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 for over six months. Yet, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), fifty percent of seniors who live at home say they suffer from chronic pain. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that three-fifths of adults, 65 years and older, have pain that has lasted one year or longer.
A recent patient of mine, Pam, has lived with swelling, pain, and restlessness in her legs for several years. She loves to spend time with her three grandchildren including her beautiful 16-month-old granddaughter, Adeline. She reported that her legs hurt at different times throughout the day and her ankles would swell up. She would take breaks to elevate her legs and move them “back and forth” to alleviate the discomfort that was both debilitating and disruptive. It turns out that Pam had varicose veins that were causing the pooling of blood in her legs. A simple office-based procedure using laser restored function and eliminated the chronic pain in her legs. There was no downtime or restrictions, so she returned to caring for her grandchildren immediately following her one-hour procedure.
Modern science and medicine have enabled countless seniors to live free from disease and chronic pain while also prolonging their lives. However, research has demonstrated that factors such as socializing and relationships are equally important factors for longevity and quality of life. A small town in Southern London put this finding to test and combined one of the largest retirement homes with a nursery school. This project not only helped bridge the age divide but also infused a new wave of energy, with improved levels of functioning in the elderly who had advanced stages of dementia and physical limitations.
Life expectancy is higher than ever before and an estimated 10,000 people turn 65 each day. While love, family, and our relationships are essential parts of life, chronic pain does not have to be part of our beautiful journey on this planet. Call Alsara Vein Clinic at 816-396-0245 to set up a Consultation today.
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.
Complications of Untreated Varicose Veins
Blood Clot
Compromised blood flow and inflammation can cause superficial thrombophlebitis. Patients may experience redness of the skin, increased tenderness and swelling.
Spontaneous Bleeding
Varicose veins cause increased pressure of blood in the veins and fragile skin over time. Terminal branches of veins are pushed closer to the skin surface. This is a perfect setup for spontaneous bleeding. Even a slight scratch can lead to profuse bleeding that is usually painless. Patients may lose a significant amount of blood very quickly.
Hyperpigmentation
Left untreated, varicose veins cause increased pressure of pooled blood in leg veins. Fluid leaks out of these veins and may result in painful swelling and discoloration of skin known as hyperpigmentation. Inflammation of skin may cause severe itching, burning and redness.
Lipodermatosclerosis
Continued inflammation of the skin over time causes the skin to become firm and leathery. Patients feel increased tenderness of the skin. The stiffening and hardening of the skin is known as Lipodermatosclerosis.
Venous Leg Ulcer
Long-standing venous hypertension causes damage to the skin which eventually breaks down to form an ulcer. These ulcers do not heal well and may cause itching, bleeding and infection. In rare cases, infection could lead to serious conditions such as osteomyelitis (infection of the bone) or sepsis (blood poisoning).
Varicose veins are typically located deep inside the leg and may not be visible from the outside. Initially, the symptoms include leg pain, tiredness, heaviness, itching, throbbing, or burning sensation in the legs. These symptoms are usually worse at the end of the day after a person has been sitting or standing for long periods of time and are usually better upon first getting out of bed. The recurrent increased pressure of blood in leg veins allows leakage which can cause swelling in the legs. The build-up of deoxygenated toxin-rich blood in muscles makes them prone to cramping and restlessness in legs. There is a higher risk of clot formation and bleeding that can be profuse.
Continued increased pressure of blood in the leg veins causes changes to the skin that are typically noticed in the mid-calf to the ankle area. This condition, known as stasis dermatitis, is characterized by severe itching and redness of the skin followed by hyperpigmentation (discoloration of the skin due to deposition of iron pigments). This is followed by induration (thickening of the skin) and dermal fibrosis (scar tissue): a condition known as Lipodermatosclerosis. There may be atrophie blanche (smooth, ivory-white plaques surrounded by hyperpigmentation). The final stages of chronic venous insufficiency are related to the breakdown of skin and the formation of poorly healing leg ulcers (sores). There is a higher risk of local skin infection (cellulitis), sepsis (blood poisoning), and osteomyelitis (infection of the bone).
