Chronic Venous Insufficiency

What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)?

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Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a medical condition in which the veins in the body are unable to pump oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart, often resulting in chronic swelling in the legs.

How is CVI related to Varicose Veins?

As varicose vein symptoms worsen, there is increased backflow (reflux) of blood, which causes swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs. This is followed by discoloration around the ankles and feet. Left untreated, this may result in stasis dermatitis (dry, flaky rash), phlebitis (blood clots), and ulcers (skin sores).

Due to increased pressure of blood in the legs, even a minor injury may result in profuse bleeding. Poor circulation may cause frequent skin infections and sores that do not heal.

Without treatment, CVI can worsen and lead to leg swelling, skin discoloration, bleeding varicose veins, recurrent skin infections, blood clots and poorly healing sores (ulcers):

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Varicose Vein Treatments are coved by insurance including Medicare and Medicaid

• VEIN DISEASE - OVERVIEW
• Varicose Veins
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency
• Blood Clots
• Spider Veins
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Edema (swelling)
• Infection / Leg Ulcers
• Neuropathy

A recent survey, conducted by the National Science Foundation, reported that Americans are the unhappiest they’ve been in 50 years. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns, economic instability, and political unrest are enough to overwhelm anyone.

But how does one boost their level of happiness amidst a relentless pandemic? I believe that there are ways to stay healthy and achieve fulfillment in life if we focus on our priorities. I present to you, arguably, the two most important factors backed by science to help navigate through tumultuous times.

Stay Connected with Loved Ones

Harvard University conducted the longest study of adults for clues to leading healthy and happy lives. Analysis of the data collected over the course of 80+ years revealed startling information. Researchers reported that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships have a powerful influence on our health.

In his TED talk, Robert Waldinger, Director of the Harvard Study, states that many people tend to think that fame, fortune, and hard work will bring them happiness. The study found that social connections are the most important factor responsible for our well-being. Numerous other equally surprising correlations came out of this study, such as people’s level of satisfaction with their relationships at age 50 was a better predictor of physical health than their cholesterol levels were, and that marital satisfaction has a protective effect on mental health.

Waldinger stated in his TED talk, “Good relationships don’t just protect our bodies; they protect our brains”.  He reported that those who kept warm relationships were found to live longer and happier while the loners tended to die earlier.

Take Care of Your Health

Many people are delaying their medical care waiting for normalcy to return, which is actually nowhere in sight. Another report indicated that 80% of adults are concerned about catching the Covid-19 virus in the emergency room and avoid seeking care, even during an emergency.

Several studies have shown that being happy has a positive impact on our health, correlating to a 13-26% reduction in the risk of heart disease., ,  One doesn’t need scientific evidence to recognize that happiness can be elusive in absence of good health. In fact, the constitution of the World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being”.

At an organic level, we are composed of countless cells, each performing a function while subject to growth, repair, and replacement within our body. Cells form tissue that in turn form organ systems such as skin, brain, and the vascular system.

Food is necessary for the cell to function, hence a person needs to have a balanced diet. Likewise, adequate sleep, regular exercise, and management of stress ensure proper bodily functions. The slightest breakdown in one part of our body can adversely affect various organ systems, interfering with our ability to enjoy a fulfilling happy life. Breakdown in the venous system in our legs is no exception to the interconnectedness.

Although vein problems affect almost half of the adult population, there are many who are living with heaviness in their legs, chronic fatigue, leg cramps, and restlessness in their legs but unaware of the association.

Discomfort in the legs and the inability to get a restful sleep at night due to restless leg syndrome has a compounding effect leading to a further reduction in the ability to stay active. Reduction in the activity of the calf pump leads to worsening of chronic venous insufficiency. One can see how this forms a self-perpetuating cycle leading to the deterioration of overall health and feeling of well-being.

To make matters worse, patients are unable to make a correlation between veins and their symptoms often confusing spider veins with the diseased veins present deep inside the leg responsible for chronic venous insufficiency. Left untreated, the condition continues to worsen and may manifest as frequent skin infections (cellulitis), profuse bleeding, poorly healing sores in the legs, and life-threatening blood clots.

