Time to Love Your Legs

February is the month of love, and we want you to love your legs! You shouldn’t have to live your life hiding because of varicose or spider veins. Good vein health can become a habit and priority in your life! It’s easy to achieve your best physical health with a few simple lifestyle changes. Here are three things you can do to help alleviate the pain and embarrassment caused by varicose veins:

1. Schedule a consultation at the Reno Vein Clinic

Dr. Merchant and the staff at the Reno Vein Clinic are experienced in healing all severities of spider and varicose veins. We offer four different treatment options to help you achieve your best legs. Read about all our treatment options here!

2. Get plenty of exercise

We know you’ve probably heard this before, but getting enough exercise, particularly gentle cardio, is one of the best ways to keep legs healthy. When you move and exercise, blood flows more quickly through the legs. When you’re stationary for long periods of time, blood can pool, worsening varicose veins. Activities like brisk walking, jogging on sand or other low-impact terrains, biking, and hiking are great for varicose veins. Swimming is also a great total-body workout that really gets blood pumping! Be sure to always consult your doctor before starting a new workout regimen.

3. Maintain a Good Diet

One of the best ways to improve leg and overall health is to eat right. When your body has extra pounds to carry, it causes a strain on your legs and veins. Losing weight can be one of the most effective ways to help reduce the appearance of varicose veins. It’s important to exercise and eat well for maximum weight loss. But don’t worry, it’s easy to eat well when you have the right recipes and can make meals that are delicious and healthy! Check out this recipe for Chicken & Quinoa Burrito Bowls! Be sure that you’re including enough water into your diet too. Hydrated veins are more supple and allow blood to flow through them more easily!

Throughout your journey to better vein health, be patient and stay positive. Remember that you’re working towards a better, healthier life!!

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The Importance of Preventative Care

Have you ever heard the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?”

When it comes to healthcare and self-care, this quote rings more true today than it ever has! Each day it is so easy to take small steps to improve your overall health and help avoid more serious health problems that may arise in the future. You and your doctor are a team when it comes to your wellness, and through routine checkups, you can ensure good overall health each day through your lifetime!

Did you know, nearly 80% of illnesses are preventable in some capacity? Preventative care focuses on establishing, maintaining, or improving your health status each and every day. This can include vaccinations and screenings, but it’s also about a consistent, nutritious diet and proper exercise. his means that you can take extra steps toward your health to save yourself trouble and pain in the future!

Here are 3 easy steps you take to be proactive about your health today:

1. Drink Water. We say this all the time, but drinking water is SO important to overall health. Your body works better when it’s hydrated.
2. Watch Your Weight. If your body is forced to carry around extra pounds, it leads to more strain on muscles, veins, and joints.
3. Schedule Regular Visits with Your Doctor. It’s important to make sure you receive frequent check-ups to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Preventative self-care is a habit you’ll want to make sooner, rather than later. Make healthy lifestyle choices and monitor your health– you’ll be happy you did! Call us today to schedule your preventative care appointment (775) 329-3100!

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Live Vein-Pain Free in 2018!

It’s time to treat yourself to beautiful legs in 2018- and we are here to help! Get rid of your spider veins and varicose veins once and for all and make 2018 your year of freedom from leg pain and fatigue! Your Reno Vein Specialist, Dr. Robert Merchant, specializes in four different types of treatment options to heal varicose and spider veins.

VenaSeal™ is the newest minimally invasive vein closure system in the industry. This treatment option can help treat venous reflux by directly closing the vein segment, while significantly minimizing discomfort. Recovery time is minimal and the risk of post-operative side effects is lower than other procedure options. We often get asked if closing a vein is bad for overall circulation, and the answer is no! The blood from the closed vein will redirect itself to one of many healthy veins! Read more here!

If you think VenaSeal™ might not be the answer for you, we also specialize in ClosureFast™, also known as Radiofrequency Closure. This is an FDA-approved procedure, which creates lasting results in only about 90 minutes! Downtime is minimal, with most patients taking just one day off work following surgery. ClosureFast™ causes less pain than stripping or laser ablation.

Additionally, we offer Ambulatory Micro Phlebectomy at RVC which can be performed in combination with Radiofrequency Closure or on its own. This is the surgical removal of large varicose veins through incisions so small there is typically little to no scarring! The surgery leads to an improved appearance of the treatment area, and less long-term pain!

Lastly, we offer Sclerotherapy to treat spider veins. This safe, non-operative treatment method involves using tiny needles to micro-inject the FDA-approved solution, Sotradecol®. The solution, once injected, causes spider veins to shrink and disappear. Typically, 2-4 treatments are needed to achieve maximum results, but there is absolutely no down time!

Say goodbye to your varicose or spider veins once-and-for-all in 2018. You deserve to live free of pain and embarrassment about your legs.

Call us today at (775) 329-3100 to schedule a consultation with Reno’s vein specialist, Dr. Merchant, and let our staff help you put your best legs forward this year!

Dr. Daake is Retiring!

One of our surgeons here at the Reno Vein Clinic is retiring! Dr. John Daake will soon end his career in vascular medicine, which has lasted over 25 years. Dr. Daake spent his years of expertise specializing in using PROREJUVENATION®, a unique program that was developed right here at RVC. During his career, Dr. Daake helped hundreds of patients alleviate vascular disorders and his unwavering dedication to his patients inspires all of us and will continue to inspire us every day!

