look into getting Botox injections. However, after a few sessions, some patients have noticed that they develop a resistance to Botox that can sometimes render future treatments less effective.
What Juvederm Can Help
Juvederm works especially well in these cases and can provide the desired results if a patient finds that Botox has lost some of its usefulness. But even if you have never gotten Botox or any other dermal injection before, Juvederm can be particularly effective for treating several concerns:
Wrinkles
Lip lines
Marionette lines
Nasiolabial folds
Crow’s feet
Parenthesis lines
Fuller cheeks
So how does it work? And who is a candidate for treatment?
What Is Juvederm?
Juvederm is a hyaluronic injectable gel dermal filler. It is based on hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally-occurring substance in your skin that adds volume and is critical in delivering nutrients that keep your skin young, soft, and full.
What Hyaluronic Acid Does
One of the major properties of hyaluronic acid is that it binds to water. This is especially useful for adding volume to the skin, as water is part of what is providing that extra fullness. This allows for the skin to retain its natural malleability, as opposed to a hard, artificial feel. Some have observed that this results in a smoother feel than other gel products.
Another advantage is that this water-binding process works very quickly. It allows patients to see visible results soon after treatment. As the injection starts to work with the water that already exists naturally in your skin, volume will increase and wrinkles and lines will begin to soften.
Is It Safe?
The FDA approved Juvederm on June 2, 2006, noting no serious adverse effects and declaring it safe for use. Over ten years later, it continues to be a popular treatment option among many patients because of its convenience and effectiveness, and the company has created a number of types that are specifically designed for certain areas.
Different Types: Which One Is Right for You?
There are a number of varieties available, and the right one is based on the specific needs and goals of the individual patient. Because not all skin works exactly the same way, some different approaches are needed, depending on the areas of use. Some patients are interested in plump lips, some in decreasing specific wrinkles, and some others may want to restore volume to their cheeks.
Vollure
Vollure is designed for folds and wrinkles and is ideal for people who are particularly interesting in smoothing out more pronounced lines on the face. Additionally, Vollure is long-lasting and typically continues to show good results for 18 months after treatment.
Voluma
Voluma is a filler specifically designed for the challenging task of restoring volume to cheeks. As we age, cheeks often lose their firmness and shape, but Volbella addresses this by working deep underneath the cheek’s surface. This allows patients to see continued results for up to two years after treatment.
Volbella
If you are looking to plump your lips, the answer is Volbella. This particular filler contains a local anesthetic as the lips can be particularly sensitive, and the treatment is more comfortable as a result. Volbella addresses lip lines, adds moisture, and lasts for a year after the treatment.
Ultra Plus
If you are more serious about getting some extreme results, Ultra Plus may be for you. Ultra Plus is usually used to address the most serious wrinkles that need a little extra contouring.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Almost anyone can be a candidate for treatment. As previously mentioned, it is an excellent choice for people who had other injections but did not achieve the desired results.
Will It Give You Allergies?
The substance itself is manufactured purely from non-animal ingredients and does not trigger allergic reactions. Because of this, there are very few people who should avoid it entirely, although it should be noted that it is not advised for women who are currently pregnant or lactating.
What Should Your Goals Be?
Typically, candidates want to achieve a more youthful look, due to lost volume in their face as a natural result of aging. This might include thinning skin, unwanted wrinkles, or a lack of plumpness in the lips or cheeks.
They will also have realistic expectations about what results can be achieved, and know that the best approach is to follow up with additional maintenance treatments at some point in the future. We also encourage a healthy outlook about the treatment. While amazing results continue to be achieved, it is also critical that patients focus on their health, and follow the suggested steps both before and after treatment sessions.
How to Prepare for a Treatment Session
The first part of the process is the initial consultation. Here, you will meet with a member of our staff and discuss your expectations and goals.
Meeting Our Staff
The consultation will establish what specific areas you want to treat, as well as your overall feelings about the process. We can answer any concerns or questions you may have and make sure that you have all the information you need in order to make you maximally comfortable.
Among other things, you will want to discuss any medications you are currently taking and any history of allergies or past medical issues.
Avoiding Aspirin
Mention any painkillers you may currently be taking, even if they are non-prescription, as some people find it is helpful to avoid aspirin-based products before the treatment. Those who take aspirin may be advised to discontinue use in the five days leading up to their injection appointment (or to find a different pain treatment instead).
Additional Information
During the consultation, you may also be given more information on how best to get ready in the days leading up to the treatment session. However, most of these steps are minor. Clients are often in and out the door in just about an hour.
What Should You Expect from a Treatment Session?
A treatment session is extremely quick, especially when compared to the many months (or years) that you can experience positive results. While many people who get dermal injections will report experiencing the benefits for one or two years, the actual session itself is very efficient.
A Speedy Process
From start to finish, the treatment process typically lasts less than an hour. Each treatment vial includes the local anesthetic Lidocaine, which maks the injections comfortable. In addition, the treatment itself only takes a few minutes to administer. Most visitors are able to resume most of their typical activities immediately after leaving our office.
Post-Treatment Information
After the injection, you will be given some information and suggestions on what to do in the days and weeks after the session. These will include tips on any activities or substances you should avoid, as well as a treatment plan for future maintenance.
In general, there is no real downtime after these treatments. The process is designed to be extremely quick, efficient, and low-impact so as not to interrupt your normal life.
What Should You Avoid After a Treatment Session?
As your body integrates the dermal injection, you want to make sure that you take care of yourself as best as you can. Most of the suggestions for what to do after treatment are designed to help make your recovery as fast and comfortable as possible.
