History of Varicose Vein Surgery, Part 1 | Minnesota

Posted on March 3, 2013 by shucosmetic

The Origin of the word varicose comes from the Greek word, “grapelike”. It was thought to be first used as a medical description by Hippocrates in 460 BC. For over 2000 years mankind has suffered from varicose veins and has been experimenting with many ways to treat the medical problem. For many people it is also a cosmetic issue. Below is a summary of the history of varicose vein treatments and how they evolved through the years in different parts of the world.

The ancient Egyptians described varicose veins as ‘Serpentine Windings’ which were not to be surgically worked on because patients would be ‘head to the ground’. This was the first written account describing a failed attempt at surgery on varicose veins implying that the use of incisions lead to fatal hemorrhaging.

Hippocrates wrote some of the earliest medical descriptions of varicose veins. The Hippocratic Treatises, written in 460 BC took Varicose Vein treatments one step farther. He did not recommend excision but rather compression following multiple punctures. He also believed in cautery. Paulus Aegineta (AD 625-690) favored ligation of the long saphenous vein 200 years before Trendelenberg.

In a medical treatise De Medicina, a Roman physician named Celcus (25 BC – AD 14) described the ligation and excision surgeries, as well as possible complications. Galen (AD 131 – 201), also provided a description of varicose veins and promoted the use of severing the connection of the arteries to veins in order to reduce pain and avoid spreading gangrene. Celsus and Galen were possibly the first to describe ‘phlebectomies‘, a technique still used today. Celsus made multiple incisions 4 fingerbreadths apart, then touched the vein with cautery, grasped it and extracted as much of the vein as possible, double damping and dividing the vein between ligatures. Galen described making 3-6 incisions with a hook and then bandaging the leg. Roman surgeons used to carry scalpels with blunt handles that could be used for dissecting varicose veins, a procedure that was done without any form of anesthetic.

The Roman Caius Marius, who was known as a tyrant, had the varicose vein surgery of his time. After treatment on one leg he declined surgery on the other leg saying ‘I see the cure is not worth the pain’. Obviously having this surgery without anesthetic was not comfortable by any means for the patient.

Oribasius of Pergamum ( 325-405), a Byzantine physician, devoted 3 chapters of text to varicose veins. He described the details of the surgery for varicose veins of the legs included shaving and bathing the leg, followed by marking with small incisions and excising the varicose veins with 1 or 2 hooks along the leg through the small incision.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids in Minneapolis

Posted on March 2, 2013 by shucosmetic

Every year, thousands of individuals in Minnesota are diagnosed with hemorrhoids. The symptoms caused by hemorrhoids are intermittent and get worse gradually. Most people in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas often use over-the-counter topical medications to relieve the discomfort from hemorrhoids.

Severe pain is not a common symptom of internal hemorrhoids because internal hemorrhoid happens in the area above the dentate line that is supplied by the visceral nerve, like those found within the intestines, which sense pressure rather than pain.

As the venous complex of an internal hemorrhoid becomes varicose and continues to enlarge, it bulges into the anal canal and loses its normal anchoring, becoming a prolapsing internal hemorrhoid. The prolapsing hemorrhoid usually returns into the anal canal or rectum on its own, or can be pushed back inside using one’s finger, but usually prolapses again after the next bowel movement. In the anal canal, a hemorrhoid is exposed to movement caused by passing stool, particularly hard stools that can cause bleeding and pain. The painless rectal bleeding with bright red blood is a common symptom of internal hemorrhoids. The rectal mucosal lining that has been pulled down secretes mucus and moistens the anus and its surrounding skin, while the stool itself can also leak onto the anal skin. Itchiness often occurs as a result of this dual presence of stool and moisture.

Rectal itching is the among the most common symptoms of all hemorrhoid types in Minnesota, sometimes it could be so intensive that it affects people’s daily life, especially while walking, doing exercise and even sleeping. Itching and scratching can form the vicious cyclic effect and leads to develop a new disease Pruritic Ani (rectal itching).

In general, symptoms of external hemorrhoids are different than those of internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids can be felt as bulges at the anus, but rarely display any of the same symptoms seen with internal hemorrhoids. They will cause problems, however, if the varicose vein complex ruptures, as blood clots occur and build up the pressure inside the lump. This condition, known as thrombosed external hemorrhoid, causes an extremely painful bluish anal lump and often requires medical attention. The somatic nerve in the anal canal (below the dentate line) can sense pain, this is why the patients feel significant pain when they develop thrombosed external hemorrhoids. thrombosed hemorrhoids may heal with scarring and leave a tag of skin protruding from the anus. Occasionally, the tag turns out to be quite large, which can make anal hygiene (cleaning) difficult or irritate the anus.

