The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 22

C4 Tuesday, September 29, 1992 The Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Constitution mini i Varicose vein sufferers getting some relief it I 1 4 A to) 111- mx j. Vein Clinics of America Legs afflicted by varicose veins (left) can be restored to a health appearance by various treatments, including sclerotherapy. (NASP) a group of physicians who promote analysis and treatment of venous disease. The most promising advances have come in the treatment method known as sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a chemical solution into enlarged veins, causing them to shrink shut The flow of blood is diverted to other vessels. Proponents of sclerotherapy have long touted its advantages over surgery, which requires hospitalization, anesthesia and lengthy recovery.

Recovery time with sclerotherapy is far shorter, and patients typically resume normal activity immediately following a treatment The cost of sclerotherapy can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars about one-third the cost of surgery and patients resume normal activity immediately following injection treatment When it is done for cosmetic purposes, sclerotherapy patients usually have to pay for it themselves. Insurance generally covers the treatment only when doctors deem it medically necessary. Forgoing treatment Detractors of the injection method say its risks include allergic reaction, skin discoloration and discomfort. Moreover, they deem sclerotherapy ineffective against large varicose veins. Many shy away from treatment altogether, comfortable neither with surgery nor sclerotherapy.

Now, a greater selection of chemicals, improved methods of injecting them, and advances in diagnosis and treatment make sclerotherapy increasingly popular among once-wary, physi-, cians and sufferers. Janet Seebeck, a 42-year-old Chattanooga hairstylist, has suffered from leg ulcers since 1977, a back-draining of blood that results in an open sore around the ankles. "I wish I could describe the pain," said Mrs. Seebeck. "There were times when it was so inflamed, I couldn't By Donald E.

Winbush FOR THE jOURNAL-CONSTmmON A hundred years have passed since the German surgeon Friedrich Trendelenburg developed a clever way to determine the source of his patients' troublesome varicose veins. He simply had them lie supine while he tied a tourniquet around their upper thighs, then watched the pattern and timing of the blood as it drained into the diseased veins after the patients stood and the tourniquets were released. The Trendelenburg Test is still used today, though it is complemented by an array of more sophisticated evaluation techniques. But varicose veins linked to heredity, traumatic injury, pregnancy, aging, and occupations that require lots of standing are still troublesome for many people. Experts estimate that 60 percent of adults in the United States are affected by varicose veins, a term usually applied to swollen or enlarged superficial veins in the legs.

Most varicose veins don't require medical treatment and are simply unsightly to some people. But about 10 percent of all sufferers have symptoms ranging from cramps, severe inflammation, skin ulcerations, ropelike bulges and disability. The disorder strikes when veins nearest the skin do a sloppy job of forwarding blood to deeper leg veins. The cause is bad valves within the veins. Rather than help the blood climb uphill, the valves leak, allowing blood to flow backward and pool in the veins.

There is no way yet to repair bad valves, so continuing treatment often is necessary. But improved treatment methods have turned the battle against the ugly vessels into a fight that favors sufferers. "These days, there are much better ways of diagnosing varicose veins and of planning their treatment," said Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman, a dermatologic surgeon and president of the North American Society of Phlebology Dr.

Terrance Walsh, who opened injects sotradecol, which is followed i A stand for it to be touched." Under the care of more than a half-dozen doctors, Mrs. Seebeck endured a series of treatments, from ointments and antibiotics to a castlike apparatus called an Unna boot No treatment proved satisfactory for long. The most promising advances have come in the treatment known as sclerotherapy. "I had really lost hope there was anything that could be done to really make it well," she said. "One doctor assured me there was just no healing it, that eventually I would lose my leg." Mrs.

Seebeck sought sclerotherapy three months ago. Her ulcer is nearly healed after the first phase of treatment compression wrapping to help, force blood from the infected area, and doctor's orders to walk an hour daily, which aids blood circulation. The next phase of treatment will include injections to close off the defective veins. Dr. Clarence E.