Over the past few decades, extensive research has allowed us a much better understanding of the causes of leg ulcers. We now know that majority of ulcers in the legs are venous (varicose veins). Venous leg ulcers account for about 80% of all leg ulcers. These ulcers are typically painless unless there is an infection on top of the leg ulcer or physical irritation that can cause pain. Fortunately, we also have technology such as laser (Endovenous Laser Ablation) that allow us to treat the underlying problem at its source in a minimally invasive manner.
Vein treatments are safe, effective, virtually painless, and do not require any downtime. Your Vein Specialist at Alsara Vein Clinic has performed over 25,000 treatments and helped countless patients some of whom came with prior failed treatments or no hope that anything could be done. Call for a Consultation at 816-396-0245.
Dona is an "active" female who came to us in a wheelchair. She has lived with ulcers in both of her legs for several years. She has received wound care for numerous years without long-term relief; ulcers and skin infections became recurrent problems for her. She has also lived with substantial leg swelling, leg cramps and extreme sensitivity to touch. She has restless leg syndrome and was prescribed medications, such as Requip. Still, the discomfort in her legs (at night) remained.
She received endovenous laser ablation of the "leaky" (refluxing) axial veins in both legs at Alsara Vein Clinic in Spring 2018. By the start of Summer 2018, the ulcers in her legs had completely healed. The swelling is almost nonexistent and, for the first time in several years, she can enjoy pain-free legs both during the day and at night.
Another Smile Restored!
What made you choose us?
A nurse practitioner's recommendation.
What symptoms were you experiencing?
Swelling in lower legs, wounds that would not heal.
How were you affected by your legs previously?
Legs had been swollen for years, couldn’t walk much; skin so tight I couldn’t move knees or ankles.
What has changed after treatment?
Swelling & sores gone, wounds healed, able to bend knees & flex ankles – walking better.
Additional Comments: What did you appreciate?
Everyone at Alsara Vein Clinic put us at ease from the start, very helpful. We loved the casual professionalism and witty banter because we knew/felt deep down you really wanted to help.
What makes us different than other medical clinics?
No stuffy robotic atmosphere. You treated us like people, not numbers.
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 the right eye, and the treatment of complete third nerve palsy, as her neurologist put it, is to “hurry up and wait”. All the advancement in science has been unable to offer anything to overcome the feeling of powerlessness when she looks at me with her only good eye right now.
Spring also brought new opportunities and responsibilities. I was elected to be Vice President for the Missouri Chapter of the American Association of Physicians and Surgeons. It is indeed a privilege to be part of this great organization diligently fighting to preserve the sanctity of the patient-physician relationship and the practice of private medicine since 1943.
My schedule during the spring months was replete with an inordinate number of patients with advanced stages of leg problems. Hence, we have dedicated this newsletter to address the complications of untreated varicose veins. One patient who deserves special recognition is Dona Russell. As I mentioned in our Spring Newsletter, this pleasant 93 years “young” woman came to us in a wheelchair accompanied by her two, caring daughters. Dona has lived with swelling, poorly healing ulcers, and excruciating pain in her legs for several years. However, when I asked about her expectations from us, her response was “Can you help me get out of this wheelchair?”. The love for life and desire to experience every moment of it even in face of debilitating pain and challenges is truly inspiring. I am happy to say that her legs are “like new”.
Finally, a patient whom I saw recently deserves mentioning as well. This pleasant woman has lived with severe pain and debilitating cramps in her legs for a very long time. Until the last few moments of her treatment with us, she cautiously but repetitively expressed her optimism of being able to live without the excruciating pain in her legs. She returned for a follow-up after her recent treatment and when I entered the examination room to see her, her first words were “You are God.” She can now enjoy both her legs and her life.
I have always embraced science more than religion. However, if there is indeed a God, He must feel very entertained by bestowing a feeling of sheer powerlessness in one instance and patient’s comment of being God Himself during another, all within a span of few hours.
Although spirituality is largely a matter of one’s beliefs, I believe that the words of Gary Allan deserve special credence:
Life isn’t always beautiful but it’s a beautiful ride.
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.
