Spring is a busy time of year at Advanced Vein Therapy. With summer right around the corner, we are typically busy helping clients eliminate unsightly varicose veins and spider veins. These can make you self-conscious and may prevent you from wearing shorts, dresses, bathing suits, and other warm-weather gear. However, this spring has brought unexpected events that require all of us to take extra precautions.
As the COVID-19 epidemic spreads in Idaho and across the United States, we all play a part in what public officials refer to as ‘flattening the curve.’ Social distancing helps to reduce community spread, thereby reducing the number of cases. At AVT, we are dedicated to protecting your safety during this difficult time. The following details some of the actions we will be taking in the coming weeks.
Our Commitment to You During This Difficult Time
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Idaho Governor Bird Little issued an emergency declaration due to COVID-19[1], the infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Alongside this order, he also issued a statewide stay-home order urging all residents to self-isolate. This applies not only to people in high-risk groups for the virus, such as the elderly, people with chronic medical conditions, and those with compromised immune systems but to all residents. Schools and many businesses are currently closed, with exceptions made for essential service providers.
At Advanced Vein Therapy, we are considered part of this group. As essential workers in the medical field. At the same time, we take our responsibility to protect the health and safety of both our patients and members of our Boise team seriously. Steps we are currently taking to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 include:
- Limiting the number of exams provided at our site.
- Evaluating the urgency of patient needs to determine the next steps in treatment;
- Reducing the number of patients in our office at any one time and restricting visitors from waiting or exam rooms;
- Going above and beyond our current high standards of cleanliness, using professional-grade products to disinfect before and after each visit.
What Our Patients Need to Know in Navigating the Ever-Changing World of Healthcare
For residents of the Boise area, the coronavirus pandemic is disrupting our jobs, our families, and our daily activities. It is also changing the way health care is being delivered. Due to concerns about the rising number of cases locally and in other areas and the demands of caring for people sick with COVID-19, there is a need to prioritize patient care[2]. At AVT, we have determined that we will not be seeing cosmetic sclerotherapy patients during the month of April.
For over ten years, Advanced Vein Therapy has been the go-to provider of treatment for varicose veins and spider veins. These are those blue, purple, or red twisting lines that commonly appear on the legs and feet. The underlying causes include genetics, the stress of pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods, and weight gain. They happen due to weak or damaged valves that impair blood flow. Instead of circulating through the veins, the blood becomes pooled, causing unsightly lines to appear.
Spider veins can make you feel self-conscious and may prevent you from wearing your favorite summer attire. In other cases, varicose veins caused by more serious underlying issues can leave patients suffering from pain and limited mobility. Left untreated, they could lead to more serious health conditions[3]. Working to identify these cases and providing the medical care needed is a top priority.
Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourself
There are steps you can take to protect yourself and reduce community spread of the coronavirus. These include frequent handwashing, disinfecting surfaces regularly, covering sneezes and coughs, and remaining at home as much as possible. There are also steps you can take to help prevent the further spread of your varicose veins[4]. These include:
- Getting regular exercise;
- Watching your weight;
- Eating a high fiber, low salt diet;
- Avoiding standing or sitting in one place for long periods;
- Elevating your legs to improve circulation and blood flow.
Contact Advanced Vein Therapy
At Advanced Vein Therapy, caring for our patients remains our number one goal. For more information about precautions we are taking due to the coronavirus or questions about your treatment, call or contact our Boise office today.
[1] Idaho Governor issues emergency declaration and stay home order: https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/governor-little-issues-statewide-stay-home-order-signs-extreme-emergency-declaration/
[2] Resources for health care facilities: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/index.html
[3] https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/varicose-veins-and-spider-veins
[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/varicose-veins/symptoms-causes/syc-20350643