McDanal a Birmingham psychiatrist, had sclerotherapy four years ago as an alternative to surgery, which he had tried earlier. "I 'think it's something people should know about" he said. Dr. McDanal, 48, first noticed veins bulging from both legs as a teen. He still bears unsightly scars from surgery to have a varicose vein stripped from his leg when he was 26.

But when subsequent problems developed, Dr. McDanal opted for injection therapy, which he had in 1988 and again earlier this year. The treatments relieved the tiredness in his legs. Recovery was speedy, and he suffered no scarring. Ultrasound enhances diagnosis Both Mrs.

Seebeck and Dr. I IN THE NEWS SUPERMODEL WORKOUT: The October Cosmopolitan (S2.S0) gives a preview of the workout video "Cindy Crawford Shape Your Body" (Good-Times Home Video, which comes out today. The October Runner's World ($2.95) includes the annual guide to buying shoes. Runners can Vote in the magazine's first contest to determine the nation's favorite road races. The categories are marathon, non-marathon and small (fewer than 1,000 runners).

BODY CLOCK DONT BLAME IT ON FALL It only seems like arthritis acts up when the weather changes, researchers say. studies, one at the University of Pennsylvania and one by Dutch researchers, found no connection be tween arthritis aches and changing weather, though research did confirm that arthritis patients are most comfortable in a warm, dry climate. But don't start packing. Moving might lead to stress, loneliness, allergies or changes in diet and water supplyand that might aggravate the condition. GIZMOS GADGETS STICK WITH IT: The Exerstik is the newest, safest way to tone, stretch and strengthen muscles without heavy, expensive equipment.

Designed to conform to correct posture, alignment and body form, the stick is 66 inches long and weighs 33 pounds. Introduced by actress Farrah Faw-cett, the Exerstik is $24.95. For information or to buy, call 800-393-7784. Actress Farrah Fawcett is promoting the Exerstik. NUTRITION CHOCOLATE ACHES: A study I shows that scientists and chocoholics alike may have to face the bittersweet truth that chocolate can trigger painful niigraines.

Working with 20 migraine sufferers who were convinced that chocolate brought on their attacks, biochemist Vi-vette Glover and colleagues at the Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in London tested the premise. Twelve of the subjects ate real choco late and eight received a placebo made with carob and peppermint In taste tests, no one could tell the difference. The results told "a different story. Within 24 hours of eating the bars, Ave chocolate eaters tame down with headaches, but none of in the control group did. "So the patients were right all along," Dr.

Glov-esays. tHlie chemical culprit in chocolate remains a mystery. Dr. Glover points to two suspects: catechin, a compound fcBo found in red wine, and theobromine, a caffeinelike compound also tound in coffee. Dr.

Glover speculates the quantity of chocolate In a food may be a factor. HELP YOURSELF NEW LOOK: "Health Matters" on I Saturday will discuss how to "Re-cre- late the Body" through plastic surgery. and reconstructive surgeons jjphn Culbertson and Foad Nahal will explain reconstructive and cosmetic surgery options as well as procedures likely to be available in the future. The program will air at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m.

Oct. 7 on Geor gia Public Television. Registered nurses will be available 58:30 a.m.-S p.m. Monday-Friday to answer viewers' questions. Call 727-4444.

r. (Si il I It V1-' McDanal are treated at the Atlanta office of Vein Clinics of America, a national for-profit chain that has treated 30,000 outpatients at 18 offices using "refined compression sclerotherapy." The procedure, developed by Chica-goan Dr. Brian McDonagh, uses tiny needles to inject a detergent solution, compression wrapping and walking. "Some of our clients have spent 10 years or more looking for help," said Dr. Terrance Walsh, who opened Vein Clinics' Atlanta office in 1988.

The which heavily advertises its services, treats about 1,000 patients annually who come here from all over the Southeast. The NASP says sclerotherapy, surgery and external compression are appropriate treatments. It contends that many attitudes about the treatment of venous disease do not take into account more recent advancements proved in' Europe and Canada, where phlebology; has long been a recognized medical; specialty. Diagnosis of venous disease is en-; hanced now by Doppler ultrasound which can detect and assess defective veins by letting doctors listen to the flow of blood, and by photoplethysmo graphy, a light reflective technology that helps diagnose problems with valve function deep within the legs. The past five years has brought greater use of direct visualization technology.