Dr. Daake is a graduate of Princeton University and Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is a Fellow at American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Venous Association, Washoe County Medical Society, American College of Phlebology and Nevada State Medical Association.

Dr. Daake has been an invaluable addition to the Reno Vein Clinic team. We wish him the absolute best in all his future endeavors and we wish him nothing but the absolute best. Thank you for everything you have contributed to the Reno Vein Clinic, Dr. Daake! You will be missed every day by our team and your patients, but as promised, Dr. Merchant who originally founded the Reno Vein Clinic in 1999, will continue to take exceptional care of every patient, current and future!

Congratulations Dr. Daake!

8 Quick Facts about Veins!

Veins are fascinating. They are responsible for most of the blood flow through the body. We have so many veins, scientists haven’t even calculated the total number. Here are eight cool facts about veins that you may not know.

1. Veins hold up to 70% of the body’s blood.
2. If stretched out, our veins would cover a distance of over 60,000 miles!
3. Veins are made up of three layers: membranous tissue, muscles, and connective tissue.
4. Some veins can constrict in response to nerve stimulation.
5. Varicose veins are a common condition and affect up to 35% of adults.
6. The first case of varicose veins dates all the way back to 86 BC!
7. Giraffes have the greatest pressure in their legs of all animals. They never get varicose veins, however, because their skin is very thick.
8. Women are more likely to be effected by varicose veins than men due to hormones.

Healthy & Delicious: Chicken & Quinoa Burrito Bowl

Healthy does not mean unappetizing. Healthy does not mean no flavor. Healthy means taking a delicious meal, cutting out a few excess ingredients, adding a few vegetables and feeding your goals! This recipe is a great balance of healthy and delicious! With high quality protein, whole grains, healthy fats, this is a balanced meal that the whole family can enjoy, even on a school night!

Grilled Chicken and Quinoa Burrito Bowl with Avocado Salsa

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups dry quinoa
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 T ancho chili powder
• 1 1/2 t ground cumin
• 1/4 t garlic powder
• Salt and ground pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 T olive oil
• 1 2/3 cups frozen corn
• 1 (14.5oz) can black beans
• Mexican blend cheese or quest fresco
• Plain Greek yogurt or light sour cream

Avocado Salsa:

• 3 medium roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 1/2 medium avocados, diced
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 jalapeno
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 2 T fresh lime juice
• 2 T olive oil
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan stir together quinoa and chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then cover, reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for 15 minutes or until broth has been absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat a grill (or indoor grill, panini press, or cook over the stove in a grill pan) to 425 degrees. In a small bowl whisk together ancho chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Pound chicken breasts to even out their thickness using the flat side of meat mallet. Brush both sides with the 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil then season both sides of chicken with the chili powder mixture (use all of it). Grill chicken until center registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer, about 4 minutes per side (or about 4 minutes total if using an indoor electric grill or panini press set at high heat or sear). Transfer chicken to a plate, cover and let rest 5 minutes then cut into pieces, season with more salt to taste if desired.
3. While the chicken is resting, prepare avocado salsa. In a medium mixing bowl gently toss together tomatoes, avocados, red onion, jalapeno, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. To assemble burrito bowls, divide quinoa among serving bowls. Top with chicken, corn, black beans, cheese, avocado salsa and Greek yogurt. Serve immediately.
   *Rinse quinoa under water in a sieve if it’s not listed on the package that it’s pre-rinsed.
   **If you don’t like spicy food just omit the jalapeño, replace it with 1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper if desired.

Make the Most of Your Mornings

Let’s face it, mornings are rough…It can often be a challenge to find the motivation to get out of bed in the mornings, especially if your varicose veins cause you pain and discomfort. However, there are several things you can do to help trick yourself into becoming a morning person. If you can train yourself to wake up easier in the mornings, it’ll make you feel more rested and more energized and in turn make you more productive. Follow these tips to help yourself wake up easier!

1. Practice good sleep hygiene: The easiest way to wake up easier in the mornings is to get a good night’s sleep. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule, even on the weekends, is one of the best ways to get quality sleep. Hitting the snooze button is a sign of sleep deprivation, so if you find your hand gravitating towards the snooze, try going to bed earlier and see how it makes a difference over time.
2. Set a motive first thing: It’s important to set goals for yourself. Come up with a meaningful, tangible reason for waking up early. Whether it’s having time to cook a healthy breakfast or go for a walk around your neighborhood, you’ll be happy to have something to work towards and feel accomplished right when you start your day.
3. Bite the bullet: If you wake up naturally within ten minutes of your alarm, it can be so tempting to go back to sleep and wait until your alarm goes off. However, waking up naturally is the best way to greet the day, and you’ll feel much better if you just get out of bed when you wake up. Also, as tempting as hitting the snooze can be, if you wake up right when your alarm goes off, you’ll feel more rested than if you get an extra five minutes of restless sleep.
4. Seize the day: Instead of waking up with a groan and a sigh, look ahead to what you’re expecting to be the best part of your day. Don’t think about that afternoon meeting you have, but instead of your lunch date with your friend! It’s a much better way to motivate yourself to wake up.
5. Exercise and eat a healthy breakfast: If you can make time in the morning, try to fit in a short workout and eat a healthy breakfast. It’ll make all the difference in your daily productivity!

 

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