We encourage the hemorrhoid patients in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas to seek medical evaluation in specialized clinics once they develop hemorrhoid symptoms. It is easier to treat low grade hemorrhoids earlier than later.

Anti-vasectomy Bills in Some States, not in Minnesota

Posted on March 1, 2013 by shucosmetic

In a ploy to get people to take a serious look at the right for a woman to make decisions about her own body, an anti-vasectomy bill was introduced by state representative Yasmin Neal in the early February 2012. She is quoted as saying, “If we legislate women’s bodies, it’s only fair that we legislate men’s,” said Neal, who said she wanted to Write a bill that would generate emotion and conversation the way anti-abortion bills do. “There are too many problems in the state. Why are you under the skirts of women? I’m sure there are other places to be.”
This bill was written in response to a new anti-abortion bill that was introduced in Georgia that contained a prison sentence of 1-10 years for abortions done after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is currently illegal for abortions to be performed after 20 weeks unless the life or health of the mother will be in jeopardy.

Many people feel that this bill is making light of a very serious topic and are disappointed in the approach of using an anti-vasectomy bill to make a political statement. Even Representative Neal admits that she has no problems with men getting vasectomies. Whether you agree with them or not, you have to admit this is a pretty clever way to make a point. She is definitely getting the attention that she wanted. It is not likely however that this bill will get any serious debate. Other states are also following suit with the same tactic. In the late February, 2012, Rep. Stacey Newman, D-St. Louis, also filed a bill that would prevent men from vasectomies unless needed to avert serious injury or death. We didn’t hear any anti-vasectomy bills in Minnesota.

Vasectomy in Minneapolis

Posted on February 21, 2013 by shucosmetic

With so many options available in terms of birth control for women, many men in Minnesota inquire regarding the availability of other options for male birth control excluding the usual abstinence, condoms, withdrawal before ejaculation, and vasectomy. I would predict that with the fast development of modern medical science in 21th century, just as women do, men will soon be able to simply take a pill to control the release of their sperm.

There are actually much medical research being done in this field; such a market has a high demand. A number of research groups across the globe have tried different alternatives to male birth control. These include injected plugs, heat methods, pharmaceuticals, hormonal therapy, and obstruction of the vas deferens. Despite promising developments, these treatments are experimental , and not approved by FDA , and not worth any potential risks.

Many people in Minneapolis and St Paul areas are still misinformed about vasectomy; it is not as painful and inconveniencing as one may believe. Modern developments in vasectomy have reached a point where a vasectomy can be done in a doctor’s office in less than 20 minutes, using only local anesthesia. The procedure is incredibly simple and pain free- it involves making a small incision in the scrotum, where the vas deferens are severed and prevented from joining back together. Discomfort afterwards is minimal and patients can quickly return to their everyday lives. The patient who gets a “No Scalpel” vasectomy typically feel no change in libido, as vasectomies cause no physical change in sensation, testosterone levels, blood flow to the penis, amount of semen, or satisfaction of an orgasm. The only difference is that the semen has no sperm in it.

Simply put, no scalpel vasectomy is a safe, simple, and convenient method of male birth control with few drawbacks.

Overview of Hemorrhoids in Minneapolis

Posted on February 20, 2013 by shucosmetic

Believe it or not, everyone in Minnesota has a normal hemorrhoidal tissue in their rectum and anus. It’s only when your hemorrhoidal veins enlarge and become varicose veins that they’re considered abnormal or diseased.

There are three types of hemorrhoids – internal, external, and mixed hemorrhoids that consist of both internal and external. External hemorrhoids are those that occur outside the anal verge and affect bowel cleansing after one’s bowel movement, causing skin irritation and itching. A thrombosed external hemorrhoid is usually very painful due to rupture of one’s varicose veins, which causes blood clots and is often accompanied with swelling and irritation. These external hemorrhoids are typically treated with either an incision and removal of the clot, or with an external hemorrhoidectomy performed under local anesthesia.

Internal hemorrhoids are graded from I to IV based on the degree of prolapse. Grade I hemorrhoids bulge with defecation; grade II lesions also bulge with defecation, but then recede spontaneously. Grade III hemorrhoids require digital replacement after prolapsing, while grade IV hemorrhoids cannot be replaced once prolapsed. There are many treatment options for internal hemorrhoids that vary based on the severity of each case.

One Stop Medical Center serves the entire Twin Cities area with 2 offices in Edina and Shoreview and provides one-stop hemorrhoid care with convenience and affordable charges. Our high quality care has helped thousands of hemorrhoid patients in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas over the past 10 years.