Gone are the days of painful vein stripping with prolonged recovery times. The latest treatment options such as Laser ablation, Varithena, and the revolutionary Venaseal (medical superglue) are minimally invasive, safe, and very effective. There is minimal to no discomfort during the procedures and there is no downtime. You can start the New Year with healthy, pain-free beautiful legs.

Always remember that life is a beautiful journey… and you will need your legs for it!

Sam Gupta, M.D., MPH

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My name is Lawerence Matt; I go by Larry Matt. My partner and I run a restaurant here in St. Joe and we have for 32 years: The Cabbage Roll, a german restaurant. Very good, excellent food. I cook all the time and Andy helps me cook.

What were your symptoms? How did they affect your daily life?

I could hardly walk. I started with a cane, walking with a cane. Then I went to a walker, then I went to a wheel chair. I just couldn’t get around, period. And so I went to the hospital here in St. Joe, they sent us to Kansas City, then they sent us to Mayo [Clinic] in Rochester [MN]. They told me ‘The only thing you can do is go home and do physical therapy’. And I did physical therapy for like a month, which it helped a little bit, but I still couldn’t get around the way I knew I should be able to get around.

How did you hear about Alsara Vein Clinic?

So, then Bill and Sharon Luce told me about the doctor, [Dr.] Gupta, and said ‘They’ve done wonders with my legs. Why don’t you go try them?’ So I did, and this is the first place that ever did anything. It just was wonderful.

How did you feel during and after your treatment?

The first time he worked on my legs… I never could walk [before]. I had to go and use the scooters in stores and that, and after he did the first treatment, we went to Sam’s Club – I walked the whole store; went to Walmart – I walked the whole store. Of course, I was exhausted, but at least I could do it! And that was wonderful.

What was your first impression of Alsara Vein Clinic?

Out here was really the first time anybody actually said something was wrong. Nobody ever told me anything was wrong [before], and I knew something was. After the first consultation, it was just wonderful, you know, he’s so personable. He’s really a nice guy.

How did you feel during and after your treatment?

Well, during the procedure, I was skeptical to say the least. And then I said ‘Well, what are you going to do? How exactly are you going to do these veins in my legs’? And, so, he told me and, you know, I thought ‘well, that’s kinda goofy what you have to do to ‘em’ [laughs]! But it was great. I mean, he put some glue [VenaSeal™] in some of them, and put… [laughing] he had this can of stuff [Varithena®], foam stuff, and I said ‘hell, that foam stuff, I can go to Lowe’s and get a can of that stuff you spray for your house for cracks, ha ha ha!’

I had some pain, but not much. It was really, really kinda painless almost compared to some of the other stuff [other] people wanted to do, but it was fine. There wasn’t a lot that had to be done, really, for after-treatment care. I mean, I’d just… I’d come back here and they’d check me over [with ultrasound] and everything was fine. Yeah, after it was finished, we went to… and I walked the whole store – I didn’t need to use a cane, a walker, or my wheelchairs. It was really wonderful just walkin’ around, not having to… I mean, I love the scooters, though; they’re fun… but I didn’t have to use any of them, that was the best part. If I needed to, I had them all, but I didn’t have to use them.

How would you describe Dr. Gupta?

Dr. Gupta’s very professional and he knows what he’s doing. He explains everything to you; with a lot of doctors, they really don’t do that anymore. But, yeah, he’d stand there or sit there and he would explain to me what he was going to do, which I like that, and he had monitors that you could watch what he was doing. It was really, really nice.

What was your impression of the staff at Alsara Vein Clinic?

Oh, your staff is wonderful. They treat you like family. They’re really great. Kati, she’s kinda goofy, ha ha ha, but she’s good, ha ha ha! But, yeah, your staff is wonderful.

How did you feel after your treatment?

This is the only place that they’ve actually helped me, was here with Dr. Gupta at your vein clinic. I mean, nobody else really helped me do something with my legs except Dr. Gupta. I finally got answers as to why this is going on with my legs, so that was great, too.