On The Day of Your Laser/VenaSeal Treatment Procedure:
When you arrive for yourLaser/VenaSeal treatment, you will be asked to change into a pair of comfortable shorts that we provide you. If you choose, you may bring your own loose-fitting shorts.
Next, our vein specialist or our ultrasound technologist may perform a brief ultrasound scan and mark areas of interest on your leg. You are now are ready for our unique multi-step numbing process.
Multi-step Numbing Process
Your comfort is extremely important to us during the vein treatment process. We strive to reduce any discomfort as much as possible. That's why Alsara Vein Clinic has developed an exclusive multi-step numbing process to ensure your comfort every step of the way.
1. Cream
Starting even before your procedure begins, we apply a cream to the skin on your leg. This cream is produced especially for us, and begins the numbing process while preparing your veins for a smooth procedure.
2. Spray
Immediately before any needle touches your skin, we utilize a special spray which further numbs the surface of your skin, further removing any discomfort.
3. Technique
While injecting more numbing medicine into the skin, we use a special technique which numbs the skin area for the next injection. That way, your skin is numbed from outside and in.
4. Lining (Laser treatment only)
Just before the laser is used, we surround the problem vein with a special medicine which numbs, and provides a protective barrier between your vein and the surrounding tissue. Now, numbing is complete, and the laser energy is safely contained right where it needs to be.
Nitrous Oxide "Laughing Gas" (Optional)
Although the vein treatment process offered at Alsara Vein Clinic generally involves little or no pain, we also offer the use of Nitrous Oxide to help take the edge off a patient’s anxiety, helping him or her to relax through the EVLA procedure.
Nitrous Oxide is the oldest, safest, and most fast-acting sedating agent available. It has been used for centuries and is currently used by over one-third of all dental practices.
Patients experience a sense of well-being, feel more relaxed and somewhat less aware of their surroundings, as well as less responsive to any discomfort.
Nitrous oxide is breathed through a nasal mask and, after a state of relaxation is reached, local anesthesia is administered. Complications with nitrous oxide/oxygen are extremely rare. Its sedative effects are completely gone five minutes after it is stopped. It is eliminated through the normal breathing process. Patients are typically able to drive themselves home or to work. This option is available for an additional charge at your EVLA visit.
Needle-free Numbing System (Optional)
If you are uncomfortable with needles, Alsara Vein Clinic offers a breakthrough needle-free numbing system. Instead of a needle, a pressurized numbing medication is injected through the skin pores using gas pressure.
J-Tip Needle-free- Numbing Available 😃
Laser/VenaSeal Time
Laser Procedure:
During the laser procedure, you'll get to wear a super cool pair of protective glasses. As a bonus, we’ll give you a lollipop of your choice. This helps counteract any odd taste or smell, which can be a byproduct of the laser during the procedure that some patients may experience.
Venaseal Procedure:
Since the Venaseal procedure doesn’t involve the use of heat, there is no need for eye protection or dealing with that funny taste or smell. But if you’re feeling left out of the lollipop fun, just ask! We’ve got you covered.
Laser Treatment of Variose Veins
Before You Go Home (or Shopping!)
As soon as your laser treatment is complete, we will obtain some ultrasound images to ensure the target vein was treated successfully (yes, the effect is that fast) and help you with dressing and stockings. You are now good to go back to work (or shopping!)
Home Instructions
We will go over the easy-to-follow instructions before you leave our office.
You are welcome to resume normal activities immediately, including walking, low-impact activities, standing, or lifting moderate weights. In fact, staying active is crucial in keeping your calf muscles (leg pump) working. Now that we have shut down some of the bad veins in your superficial venous system, the good veins in your deep venous system will take over and rely on the pumping mechanism of your calf muscles more than ever before.
Although you are not quite ready for a marathon or heavyweight championship (or our Hot Leg Competition!), you will likely notice improvement as early as the night of the procedure. So go ahead and enjoy your legs!
In case you forgot to ask us something or have any concerns, there is no need to worry. We will call you the day after your procedure to check and see how you are doing and answer any additional questions.