Vasectomy and Sexual Heath | Minneapolis

Posted on February 14, 2013 by shucosmetic

Many men in Minnesota worry about how a vasectomy will affect their sex drive. Will I be able to have an erection, or ejaculate? How will it affect being able to have an orgasm? Will I still have a sex drive? The good news is that there is no relationship between a vasectomy and sex drive because there are no physiological changes that take place during a vasectomy, and the testicles and adrenal glands continue to manufacture testosterone hormone. Testosterone also controls masculinity that is why the sex drive and masculinity are not affected by the surgery, either. It will not interfere with the blood vessels or the nerves that are responsible for having an erection and ejaculation. Men after vasectomy in Minneapolis and St Paul areas will still have the same ability to maintain an erection and reach the orgasm. The color and consistency of the semen after vasectomy are not changed since the semen mainly comes from the prostrate and seminal vesicles which are not affected by the vasectomy.

It takes a few months of testing to determine that there are no more sperm present in the semen. Once that is established couples do not have to worry about using another method of birth control. It has been reported by both men and women that their sex life improved after a vasectomy, most of the vasectomy patients in One Stop Medical Center reported similar results. There is no more anxiety over an unplanned pregnancy and the sex drive has not decreased.

Besides the initial mild swelling and aching right after no scalpel vasectomy, most men recover very quickly and return to work in a few days. Very few men in Minnesota may experience occasional mild aching in their testicles during sexual intercourse within a few months of vasectomy.

What a vasectomy does is prevent the sperm from being able to fertilize an egg. A man will no longer be able to father a child. Since a vasectomy is more of a permanent form of sterilization, it should be seriously and thoroughly discussed between husband and wife and medical professionals in the initial counseling, and all concerns such as; lowered sex drive, any pain related to the surgery, and reversibility, should be addressed.

Varicose Veins Can be Quite Painful- Know the Symptoms and Treatment Options in Minneapolis

Posted on February 12, 2013 by admin

Varicose veins is a condition that affects both men and women. Understanding what causes them and what types of treatments are available will assist you in making the best decision.

Varicose veins develop when valves that control the flow of blood suddenly become weak and stop functioning normally. This causes the veins to bulge and take on a gnarled appearance. As the condition worsens it can cause chronic swelling and pain. Cramping during the night is a common symptom. In most people, they will develop this problem in the leg area. Although, it can appear in other parts of the body as well.

Treatment Options for Varicose Veins in Minneapolis

There are three good options for varicose vein treatment in Minnesota.

Endovenous Laser Ablation (ELA)

A treatment that is often used successfully to eliminate varicose veins is ELA. This is a minimally invasive method that involves inserting a laser fiber or catheter into the affected blood vessel. Once inserted, the fiber is heated. This heat causes the vein to collapse. Eventually, the vein disappears altogether.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical treatment that involves injecting a special solution directly into the targeted vein. After several treatments the vein shrinks away. This has proven to work very well on spider veins.

Micro-Phlebectomy

During micro-phlebectomy the doctor makes tiny micro-incisions into the veins with a special tool. A portion of the vein is removed. This may be done along with other treatments.

When looking for the best treatment for varicose vein in St. Paul, Minnesota seek out a medical professional with a proven record of success. All three of these treatments require skill and proper training. ELA and Sclerotherapy are minimally invasive and do not cause much discomfort. Micro-phlebectomy requires the use of local anesthesia.

You can relieve your suffering from varicose veins and begin enjoying life again.

March Madness is upon us and it brings Vasectomy Madness in Minnesota

Posted on February 6, 2013 by admin

NCAA Basketball tournament time seems to be a very popular time for vasectomies. Some clinics in the nation report a 50% increase in vasectomies at that time. Men in Minnesota can do two things at once; recover from their vasectomy and catch some great basketball action. The recovery time for a no-scalpel vasectomy is usually a day or two of rest and using ice packs. What a great way to watch some guilt free basketball knowing that the “to do” list will need to wait. If March is the month you are looking at getting your procedure done, you may want to set up your appointment early.

It just may become a trend in vasectomies in Minneapolis and St Paul areas. Pick your favorite sport and time your procedure with the games you want to watch. It may be the World Series, The Super Bowl or the Stanley Cup playoffs that you want to watch with your wife’s approval during your recovery time. Dr. Steven Shu, of One Stop Medical Center in Edina, MN said that so far he has not noticed a trend with vasectomies in Minnesota and the NCAA Basketball tournament. Maybe that is something that he will use for advertising down the road for his vasectomy procedures.