How have the treatments changed your life?

The treatments have changed my life. I’m able to walk and do things I couldn’t do over a year ago. I can walk, I can do… I can’t dance yet, but I never could dance, so [laughs] that didn’t help much! But, ah, no, it was great.

How was your insurance coverage?

I never had a single problem with insurance coverage, not a bit. They just take care of it. Well, because I have a primary which is Medicare, and then I have my supplement, And, no, there have never been any questions with the insurance at all. So that’s wonderful, too [laughs].

Would you recommend Alsara Vein Clinic to family or friends?

Oh, yes, I’ve mentioned it to everybody that has something wrong with their legs to come out here. At least get a [free] consultation, you know. But I know they can do wonders for you.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

The best thing about Dr. Gupta is that he explains everything to you. Not like some doctors that don’t do that. And he said ‘Your veins in your legs are just like highways, where you have some that have off-ramps’ – all kinds of stuff like that – ‘and we’re going to block it off, and in this vein, we’re going to put stuff in [VenaSeal™] so that it starts coming out this vein.’ The way he explained it ‘like a highway’ you can understand what he means, and that was great that way. He explains everything to you – I like that. And he knew right away what the heck was wrong [with my legs]. Well, how come one doctor knows that, and none of these other doctors know anything about it? So, I came out here [to Alsara Vein Clinic] and been out here ever since – not going to anybody else, ha ha ha ha ha!

Swelling in the legs can be a sign of poorly functioning veins in the legs. When veins fail, blood that normally flows upwards toward the heart is pulled by gravity to pool inside the legs. The backflow, called venous reflux, strains the vein walls and blood plasma leaks out into the surrounding space in the legs leading to swelling in the feet, ankles, and calves. Leg swelling and associated skin changes are termed chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

Modern treatment options available for the treatment of the diseased veins are safe, effective, and require no downtime. Almost all insurance companies offer coverage for the treatment of symptomatic vein problems.

Edema is primarily noted at the end of the day that improves with leg elevation. Left untreated, the accumulation of fluid inside the legs overwhelms the lymphatic system which works as a safety valve to move excess fluid out of the legs and becomes phlebolymphedema. Fluid accumulation in the leg is a combination of plasma and protein-rich fluid that triggers an inflammatory reaction and fibrosis (hardening of the skin and soft tissue) which is irreversible. Treatment of lymphedema is limited to manual compression therapy and lifelong use of compression garments.

Neuropathy in Legs? – Could be due to failed veins

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Varicose Vein Treatments are coved by insurance including Medicare and Medicaid

• VEIN DISEASE - Overview
• Varicose Veins
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency
• Blood Clots
• Spider Veins
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Edema (swelling)
• Infection / Leg Ulcers
• Neuropathy

President Donald Trump was recently diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). His diagnosis has sparked renewed interest in this common yet often overlooked condition. Many patients are now asking important questions: What is CVI? Is it serious? Who gets it? How is it treated? Let’s dive right in.

What is CVI?

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Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a medical condition in which the veins in the legs don’t function properly, making it difficult to pump blood back to the heart. This leads to circulation problems and a variety of leg symptoms.

In the early stages, symptoms may be subtle such as heaviness, fatigue, aching, throbbing, itching, or burning in the legs. As the condition progresses, due to inadequate blood flow to calf muscles patients may experience leg cramps (often called “Charley horses”) or restlessness at night (Restless Leg Syndrome).

Without treatment, CVI can worsen and lead to leg swelling, skin discoloration, bleeding varicose veins, recurrent skin infections, blood clots and poorly healing sores (ulcers)

How Common is CVI?

CVI is extremely common, affecting 10–35% of adults in the U.S. Both men and women are at risk, but women often develop symptoms earlier due to pregnancies and hormonal changes. In fact, nearly 40% of women over age 50 have some degree of CVI.

Risk factors include family history of vein disease, age and prolonged standing or sitting

Treatment of CVI

In the past, treatment for CVI often required invasive vein stripping surgery in a hospital, followed by a long and painful recovery. Thankfully, modern medicine has transformed vein care.

