Locations
Office
Birmingham, AL
My office hours
Thursday: 7:00am - 4:30pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna
Blue cross blue shield
Humana
United healthcare
First Health PPO
Office
Hoover, AL
About
Bio
BS Biology, Drake University, Des Moines, IA
MD, Univ of Iowa Medical School
Internship, Philadelphia General Hospital
Surgical Residency, UAB, Birmingham, AL
United States Medical Corps, Surgeon, 130th General Hospital, Germany
General Surgical Practice 1976-2005, Birmingham, AL
Phlebology, 2006-Present. Medical Director, Baptist Vein Center, Birmingham, AL
Board Certified in General Surgery (FACS); Diplomate of the American College of Phlebology
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Phlebology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
408 Answers
20 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Several things: Stretching prior going to bed, icing down muscles after exercise or day's end after standing on them all day, drinking quinine water, simple hydration... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
See a doctor: If one reads about easy bruisablity in the medical books, platelet abnormally is high on the list as a cause. The elderly with thin skin will commonl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 56-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Try these things: Cramping in leg muscles come on with tired, irritated muscles, often after long days work on legs, heavy exercise. It can come one when potassium, ca... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Dietary means: Increasing the amount of fiber in diet to levels greater than 25-30 gms daily, hydration, exercise, addition of stool softener daily, avoidance of mar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
No: Proctitis is inflammation about the rectum and anal canal. Thrombosis is blood clot within veins. Hemorrhoidal veins can become thrombosed and the r... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
See urologist: Seeking the help of a urologist who can examine your brown lump, and make a diagnosis is the best way to proceed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Many years: 1-3mm reticular veins are scattered throughout the subcutaneous tissue, and some feed spider veins (hence feeder veins). Vv are >4mm, and can result ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
No: Varicocele can be asymptomatic. Surgery is the only way to rid the problem should it become symptomatic.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Yes: Sv can be treated with sclerotherapy using detergents such as polidocanol, sotradecol; and glycerin. It would be helpful to see a phlebologist (go to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Blood clot in vein: Venous thrombosis can be in veins close to the skin, hence superficial thrombosis or thrombophlebitis, appearing as a painful cord, red, with heat. I... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Yes: Unusual, but this may occur after trauma and those with arterio-venous malformation. Those who are prone to the development of vv in the legs, and wh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Yes: Varicose veins occur because of venous reflux, and flying with prolonged sitting can result in swelling of the legs, and there is a risk for developme... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Couple possibilites: Trauma can injure the wall of the vv, and this weakens the wall. The pressure within the vv dilates this injured area, and a big bump is the result. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Not often: Coumadin (warfarin) has only a few side effects: nausea, rash. Complications from unregulated dosing can cause dark urine due to bleeding in gu trac... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
No: Many have vv with pregnancy, and superficial or deep venous thrombosis is not uncommon. Pregnancy increases the risk of blood clots, and pain over a ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
No: Thermocoagulation is a good method, and you may look into www.Veinwave for more information. Some use sclerotherapy, and others use laser, but there... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Unusual: Guaifenesin is an expectorant and there is no diuretic effect with this medication. It will cause dry mouth, and perhaps the subsequent thirst and dr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
May be aneurysm: Pulsating mass rapidly enlarging may be arterial aneurysm. It would be wise to seek help of your physician for evaluation and treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Blood clot : Dvt is blood clot in the deep venous system located within the muscles of the extremities. Treatment can be watchful waiting (tibial vein clot, gastr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Venous stasis ulcer: Venous insufficiency presents with varying stages. Stage1=spider veins, 2=varicose veins, 3=edema, 4a= stasis changes(brownish pigmentation), 4b=skin... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Don't know : The specifics of romney's plan is not yet known.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Poor emptying: The stomach (gastric) emptys its contents into the duodenum, and this area may be narrowed due to scarring (peptic ulcer), congenital problems. The s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
See phlebologist: www.phlebology.org will provide you information of a phlebologist in your area. Ultrasound of the veins in your legs will give valuable information a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
See phlebologist: Trained vein doctors (phlebologist) can treat vv in an office setting, as one day procedure. Seek help by going to www.Phlebology.Org, and put in you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Yes: Redundancy in the colon can be seen with age, often associated with chronic constipation. Resection can be performed, but usually because the redunda... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Growing pains: Leg pain is probably aching in muscles, and doubt cramping as the cause next time there is complaint, check out area; cramping results in balling up ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
See phlebologist: Leg cramping is a common symptom of venous incompetence. Go to www.Phlebology.Org and see a phlebologist close to you who can evaluate the dad's legs ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