Avoid Heat and Sun
It is recommended that our guests avoid too much heat after treatment. This would include saunas, extremely hot showers, tanning, or sunbathing, for example. Spending too much time in direct sunlight is also not advised.
Avoid Alcohol
For 24 hours following the treatment session, alcohol should also be avoided. The reason for this is that alcohol causes changes in the cardiovascular system and moves blood more quickly, which can potentially lead to discomfort.
Avoid Massage
We also advise against getting a massage of the treated area for roughly two weeks after treatment.
It is possible that our staff may have a few other suggestions after your session, but in general, you will be able to do everything that you normally do. The treatment is designed to avoid disrupting your normal activities.
What You Can Expect
After your session, the hyaluronic acid filler will quickly integrate with your skin, and the water-binding properties will add volume and bounce to the treated areas.
Fast Results
You will be able to see results almost immediately. Lips will be fuller and cheeks more shapely. The benefits of treating severe wrinkles can be especially noticeable. Despite these exceptional results, the ultimate aim of Juvederm is to give a natural look in each of these cases.
What Happens With the Hyaluronic Acid?
Because hyaluronic acid fillers provide a substance that is already naturally occurring in your skin, the risks are extremely low. They are biodegradable and will disperse over time. This means that if you don’t like the effect of the treatment, there is no agonizing process necessary to “remove” the filler. It will go away with time.
Maintaining Your Look
Most people prefer to get maintenance treatments in order to keep the amount of filler at a natural-looking level. For ideal long-term effects, most people report that the preference is to return within two years after the initial injection for a follow-up visit.
Our staff will provide all the information you need for your post-treatment options, including an estimate of what a good maintenance routine would be for your unique needs.
Schedule Your Personal Consultation Today
Facial wrinkles, marionette lines, and crow’s feet can all become more pronounced with time. But that doesn’t mean that you must live with them if you don’t want to. If you’re one of the many thousands of people who would like to soften these lines, and you also don’t want invasive surgery, then Juvederm may be your perfect solution. You can quickly restore a youthful look, and give yourself a boost of confidence as well.
To find out more about treatment, visit us at Zenith Health & Aesthetics in Memphis, TN. We will happily answer any further questions you may have about the Juvederm treatment process, and you can schedule your own personal consultation.
Facial fillers are a great type of minimally-invasive anti-aging treatment for anyone dealing with fine lines and wrinkles. It is important to understand how these products work and which one makes the best choice for you and your individual needs and goals.
Fillers are injectable substances contained within a flowing gel. After injection, the product begins to immediately fill out lines and wrinkles my volumizing the facial skin. Some even help to improve skin hydration for an additional plumping effect. Facial fillers may be just what you have been looking for to achieve your goals for your appearance.
Juvederm®
Juvederm® is the most popular type of facial filler, and for good reason. This is a type of injectable filler containing something called hyaluronic acid. This is a naturally-occurring substance that begins breaking down with age. Its role in your skin is to attract moisture to fill out skin tissue. Getting older leads to a loss of hyaluronic acid production.
Juvederm® is able to rectify this deficiency, attracting moisture into your skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also be used to enhance lip fullness, making it a versatile treatment.
This is a safe and effective filler that can be used for skin revitalization and helping to reduce the appearance of lines around the mouth and nose. It can even be used for non-surgical cheek enhancement.
The Results
Fillers can offer significant anti-aging results for different areas of the face. After your injections, you should begin noticing immediate changes. However, each patient is an individual who may have different experiences. As such, results vary from patient to patient.
It is important to keep in mind that your body and skin will continue to age normally after your treatment. The injected substances will eventually be fully metabolized, requiring follow-up injections at some point in the future.
Schedule Your Consultation to Learn More
If you are interested in how facial fillers can turn back the clock on your aging skin, please feel free to book an appointment with our professionals at Zenith Health & Aesthetics, located in Memphis, TN. We would be more than happy to evaluate your facial features, learn about your aesthetic goals, go over your health and medical history, and determine if facial fillers can work for you. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and get started. We look forward to hearing from you!
Dr. Phillip T. Zeni, Jr., M.D. was a featured guest on WREG-TV’s Live @9 discussing the vascular disease awareness campaign GET SCREENED. He was the guest of program host Marybeth Conley in the Live @9 program. Joining Dr. Zeni was a vascular patient, Nicole Hindmann, whom he has successfully treated. WREG-TV is a CBS affiliate serving the Memphis metro.
Heal on Beale
Heal on Beale is a triennial event scheduled this year for Oct. 11-13 at the Memphis Sheraton Downtown. The event brings together medical and health care providers from acute care, long term and home care, plus nurse managers, researchers and educators. With a full range of podium presentations, networking lunches and breakout sessions with 13 learning facilitators, Heal on Beale 4.0 promises to advance the practice of wound, ostomy and continence for attendees.
Prominent among the learning facilitators is Memphis vascular and interventional physician Phillip T. Zeni, Jr., M.D., FSIR who will conduct a session entitled “Arterial & Venous Treatments of Lower Extremities” on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 130. Dr. Zeni has been in-practice in Memphis for 20 years and is the Medical Director and owner of Zenith Health and Aesthetics in East Memphis.
Memphis Health Fair
Zenith Health and Aesthetics participated in a 3-day mimeo.com Memphis Health Fair recently. This in-plant event for mimeo’s 500+ employees featured free screening and consultations by Zenith’s medical professionals. The fair was organized and managed by mimeo’s Benefits Manager, Tamiko Collins. Banners and signs (produced in-house, of course) were placed throughout mimeo.com’s facility to remind employees of the event.