Today, CVI can be treated in the comfort of an office setting with minimally invasive procedures. Diseased veins are safely closed, restoring healthy circulation. Patients typically return to normal activities immediately with no downtime, and minimal discomfort. Many notice improvements in their legs as soon as the next day.

A quick, painless duplex ultrasound can diagnose CVI, and your vein specialist will review personalized treatment options. Almost all insurance plans including Medicare cover treatment of symptomatic vein disease.

Call Alsara Vein Clinic today at 816-396-0245 for a Consultation. We offer same-day appointments.

Sclerotherapy Treatments

Varicose Veins Treatment using Varithena^®

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• VEIN TREATMENT - OVERVIEW
• Varicose Vein Treatments
• – Laser
• – VenaSeal
• Sclerotherapy
• – Varithena
• Spider Vein Treatments
• Microphlebectomy

As living beings, we are part of the natural world and interdependent. As you rest and renew, you can also better meet the needs of those who depend on you. My sister passed away recently and unexpectedly at the young age of 56. Anyone who has lost a loved one knows the intense sense of loss and emotional pain that is involved in the grieving process. The absence of the person who contributed so much to your life is deeply felt while you bereave. In fact, the term bereavement means “to be deprived of someone through death”.

In pursuit of spiritual healing, my wife and I toured some small, quaint towns nestled in the Himalayan Mountains, also the home of many Buddhist monks. It was then that I realized if you befriend nature, it reciprocates with its timeless beauty and power of healing. From the radiant sun to the ice-cold water of the countless streams and the vibrant colored flowers to the succulent fruits native to the region, one must experience personally to fully appreciate it.

Due credit goes to our energetic and young tour guide, a native to the Himalayan region, who enjoyed narrating history, pausing only when he sensed that his audience in the back seat were napping. He shared stories of his childhood, growing up in a family where his father was a truck driver who had to quit working due to severe recurrent leg cramps and swelling in his legs. Having turned “black and brown”, his legs were set to be amputated by a local surgeon; however, a knowledgeable dermatologist recognized the features of chronic venous insufficiency and actually performed a phlebectomy (removal of veins). Although the legs were saved, his father continues to live with swelling and debilitating leg pain. Over the years, his condition took a toll on the family and his father resorted to alcohol abuse.

Since I was on a retreat to nurture my own spirituality far from the realms of modern medicine that I left behind in America, I maintained silence. Nevertheless, at the conclusion of my trip in the Himalayas, I shared with the tour guide how minimally invasive procedures such as EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) allow us to easily correct the circulatory problems caused by venous insufficiency in the legs. He appeared astonished to hear that a simple, 1-hour procedure could have potentially restored full function to his father’s leg.

When we are faced with loss, it is sometimes difficult to feel a sense of gratitude in our lives, yet I had another opportunity to recognize the blessings soon after. Upon conclusion of the 10-day trip, as we made our way through the airport security checkpoints, I crossed paths with a security officer who politely asked me to stretch out my arms while he whisked his “magic wand”, checking for any metal items. In doing so, I struck up a casual conversation with him about how busy the airport was and, out of habit, mumbled about the adverse effects of gravity on blood flow in legs. This astute officer was quick to recognize that I was a Physician and appeared eager to know my area of expertise. His eyes lit up when he learned that I specialized in the treatment of venous leg disorders. He shared that his father has severe swelling, tingling sensation, and numbness in his legs that had already caused numerous falls and injuries. I explained how swelling in the legs was the most specific sign of underlying, chronic venous insufficiency. The tingling and numbness experienced in the feet are often caused by the mechanical pressure of the fluid that builds up throughout the day in the legs. I offered him my business card so that he could contact my office for further guidance (and to avoid holding up the security line!). I had never imagined that a 30-second airport security screening could culminate in a varicose vein consultation.

The loss of my sister has brought my family closer together, all with a deeper sense of compassion and appreciation for the loved ones in our lives. Hence, even through loss and grief, the blessings continue. Without grief, there is little appreciation for joy. Although my sister leaves behind a void, her absence has propelled me to a spiritual path for a more meaningful existence. Life is still a beautiful journey after all!