When : When telangiectasia (spider veins) pop (rupture) there is a resultant bruising, purplish-black ofter with a stinging pain in the area. At times the s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
No: Busipirone when taken with warfarin may increase the anticoagulation effect of warfarin, leading to potential for nosebleeds.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Antibiotics: Folliculitis or inflammed/infection of the hair follicle can be cured by course of antibiotics. Some have curly hair resulting in pseudofolliculitis ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Can happen: Spider veins (telangiectasia) in the lower leg can spontaneously burst/bleed. Often happens when standing in the shower or in hot weather when veins ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Complex : Complex situation. If abi 0 pre aortic surgery, and post-op, would expect it to be 0. Rest of procedures done to enhance blood flow to tibial vessel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Diuretics : Diuretics like Lasix (furosemide) may help decrease your leg swelling, but better to look at the causes, and treat them. Venous disease (venous incom... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
7 days: Healing following port placement is about a week, and that is when sutures are generally removed, although many surgeons close wounds with subcuticula... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Maybe: Elevated liver function tests with swelling of the liver often is associated with liver tenderness when palpation is performed just beneath the rib ca... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Definitely abnormal: The common denominator of all the things mentioned resulting in hacking cough is swallowing. During this process you may be aspirating some swallowed... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Several things: Dvt occurs when virchow's triad is satisfied: hemodynamic abnormality (stasis, turbulence) endothelial damage, and hypercoagulability (abnormality in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Means to lose wt.: Lapband is a device that is placed about the stomach to limit the capacity of food entering into the top part of the stomach, giving one the sensation... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Increased pressure: The act of lol results in a valsalva maneuver, where holding of the breath causes increase in the chest pressure. This pressure acts upon the veins i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Soon: With prior history of blood clot (dvt), there is possibility of swelling that will persist, especially if the treatment of the DVT did not include com... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Several things: Tired muscles from heavy exercise, prolonged standing/working on them. Abnormalities in potassium, calcium, magnesium, dehydration, venous disease (v... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
See a Phlebologist: Pregnancy is a risk factor for development of vv, but by 6 weeks postpartum they tend to shrink. If they persist, see a phlebologist and he will be sm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Treat them: Treating sv on the face can be performed nicely with radio frequency devices, laser, and ipl. Dermatologists, phlebologists can help you take care of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Congenital: You were born that way, and often times there are relatives with the same type of vein prominence. The manifestation is made more prominent with stra... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 60-year-old female asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Unlikely: Steroid shots are used for a variety of maladies including joint problems, allergic reaction, breathing problems, etc. And it is unlikely that leg cra... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) interferes with blood flow into the liver substance, especially venous blood coming from the gastrointestinal tract.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Use compression: Compression hose 20-30 mm mercury compression, thigh length, with the help of a butler to help get them on. Circ-aid (juxta-lite) may be easier for y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
Evaluate cause: Leg cramps come on with tired, irritated muscle as a result of venous disease (which causes swelling), heavy exercise, prolonged working/standing. Lo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
See doctor: Constant leakage of urine through vagina. See your doctor who can examine you and help identify the problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:

Dr. James Isobeanswered
Phlebology 56 years experience
See doctor: The location of abdominal pain may help in identifying the problem; however, it is the onset, associated symptoms like nausea, vomiting, character of ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
6
Recommendations
653
Thank you notes
Nov 5, 2014
I have known Dr. Isobe for many years having trained at the same medical institution. He is an accomplished vascular surgeon with expertise in phlebology. I highly recommend him to my patients.
Dr. Ted King
Mar 4, 2013
I can easily recommend Dr. Isobe as a very experienced and expert phlebologist. He is well known for doing excellent work and giving great answers on Healthap.
Dr. Ted King
Mar 4, 2013
I can easily recommend Dr. Isobe as an experienced and expert phlebologist. He is well known for doing excellent work and for his great answers on HealthTap.
HealthTap member
I have had bad hip pain for years now and only 40. They said it was bursitus. I have a hard time making it through a work shift without taki
HealthTap member
Thank you very much. I saw my Doctor and he reckon its just nodes but if I'm worried I can have them removed, I'm just confused. Thanks
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thx! I was just worried b/c a couple spots are up my arm. I wont worry
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
U of Iowa
Graduated 1967MD
Awards
Best Surgical Teacher, Baptist Medical Center, Surgical Residency Program
Most Influential, First Place, Birmingham, AL - Winter
2013
Top Phlebologist, First Place, Alabama - Winter
2013
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