An Unknown Pitfall of Too Much Screen Time
By Gina Fedele

 

COVID-19 has left many of us spending way too much time in front of our computer screens and digital devices, which has left us uncomfortable due to eyestrain, neck, and shoulder pain. Many of us are spending hours sitting while working, enjoying meals, reading, watching TV, or streaming the latest series. Our days seem to flow into one another, and before we know it, it’s bedtime and morning, as we awaken to repeat the same sedentary lifestyle behaviors.

I had no idea about the harmful effects of sitting for hours on end until I was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI, also known as varicose veins, is a condition in which the venous wall and/or valves in our leg veins stop working effectively, making it difficult for circulating blood to return to the heart from the legs. This causes a condition called stasis, in which blood “pools” in the veins. Little did I know, this condition was happening to me! My symptoms manifested as a burning sensation in my legs, which I assumed was due to sitting for long periods. Then, one day during a seven-hour car ride, the burning became so severe, I found myself doubled over in pain. 

Since being diagnosed with CVI, I have learned that roughly 50 percent of all women develop this frequently undiagnosed disease at some point in their lives, often during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth. However, CVI also occurs in men. Sometimes people with CVI are bothered by unattractive leg veins that look like twisted ropes or, as in my case, can be invisible. While varicose veins may be unattractive, the time for concern is when symptoms appear. Symptoms can include pain, achiness, a heavy feeling in the legs, burning, or itchiness. It can even be as simple as those restless legs you keep attributing to a recent birthday.

Fortunately, there are minimally invasive treatments for diagnosing and treating CVI. Dana Dunleavy, M.D., Director of Windsong Radiology’s Interventional and Vascular team treats CVI using minimally invasive guided imagery. During a venous closure procedure, the interventional radiologist inserts a thin catheter into the vein. Image guidance leads the catheter to the point of treatment and at the appropriate time, the vein is closed with heat, glue, or sclerosant foam.

“The beauty of these types of minimally invasive procedures is that medical imaging enables diagnosis and treatment with smaller incisions and less trauma,” says Dunleavy. “Some patients choose to return to work the same day as the procedure.”

In addition to CVI treatment, Windsong’s Interventional and Vascular team treats other conditions using image-guided minimally invasive techniques. These innovative treatments allow patients to return to normal activities quickly and include uterine fibroid embolization and prostate artery embolization (non-surgical alternatives to hysterectomy and TURP). Outpatient treatments for pelvic congestion syndrome, May-Thurner Syndrome, and compression fractures, and liver/kidney/bone metastases are also offered, without the need for hospitalization. Learn more about Windsong’s Interventional and Vascular services at www.windsonginterventional.com or call 929-9484. Consultations in the Williamsville clinic are available 5 days per week.

Gina Fedele is the Marketing Services Manager at Windsong Radiology Group.