If you are concerned about varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency., leg pain, leg cramps, tingling, numbness, swelling, discoloration, or leg sores that are slow to heal, call Alsara Vein Clinic at 816-396-0245 to set up a Consultation today.

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My name is Tracy Clements and I’m from around here, about 30 minutes from here. I suffered several injuries from a car accident years ago, and I recently found out about this place [Alsara Vein Clinic], and I wanted to come here and see oof they could help.

What were your symptoms? How did they affect your daily life?

I was having CVI (Chronic Venous Insufficiency), swelling of the legs, heaviness of my foot and my lower leg, and a lot of tiredness, heaviness, but also ulcers and skin breakdown. Actually, I was having these pains and these symptoms for years and years, and I neglected to treat it or take care of it because I thought that was the way it was suppose to be and that was just something I was going to have to deal with because of the care accident I was in. My car accident was in 1993 – twenty-eight years ago.

But, my Primary Care… after several bouts with Cellulitis and trying to fight it off with antibiotics, we were having some success, but we continued to revert back to the Cellulitis two [or] three times-a-year.

How did you hear about Alsara Vein Clinic?

And that’s when she recommended that I come to see Dr. Gupta at Alsara Vein Clinic, and she thought that would be a much safer and reliable source for more of a permanent fix on my leg. And I followed her advice and came in for a [free] consultation.

What was your first impression of Alsara Vein Clinic?

I was extremely impressed with not only the staff but Dr. Gupta, himself, was very knowledgeable and patient with me. And they let me know that there could be a lot of relief and [that] there was help. And that made me feel just great about coming here.

How did you feel during the treatment?

I was, um… during the treatment – the mapping and the treatments – they were almost pain-free for me. And I have a unique situation with my leg versus a lot of people: I’ve had a lot of broken bones and hardware put in my body and my veins are really messed up. And it wasn’t near as scary or painful as I thought it would be, so it worked out really well.

What are you able to do after treatment that you couldn’t do before?

The leg swelling has minimized almost… probably 90%. I’m not having the breakdown that I did with my skin, or the ulcers. And I’m also… the heaviness of my legs, the Restless Leg Syndrome does not bother me anymore. And my legs before coming here were so sensitive and sore, just the slightest touch would hurt – and, now, they’re not like that at all. It’s gone. It’s amazing. It really is.

How would you describe Dr. Gupta?

Dr. Gupta: his way of handling a patient is amazing. He has knowledge beyond what I… and I’ve been around a lot of doctors and a lot of medical stuff in the last twenty-eight and a half years, and by far he is one that is… he’s incredibly intelligent but he’s patient, and he goes the extra effort to explain things to you. And he will lay it out for you before they do anything, you know, and it’s just amazing the results you get from it. He makes you feel comfortable, and, he doesn’t make you feel comfortable; you are comfortable with that. We did the VenaSeal™ – the glue – in my [veins], and I recommend it. It’s literally painless, and it’s helped out; it’s helped me tremendously. I would recommend the VenaSeal™ and I would recommend Dr. Gupta and Alsara Vein Clinic 100%.

How was your insurance coverage?

I had no insurance issues at all. It was covered 100%. And I was informed early on – my first visit – that the staff here would work to utilize my insurance and let me know if there were any problems before we went any further, and, if they could, make accommodations as to help however they could with the insurance.

What was your impression of the staff at Alsara Vein Clinic?

From the first moment I arrived here at the facility and you walked in the door, I felt the staff was very accommodating, very friendly. The place is amazingly clean and comfortable, and it’s very user-friendly here. You feel right at home. And it’s not crowded. And you don’t feel like a number here – you feel like a person here. And I think that’s very important to people that are already coming in here nervous, and uninformed, and unaware of what’s going to happen, and that all disappears pretty much at the front door when you come in.

How did you feel after your treatment?

After treatment, I feel… I’m pretty much pain-free when I leave here. And from then on, I mean, it’s amazing – it’s night-and-day difference, it really is. It makes you feel like ‘Why didn’t I come here before? Why did I wait so long to come here?’ There is help out there, and don’t wait.