Using Duplex ultrasound, doctors can get a two-dimensional look inside the diseased veins and can see leaky valves. Results: fewer, more precise injections. Sclerotherapy requires doctors to have sharp diagnostic skills, competence at selecting the appropriate injection solution, and a deft injection technique. The NASP advises consumers to be wary of doctors with little training and who load patients with unnecessary tests, adding to treatment costs. KIMBERLY SMITHStalf 1st Church team.

"I'm so heavy 235 pounds, my main job Is to talk opponents out of shooting the ball. Several times a week he also practices and plays pickup games at the Southwest Branch YMCA "Running up arid (town the court Is the Ideal way to shake my weight around." Furthermore: He vows to slim down, get foster and return to playing guard, as he did at Dlllard High School In Fort Lauderdale. To that end, he's started to diet Atypical day: half a grapefruit for breakfast; tuna fish and crackers for lunch; two hot dogs, broccoli, carrots and Ice cream for dinner. He also squeezes In a four-mile walk and jog several mornings a week. AlanPatmau WORKING INWORKING OUT This Is a weekly Tuesday feature on how Atlantans keep fit and healthy.

Nutritional benefits of milk pediatrician says Xs- JEAN SHIFRINSttft Vein Clinics' Atlanta office in 1988, by compression and a short walk. The American Diabetes Association has said more research is needed. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended earlier this year against giving whole cow's milk to infants during the first year. It has not made any recommendations regarding drinking milk after age 1 and was not consulted by the physicians' group. Chris Lekos, a Food and Drug Administration spokesman, disputed assertions that about a third of milk products are contaminated with traces of antibiot-.

ics. Based on data from 46 state regulatory agencies, 0.08 percent of raw milk and 0.02 percent of pasteurized milk samples showed drug residue, he said. Dr. Oski said milk's reputation as a calcium-rich food that will help children grow big and strong is also largely undeserved. Only 25 percent of the calcium in milk is absorbed by the while other foods, such as kale, broccoli or fish, provide more calcium without the fat in milk, he said.

Dr. Spock said in a telephone interview that he had been "enthusiastic" about milk up until the last edition of his book "Baby and Child Care," the bible of child-rearing for many parents. "What I didnt know and other people didn't know is that it can be harmful to some children," he said. He urged, however, that parents not overreact "I don't think we should go from en-, thusiasm about milk to scaring the be-jeebers out of parents," Dr. Spock said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Baltimore A leading pediatrician Monday urged parents to re-evaluate how much milk they give their children, saying its nutritional benefits are overrated and warning that milk can even sometimes be harmful. Frank A. Oski, director of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University, said cow's milk often is contaminated with traces of antibiotics, can cause allergies and digestive problems, and has been linked in a recent study to juvenile diabetes. "There is nothing unique about milk, regarding its nutritional benefits, that should make you want to drink it" Dr. Oski said.

"Most of us have been victims of the American dairy industry." Dr. Oski was to appear at a news conference today in Boston with Dr. Benjamin Spock, who once touted the benefits of milk, and Dr. Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The nonprofit association of 2,000 doctors nationwide promotes preventive medicine and alternatives to animal research.

The National Dairy Council, government researchers and other medical organizations either rejected the group's assertions or distanced themselves from the claims. A study published in July in the New England Journal of Medicine said drinking cow's milk during infancy may trigger juvenile diabetes in people who are genetically prone to the disease. ry Washington, 33 Homemaker He calls himself "Mr. Mom" this year, raising his two preschool tots while his wife pursues her nursing career. "It's not macho, but It saves on day care and keeps me busier than ever," says the former Atlanta juvenile detention officer.

Every morning he drops to the floor with Gabri Elle, 3, and Jerald, I ft, to gyrate with Barney the purple dinosaur on WGTVChannet 8's and Friends." But for serious exercise he reverts to the -sport of his Florida youth. Favorite workout Basketball. He plays power forward with the West End Seventh Day Advent- i rrwrn wit wm ricm ciribc 1.