Vasectomy Techniques | Minneapolis & St Paul

Posted on January 27, 2013 by admin

There are quite a few vasectomy techniques to choose from – traditional vasectomy, no-scalpel vasectomy, laser vasectomy and clip vasectomy. Below is a rundown of how each vasectomy method is performed in Minneapolis and St Paul areas.

Traditional

The traditional vasectomy is a small surgical procedure performed in a surgical center or doctor’s office that typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. Using a scalpel, your doctor makes 1-2 small incisions in the skin of the scrotum to access each testicle’s vas deferens tubes. The tubes are then lifted, cut, and tied or cauterized. The cut tubes are placed back into the scrotal sac before each incision is stitched up, and the sutures are removed in a week. Patients who undergo a traditional vasectomy typically experience more pain and swelling and longer recovery time due to more trauma, bleeding and sutures. Fewer surgeons learn the traditional vasectomy technique nowadays.

Laser

Most of the steps involved for a laser vasectomy are the same as those of a traditional vasectomy. Incisions must first be made in the scrotal skin so that your doctor can access the vas deferens tubes. After the tubes are lifted, a laser is usually used to cut the tubes or stop any bleeding, or a smaller laser wire is used to coagulate the lining of the vas tubes. However, because a laser is not actually needed, there is no significant advantage to using one for a vasectomy. The name “laser vasectomy” is used more for marketing purposes than for actual procedure benefits. Most vasectomies are usually performed with a battery-operated disposable eye cautery.

Clip

The vas clip idea is not new. The use of clips, or permanent staple-like devices, was expected to shorten a vasectomy’s overall procedure time without actually cutting the tubes. These clips cost the patients extra money, typically a few hundred dollars for titanium clips. Studies have also reported that the Vasclip is less effective than the no-scalpel vasectomy for reducing sperm count. To date, there is insufficient evidence showing that the Vasclip is better than a standard vasectomy or offers any known advantages compared to no-scalpel vasectomy techniques. Some insurance companies consider this procedure to be investigational and will not pay for it.

No-Scalpel

Developed in China in the 1970s, the no-scalpel technique is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require a large skin cut or sutures. In the past few decades, it has become increasingly popular around the world, as it is considered a more gentle vasectomy technique that minimizes bruising and discomfort. Other advantages include less noticeable scars and quicker recovery time.

While a scalpel is not used for this method, an opening must still be made in order to access the vas deferens tubes. Under local anesthesia, your doctor uses a specially designed sharp hemostat to penetrate the skin. After he locates and holds the tubes using a small ring clamp, he uses same hemostat to separate the tissue layers and pull the tubes out; the tubes are cut and cauterized a battery-operated disposable eye cautery, and a tiny metal clip is applied to each vas fascia to separate the ends and improve the effectiveness. After placing the tubes back into the scrotal sac, your doctor usually allows the openings to close on their own since the incisions are significantly smaller than those of a traditional vasectomy procedure.

One Stop Medical Clinic in Edina and Shoreview specializes in the office procedure offering the minimally invasive no scalpel vasectomy. Dr. Shu has performed hundreds of no scalpel vasectomy without any complications. Please call our office at 952-922-2151 to have the initial consultation to answer all your questions.

Shu Procedure Clinic Treats Nail Fungus for Minneapolis Residents

Posted on January 20, 2013 by admin

Nail fungus in Minneapolis is a very common problem. Nail fungus, which is also referred to as onychomyosis, can cause the nails to darken in color. The fungus can also cause the nails to develop a foul smell. Even though nail fungus in St. Paul area is very common, many people are embarrassed to seek treatment. However, if you have nail fungus, then you will need to get it treated as soon as possible.

If this condition is not treated, then the fungal infection can spread to the other nails. It can also spread to your skin. Furthermore, if the fungal infection is on your toenails, then you may begin to have trouble putting on your shoes and walking.

The good news is that there is laser treatment available to treat nail fungus. Laser treatment can be completed in 10 minutes. It does not cause any pain. There have been clinical studies done to confirm that laser treatment is about 87 percent effective at clearing up nail fungus. Furthermore, because laser treatment does not require the use of drugs, there are no long-term side effects associated with it.

If you are interested in getting nail fungus treatment in Minnesota, then you should contact Dr. Steven Shu. His office is open Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

There are several things that you can do to avoid getting nail fungus in the future. After you wash your feet, you need to make sure that you dry them off thoroughly. Fungus infections can very easily spread in public places, so you should not walk around in any public place without wearing shoes. You will also need to change your socks at least once a day. Furthermore, you should wear shoes that fit properly.