Would you recommend Alsara Vein Clinic to family or friends?

I would definitely recommend someone to this facility, to Alsara Vein Clinic. I have, actually, recommended a couple of people, and I hope they don’t wait, like I did. Pain is a serious problem, and it doesn’t have to be. We can make it go away, and that’s what you guys do.

Unhealthy veins are like weeds in a garden

Left untreated, they continue to worsen and turn into a serious problem.

Maybe you’ve seen the blue or purple squiggly veins on your legs that look like lines on a roadmap and wondered how to get rid of them. Maybe you are experiencing pain, cramps, restlessness, or have sores on your legs, and you were told by your Primary Care Provider that you have varicose veins. Perhaps you wondered “What the heck are varicose veins anyway” and “How do I get rid of them?”

What is a Varicose Vein (and CVI)?

In simplest terms, varicose veins are faulty blood vessels that have become overstretched and swollen with blood.

When your heart beats, it pumps blood through arteries to every part of your body carrying oxygen and essential nutrients. Since you have a limited amount of blood (about 5 liters in an adult), the deoxygenated blood returns to the heart via countless veins in your body. The veins in your legs are farthest from the heart and must work against gravity to push blood back to the heart. Compounded by other risk factors, some veins wear out over time and become “varicose”. The pooling of blood in varicose veins may cause symptoms such as heaviness, tiredness, itching, burning, cramping, restlessness and pain. Left untreated, the increased pressure of blood in the leg veins can leak out, causing problems such as edema, skin discoloration, sores in legs that heal poorly, and frequent skin infections. This condition is called Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI).

Who gets them?

Although varicose veins affect both men and women, they are slightly more common in women who tend to have them at an earlier age. This may also have to do with the fact that men are less inclined to seek timely medical care. Hence, it is not a surprise that men have more advanced stages of varicose veins and CVI by the time they see a vein specialist compared to women. People in general are more likely to get them as they get older.

Frequently there is a genetic predisposition to vein problems. That means that if your mom or your sister has them, you are more likely to also have them. Things that put pressure on your legs and feet — like being overweight or standing for a long time, every day, without exercise — can also cause varicose veins. Pregnancies also make veins worse due to increased pressure of the uterus and the extra blood volume.

Do I need these veins?  How do I get rid of them?

Once a vein is varicose, it is a diseased blood vessel much like a “weed” in your yard. Just like weeds compete for space and nutrients in your yard (and are formidable competitors!), varicose veins have weakened walls that facilitate easy entry of blood but instead of pushing the blood back in circulation, the blood tends to pool in them causing a wide variety of problems including life-threatening blood clots.

In the past, varicose veins were “stripped” much like pulling weeds from the yard. This was a painful, imprecise, and invasive surgery with significant downtime, scarring, and risk of complications. Even worse, many patients required additional treatment due to other veins rapidly becoming varicose.

In the last 15 to 20 years, our increased understanding of venous disease, modern tools available for accurate diagnosis, and minimally invasive treatments have revolutionized how we treat vein problems in legs. After your vein specialist has performed a detailed ultrasound scan of your legs, he/she will create a “road map”. Then, using tools such as Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA), your Vein Specialist can seal the underlying varicose veins at their source, much like closing the large root of weeds from the inside. Any smaller, persistent veins can then be treated using injection sclerotherapy that is analogous to using a weed killer in your yard. Some unsightly varicose veins are removed by microphlebectomy, the careful removal of unwanted veins through tiny openings using very fine instruments without the need for sutures or risk of scarring.

Current treatments are very safe, effective, and provide long-lasting relief without any downtime or painful recovery. Since varicose veins and CVI are serious problems, almost all health insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, offer coverage for necessary scans and treatments.

Contact Alsara Vein Clinic at 816-396-0245 to set up a Consultation today.

– and bikini contests!