On The Day of Your Non-laser Procedure:
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (USGS) or Spider Treatment
We will offer you a pair of comfortable shorts or you can bring your own loose-fitting shorts. Ultrasound and/or Vein Lite is typically used to identify and mark the areas needing treatment. One or more numbing tools may be used to reduce all possible discomfort. These procedures require less time and preparation than Laser/VenaSeal treatment. Our vein specialist will treat you and determine a follow-up plan. All instructions are provided before you leave the office.
You will receive a follow-up phone call the day after the procedure to check on you and answer any additional questions.
Varicose veins treatment using Endovenous Laser Ablation, or EVLA, is a non-surgical and minimally invasive varicose veins treatment that offers an effective alternative to the surgical stripping of veins. It is performed in the office under local anesthetic using our unique numbing system. We also offer needle-free numbing for the best comfort. Endovenous Laser Ablation is the safest, most effective, and long-term solution that science and modern medicine offers for varicose vein treatments.
How Does the EVLA Procedure Work?
Under ultrasound guidance, a thin fiber-optic probe is inserted through a tiny entry point, usually near the knee. Laser energy is delivered to seal the faulty vein so that blood cannot flow through it. This eliminates unsightly bulging and enables the blood to be diverted to healthy veins in the leg, thereby alleviating any symptoms. Immediately after the procedure patients can resume daily activity. Most patients are able to return to work immediately.
Laser Treatment of Varicose Veins
Innovative ThermaLite 1470 nm Laser System
Alsara Vein Clinic exclusively uses the leading edge EVLA technology (1470 nm laser system), which decreases discomfort and bruising, while maintaining the unparalleled efficacy and safety of laser technology. Studies have shown that Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) is more effective in treating varicose veins than Radiofrequency Ablation (VNUS Closure). Traditional laser machines have utilized lower frequencies (810 nm or 980 nm) and target blood (hemoglobin) within the veins. However, there was more, although temporary, bruising and soreness noted with these laser frequencies than with radiofrequency ablation. The new ThermaLite 1470 nmlaser machines target water in the vein wall instead of hemoglobin, which results in much less discomfort, practically no bruising, and a fast return to normal activities. This is particularly important for people living active lifestyles who want to resume their activities right away and would like to wear shorts or skirts. The new 1470nm offers the best of both worlds. Alsara Vein Clinic has treated numerous patients using the new 1470 nmLaser with almost no discomfort or any bruising after the procedure. Our patients cannot be happier with the results.
VenaSeal™ is a revolutionary FDA-approved medical-grade superglue for the treatment of varicose veins. The VenaSeal™ Closure System is a non-thermal treatment option that seals – or closes – the diseased vein using a small amount of specially formulated medical adhesive that is delivered to the diseased vein. The adhesive permanently seals the vein, and blood is rerouted through nearby healthy veins. Unlike other treatment options, only a single injection of numbing medication is needed, and no compression stockings are necessary post-treatment, which reduces discomfort and recovery time. Many patients are able to return to normal activity immediately after the procedure.
VenaSeal
How do I get started with the Varicose Vein Treatment Process?
To determine whether or not the Laser Treatment or VenaSeal™ procedures we offer are right for you, please schedule a free consultation.
During this free consultation, you will meet with one of our board-certified vein specialists to assess your symptoms and discuss treatment options appropriate for you.
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.
Large, bulging varicosities that appear on the skin surface as ropey veins are usually branches of deeper saphenous veins inside the leg. In the past, the saphenous vein was typically treated first using thermal ablation such as Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA). Any remaining varicosities that were closer to the surface of the skin were then typically sealed from the inside by sclerotherapy.
At times, unwanted veins were too large for sclerotherapy and had to be removed by microphlebectomy. The revolutionary VenaSeal™ offers an opportunity to seal all affected varicosities (veins that are deeper inside the leg and those closer to the surface of the skin) in one session without undue risk of thermal injury or pain during the procedure. The FDA-approved VenaSeal™ involves use of a medical superglue (cyanoacrylate) that permanently seals the unwanted veins from inside. Even better, the prolonged use of stockings after the procedure is not required. Once sealed, the diseased veins are gradually absorbed by the body. Your Vein Specialist will help you decide if this novel treatment would be suitable for you.
