The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 46 COVID patients today, up from 42 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
26 with the active virus today, up from 19 yesterday
4 in ICU, up from 2 yesterday
1 on a ventilator, down from 2 yesterday
20 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, down from 23 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Bob Trapp, varicose vein patient
Bob noticed in the shower one day that his ankle was bleeding profusely. It was the result of a ruptured varicose vein in his leg.
The problem that Bob had was essentially a problem that a lot of patients get as they get older; they develop spider veins and varicose veins. This is due to an issue with the structure of the veins then becoming incompetent and becoming pressurized -- and veins aren't able to withstand that pressure.
Over time as the skin atrophies and gets thinner, these veins get larger and they can spontaneously rupture, which is what happened to Bob. This is a complication of varicose veins that is not uncommon.
Bob had two procedures. The first was removal of the varicose veins in the area. This is done with local anesthetic through a small needle hole which will not leave a scar. It's minimally invasive.
The second procedure was injecting the spider vein with a medication which damages the inside of the vein and causes the vein to then collapse. The body just absorbs the vein with time.
Dr. Rick Arnspiger, vascular surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System
Varicose veins are really weakening of the walls of your veins and the valves of your veins and so when those walls of the veins become weaker, the veins expand, and blood can pull in those veins and cause problems.
Sometimes people have trouble with swelling in their in their lower extremities. They have a significant amount of pain and sometimes the skin becomes so thin that sometimes they can rupture.
There is a genetic link to varicose veins, although a lot of times the varicose veins are acquired. If one of your parents has varicose veins, you have a 40 percent chance of developing them. If both of your parents have varicose veins, that chance increases to 90 percent.
When it comes to previous heart conditions, there is not a direct connection between the arterial system and the venous system. However, it is possible that large varicose veins can cause issues with the heart.
Seeking any further treatment is really depends on symptoms. If people are having a significant amount of pain, trouble walking, and not being able to get around due to varicose veins, they really need to seek medical attention.
Amy Mehaffey, BSN, RN, clinical program director, Vascular Services, The University of Kansas Health System
There is definitely an increased incidence of varicose veins as you get older.
Other contributing factors can be standing for many years (especially if your job requires standing), sitting for long periods of time, a less active lifestyle, and maintaining a healthy weight.
All procedures done at the Vein Center are done on an outpatient basis, so they can go home the same day.
The staff consists of a number of specialties, so they can handle a large variety of vascular problems.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
The same COVID mutations that are coming up again and again (“COVID variant soup”) has made it hard to predict what we might see as a winter surge.
We need more global surveillance for the sequences. It is very difficult for most people to keep a handle on what the variants are because now we are seeing so many.
With all these variants, currently we are still able to give Remdesivir and Paxlovid for treatment, especially in that outpatient setting. But we are continuing to monitor the ability to still give those monoclonal antibodies for specific types of treatment.
Friday, November 4 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. How does a cell phone app help doctors diagnose a concussion? A group of Blue Valley students are among the first to take a test using a new technology, and it’s one test they actually had fun taking. We’ll show you the benefits for student athletes.
Visit our website, www.kansashealthsystem.com or findadoctor.kansashealthsystem.com.
26 with the active virus today, up from 19 yesterday
4 in ICU, up from 2 yesterday
1 on a ventilator, down from 2 yesterday
20 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, down from 23 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Bob Trapp, varicose vein patient
Bob noticed in the shower one day that his ankle was bleeding profusely. It was the result of a ruptured varicose vein in his leg.
The problem that Bob had was essentially a problem that a lot of patients get as they get older; they develop spider veins and varicose veins. This is due to an issue with the structure of the veins then becoming incompetent and becoming pressurized -- and veins aren't able to withstand that pressure.
Over time as the skin atrophies and gets thinner, these veins get larger and they can spontaneously rupture, which is what happened to Bob. This is a complication of varicose veins that is not uncommon.
Bob had two procedures. The first was removal of the varicose veins in the area. This is done with local anesthetic through a small needle hole which will not leave a scar. It's minimally invasive.
The second procedure was injecting the spider vein with a medication which damages the inside of the vein and causes the vein to then collapse. The body just absorbs the vein with time.
Dr. Rick Arnspiger, vascular surgeon, The University of Kansas Health System
Varicose veins are really weakening of the walls of your veins and the valves of your veins and so when those walls of the veins become weaker, the veins expand, and blood can pull in those veins and cause problems.
Sometimes people have trouble with swelling in their in their lower extremities. They have a significant amount of pain and sometimes the skin becomes so thin that sometimes they can rupture.
There is a genetic link to varicose veins, although a lot of times the varicose veins are acquired. If one of your parents has varicose veins, you have a 40 percent chance of developing them. If both of your parents have varicose veins, that chance increases to 90 percent.
When it comes to previous heart conditions, there is not a direct connection between the arterial system and the venous system. However, it is possible that large varicose veins can cause issues with the heart.
Seeking any further treatment is really depends on symptoms. If people are having a significant amount of pain, trouble walking, and not being able to get around due to varicose veins, they really need to seek medical attention.
Amy Mehaffey, BSN, RN, clinical program director, Vascular Services, The University of Kansas Health System
There is definitely an increased incidence of varicose veins as you get older.
Other contributing factors can be standing for many years (especially if your job requires standing), sitting for long periods of time, a less active lifestyle, and maintaining a healthy weight.
All procedures done at the Vein Center are done on an outpatient basis, so they can go home the same day.
The staff consists of a number of specialties, so they can handle a large variety of vascular problems.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
The same COVID mutations that are coming up again and again (“COVID variant soup”) has made it hard to predict what we might see as a winter surge.
We need more global surveillance for the sequences. It is very difficult for most people to keep a handle on what the variants are because now we are seeing so many.
With all these variants, currently we are still able to give Remdesivir and Paxlovid for treatment, especially in that outpatient setting. But we are continuing to monitor the ability to still give those monoclonal antibodies for specific types of treatment.
Friday, November 4 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. How does a cell phone app help doctors diagnose a concussion? A group of Blue Valley students are among the first to take a test using a new technology, and it’s one test they actually had fun taking. We’ll show you the benefits for student athletes.
Visit our website, www.kansashealthsystem.com or findadoctor.kansashealthsystem.com.
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