Where did summer go? It seems like only yesterday the snow had finally melted, after a prolonged winter, and here I am talking about fall. In fairness, this summer was an extraordinarily busy time for us at Alsara Vein Clinic. We saw more new patients in July than any other month in the past. Every one of my staff members worked extra, long hours to ensure each patient received top-notch care, even in the face of increased patient volume and the numerous urgent requests to see a patient the same day.

I am humbled by both the confidence that numerous referring providers have in our care and the trust of patients who refer family and friends. For example, Jim*, a 76-year-old gentleman, came to Alsara Vein Clinic after exhausting all options at hospitals and other clinics in the area. With a tracheostomy collar in place, he was unable to talk and breathe at the same time, yet he had much to discuss. After providing his medical history, he cleared his “airway trash”, drew a deep breath, and concluded by saying, “I am hanging by the last straw. My neighbor across the street advised me to come to you. You took care of him when he had no hope that anything could be done.” Since then, the topic of his conversation has been anything but medical. Taking swift breaks to inhale, he seemed more interested in talking about his friends, family and his many aspirations although, as he politely stated, “I realize that I won’t be able to participate in a bikini contest anytime soon!”

Later that week I saw Tom**, a 58-year-old, who had avoided seeking care as he was sure that leg amputation was going to be the only option available, given the advanced stage of chronic venous insufficiency in his leg. It seems that every clinic day has its fair share of patients with swelling, severe leg cramps, and restlessness. We also see many male patients with clots, bleeding, and poorly healing sores in their legs, all of which are features of advanced, chronic venous insufficiency.

A detailed duplex ultrasound scan (Mapping) provides us with a “road map” of all the key veins in the legs. The goal of every treatment modality is to get rid of the underlying varicose veins and restore proper blood flow by routing blood to the healthy veins. The new, modern, minimally invasive treatments allow us the opportunity to eliminate the diseased veins safely and effectively with very little downtime; these are also much safer than surgeries used in the past. Over the last 10 years, further advancements have occurred in our understanding of venous diseases and the options available to treat them. For instance, the latest 1470 nm laser used at Alsara Vein Clinic offers a 40-fold improvement in energy absorption, compared to older generation lasers, resulting in even less bruising and discomfort. All treatments including Endovenous Laser Ablation and Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy are performed in the comfort of the office setting and patients can resume normal activities immediately.

I feel very fortunate for the technology and scientific knowledge backed by the experience of successfully treating thousands of patients over the past decade. Although participating in a bikini contest is not completely ruled out for Jim*, I suspect that he will put his legs to much greater use in the years ahead!

Concerns about your legs? Call Alsara Vein Clinic at 816-396-0245 to set up a Consultation today.

Sam Gupta, MD, MPH

* Jim is an actual patient of Alsara Clinic and has graciously given permission to use his quotes, story and images.
** Tom – his name changed to protect confidentiality.

An estimated 60% of women and men suffer from vein disease.

Some of the signs and symptoms include leg pain, achy legs, burning in legs, numbness in legs, leg cramps, heaviness in legs, itching legs, restless legs, tired legs, swelling in ankles or leg calves. Left untreated, it may result in skin discoloration, bleeding veins, sores that heal poorly, and blood clots.

To understand vein disease, you must first understand the function of veins. Arteries are blood vessels responsible for delivering blood to all areas of the body, including the legs. Veins are responsible for collecting the same blood and bringing it back to the heart. Leg veins, located farthest from the heart, have to work extra hard to push blood upward against gravity toward the heart.

Studies have shown that a vast majority of people have genetically weak veins. Now, if you add more risk factors such as standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, pregnancy, excess weight, and trauma, veins can start to fail. As veins begin to fail, blood starts to pool in the legs resulting in veins that are "varicose"—abnormally swollen or knotted.

It might be surprising to learn that restless leg syndrome, leg cramps, swollen ankles (edema), leg ulcers, varicose veins, and spider veins could all be symptoms of vein disease. We've helped thousands achieve relief with in-office treatments. Alsara Vein Clinic is located north of Kansas City in St. Joseph, MO a.k.a. St. Joe. Schedule your Free Consultation today with Alsara Vein Clinic. Walk-ins are welcome, no referral necessary!

Varicose Vein Treatments are covered by insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.