Now you can get rid of unwanted ropey veins in one hour while you select a pair of shorts online that match your new legs! Call us at 816-396-0245 for a Consultation.
Treatment of ropey varicose veins may require one or more combinations of the following: Endovenous Laser Ablation, Injection Sclerotherapy (including Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy and Catheter Assisted Sclerotherapy), and Microphlebectomy.
Large bulging veins that appear on the skin surface as ropey veins are frequently a major branch of a deeper (inside the leg) saphenous vein, such as the Great Saphenous Vein, which is often, but not always, involved. Ultrasound testing is frequently necessary to determine the level of involvement. If the saphenous vein is involved, it would likely need to be sealed first using Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA). This step in itself is sometimes enough to “shrink” the bulging vein. Any remaining unsightly veins may be either closed with sclerotherapy (using medication to seal the vein) or sections of the bulging veins may be removed by microphlebectomy. Unlike vein stripping, microphlebectomy is a simple, out-patient procedure performed under local anesthesia. Using very fine instruments, sections of unwanted veins are carefully removed through tiny openings without the need for sutures and with minimal risk of scarring. Vein treatments may be staged (occur on separate days) or a combination of treatments may be performed on the same day if recommended by your Phlebologist (Vein Specialist).
Now you may be able to get rid of the unsightly ropey varicose veins during your lunch break (and start looking for that pair of shorts you thought you could never wear!).
Modern science and medicine have enabled countless seniors to live free from disease and chronic pain while also prolonging their lives. However, research has demonstrated that factors such as socializing and relationships are equally important factors for longevity and quality of life. A small town in Southern London put this finding to test and combined one of the largest retirement homes with a nursery school. This project not only helped bridge the age divide but also infused a new wave of energy, with improved levels of functioning in the elderly who had advanced stages of dementia and physical limitations.
What made you choose us?
Finally, a patient whom I saw recently deserves mentioning as well. This pleasant woman has lived with severe pain and debilitating cramps in her legs for a very long time. Until the last few moments of her treatment with us, she cautiously but repetitively expressed her optimism of being able to live without the excruciating pain in her legs. She returned for a follow-up after her recent treatment and when I entered the examination room to see her, her first words were “You are God.” She can now enjoy both her legs and her life.
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.
Although the vein treatment process offered at Alsara Vein Clinic generally involves little or no pain, we also offer the use of Nitrous Oxide to help take the edge off a patient’s anxiety, helping him or her to relax through the EVLA procedure.
If you are uncomfortable with needles, Alsara Vein Clinic offers a breakthrough needle-free numbing system. Instead of a needle, a pressurized numbing medication is injected through the skin pores using gas pressure.
Alsara Vein Clinic exclusively uses the leading edge EVLA technology (1470 nm laser system), which decreases discomfort and bruising, while maintaining the unparalleled efficacy and safety of laser technology. Studies have shown that Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) is more effective in treating varicose veins than Radiofrequency Ablation (VNUS Closure). Traditional laser machines have utilized lower frequencies (810 nm or 980 nm) and target blood (hemoglobin) within the veins. However, there was more, although temporary, bruising and soreness noted with these laser frequencies than with radiofrequency ablation. The new ThermaLite 1470 nmlaser machines target water in the vein wall instead of hemoglobin, which results in much less discomfort, practically no bruising, and a fast return to normal activities. This is particularly important for people living active lifestyles who want to resume their activities right away and would like to wear shorts or skirts. The new 1470nm offers the best of both worlds. Alsara Vein Clinic has treated numerous patients using the new 1470 nmLaser with almost no discomfort or any bruising after the procedure. Our patients cannot be happier with the results.
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).
Even better, the prolonged use of stockings after the procedure is not required. Once sealed, the diseased veins are gradually absorbed by the body. Your Vein Specialist will help you decide if this novel treatment would be suitable for you.
Treatment of ropey varicose veins may require one or more combinations of the following: Endovenous Laser Ablation, Injection Sclerotherapy (including Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy and Catheter Assisted Sclerotherapy), and Microphlebectomy.
