Gray hair and occasional memory loss may be a normal part of aging, but is living in pain also part of getting older?  I have often wondered if this topic has been researched adequately.  I see many patients who report aches and pains that they have come to accept just because of getting older. It is true that wear and tear of our joints in the knees, hips, and feet can lead to occasional aches and pains. This is different from chronic pain that is defined as pain experienced daily f…

It seems to me that we skipped spring almost entirely this year. It feels like yesterday when I was writing my article for our Spring Newsletter! In fairness, I admit that a lot happened during the fleeting moments of the spring season. There were the gut-wrenching moments when my wife was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Excellent care in a timely manner saved her life, and she is recovering amidst flowers, food, and numerous get-well cards from family and friends. She has lost function of th…

Veins are “pipes” that are responsible for returning blood to the heart. Varicose Veins are damaged, swollen, enlarged veins that do not work properly allowing blood to pool in legs. Veins in the legs are far from the heart and must work against the force of gravity to pump blood back towards the heart. Heredity is a common risk factor making veins prone to weakness and failure. Other risk factors include age, pregnancies, prolonged sitting or standing, and history of trauma or clots in legs…

Last week I attended the monthly local medical society meeting at the Benton Club in St. Joseph. The bartender gave me a tour, attempting to squeeze in every highlight of its 100+ year history, while all the other member physicians gathered and greeted each other in the reception hall. Soon we were watching a local cardiologist give a presentation on the use of a non-invasive CT Scan to compute in seconds the risk of a heart attack in patients. As I watched the colorful pictures on the screen…

Because heat dilates the veins, many vein issues worsen during the summertime. With higher temperatures, veins expand leading to more pooling of blood in the legs and problems associated with it such as leg pain, tiredness, leg cramps, swelling (edema) and blood clots. There is also an increased chance of seeing new spider veins. Here are some tips to help you enjoy the warm season. Stay Cool Make sure you wear clothes that won't trap heat. Always use sunblock (SPF 30 or above) not just on…