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, I thought of my mother, who passed away at a fairly young age after living with “heartburn” for years, that was treated with medications for indigestion. Being a woman and a diabetic are both major factors that confound the symptoms of heart disease. A slightly higher index of suspicion could have saved her life and one of the newer diagnostic tools such as the Coronary Calcium Scan could have kept her health in check.

My thoughts shifted to one of my recent patients, a 93-year-old woman with advanced venous disease in her legs. She was brought to my clinic in a wheelchair by her two daughters. When I asked her what changes she hoped to accomplish, she promptly responded, “Can you help me get me out of this wheelchair?”. There was no hesitation in her voice as she expressed her desire to not only live longer but also enjoy her life along the way.

Life is a beautiful journeyI witness the daily hopes and aspirations of numerous patients like this amazing woman who is 93 years “young”. Some have the usual symptoms of heaviness in the legs, cramps, restlessness, and swelling. Many others have lived long enough with vein problems in their legs and present with clots or sores in their legs. Hope tends to be contagious. Earlier this week, while treating a patient who came with a clot in her leg, I found out that her husband was also on my schedule. He has lived with swelling and sores in his legs for many years. She indicated with pride that, “I diagnosed his problem myself and told him to come and see you”. I won’t be surprised if he will soon be able to enjoy the full use of his legs without the constant fear of ongoing pain, infection, or even risk of amputation.

My kids did not have an opportunity to spend time with my mother, their grandmother, and I never had a chance to be her doctor. I take consolation from knowing that my work allows many of my patients to enjoy a longer, healthier life. Life is much more beautiful when mothers and grandmothers are part of the journey.

Sam Gupta, M.D.

Click to Play Video

I was having a lot of discomfort with my legs. I had one very large vein that was very unpleasant looking for me. But the worst part was the tightness in my leg and cramping. It was keeping me awake at night. I was losing sleep regularly. Whether I was sitting, standing, I would get leg cramps. It was genuinely miserable and affecting the quality of my life.

The absolutely best part, I think about it, was the explanations. Again, that goes back to the ‘professional but kind’ that you do here. So often in a medical setting, they’ll explain something, but you just go ‘uh huh, uh huh’. But here, the explanations are down to earth, and they are walked through so carefully. And you don’t feel intimidated, so if I had questions, I would certainly ask. But, I understood what this procedure was going to be completed before it was done, and during, so that was excellent.

It’s been overall a pretty super experience. I have benefitted from it. It has certainly improved the quality of my life. And now I’m ready to get the other leg done, ‘cause I want a matching pair!

I would recommend this [leg treatment] for anyone. It’s been just an overall first-class experience.

The staff here, it’s a lovely bunch of ladies. I was charmed. I felt quite spoiled. My desire to get coffee as soon as we were done was met with – somebody brought me a coffee – it was just nice little touches! And when you walk in the door, that hello, that smile is always consistent. I’m sure they must have bad days like the rest of us but they do not let it show with their patients!

It's definitely, really improved my quality of life. Everything I love to do – whether it’s gardening, exercising, traveling – the treatment here has improved that. I’m ready to get my other leg done. I would encourage anybody to do this. It has really made my life so much more enjoyable, and I do get much better sleep, which is good for me and good for the people I care about.

I would certainly recommend anyone to come here to Alsara [Vein Clinic]. Just come and talk. You know, you don’t have to make that commitment, which was very good for me because, as I said, I had some previous ideas that were not correct. Just coming in and talking to the staff here is going to get you the information you need to make informed choices. That’s what I like to do – I like to make informed choices. And I got all the information I needed here, and I made my own choice, and I was very happy with that choice.

It is wonderful on a life journey to get the medical care that you need. As a person that is aging somewhat, I am more aware of what I need physically to support my travels and my journeying and just my everyday life. So having come here, I consider this one of my supports. When I need any help or assistance in the future, I will certainly come here because that’s what ‘life’s a journey’ is about. My personal motto is ‘it’s better to travel hopefully than arrive’ and I’m happy to partner with Alsara to make that trip.

Gardening is one of my passions and that was very uncomfortable before. So I love gardening. I love being able to walk my dog – I’m not sure who's walking who – but I can keep up with her a little bit better now. Just to be able to sit comfortably. That sounds rather simple, but if you want to sit and relax and read and you can’t, because you’re constantly aware of this twitching, and swelling, and uncomfortableness in your leg, that detracts from having a leisurely, relaxing time. So if anything, I would say, I can relax better now.

Click to Play Video

My name is Bill Luce and I am retired. I spent 45 years teaching to secondary and to college-level standing on my feet a lot.

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

Particularly when I was still teaching, I would stand on my feet all day long, and my legs would get very tired and they would cramp in the evening; in fact, sometimes to the point where I couldn’t even sleep at night they were cramping so bad. And it just hurt almost all the time. And, so, my legs felt terrible; they felt heavy. I had some restless leg.

And when I came here, the difference was like night and day. You know, before the treatment, my legs were not in good shape. After I got out of here, they were great! You know, the recovery was almost nil. I was able to walk, I was able to resume my activities. I felt 100% better.

How did you hear about Alsara Vein Clinic?

Let me give one of your employees a little bit of credit: Kati Ussary was one of my students. And I actually… I somehow on Facebook for something, I found that Kati was working here, and so I sent here a message: “What do you think of this place?” And she says “Great!.” “Do you think they could help me?” “Yes!” And she was definitely right.

What was your first impression of Alsara Vein Clinic?

I think from beginning to end, my first impression of this place is that the people were here to help me. So I remember asking Dr. Gupta and the staff here – because I’d had dome prior treatments – “Do you think you can help me?” And he didn’t say anything at first; he examined my legs first, and so forth, and then said “Yes, we can help you.” Through the whole process, I felt that my health was [of] utmost concern, and they were looking after me through the entire process.

I went to Kansas City a couple of times because I’d heard that they were a good place and I did not want to have my leg [veins] stripped. And so I went to Kansas City and they were the injections. I had a couple of treatments down there, but I found them to be of temporary help. They would help for a short period of time and then the pain would resume and I was back to square one. I was a little concerned when I came here because I knew that I’d had those treatments and I didn’t know if it was going to be that much harder or if I was just going to be repeating that process again. But there’s a vast degree of difference between here and down there. People think they have to go to Kansa City to get better healthcare for their legs are completely wrong. You can find it here in St. Joe at this clinic.

How did you feel during and after your treatment?

Oh, I felt fine. There’s another, I guess, misconception some people have that it’s going to be a painful experience – they’re working on your legs and it’s going to be tough, or there’s going to be a long recovery period – and neither one is true. It’s almost completely painless. [You] might feel a little pressure or something but it’s really painless. It’s not that hard at all, and the neat thing is, when you get get up, you’re encouraged to walk, resume your normal activities that very day.

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

What am I able to do now… I think I can almost do anything that I could do when I was 40 years younger, you know, as far as with my legs. I can walk, I can do anything and not have pain doing it; that’s the key thing. My legs do not cramp. And, so, I feel so much better than I did before I came here. The absence of pain is probably the biggest one. My legs no longer cramp. I no longer have restless leg. I’m able to do what I want to do without any pain. I can walk, ‘cause I love to walk. My legs are as good as new. And that is, to me, everything!

How would you describe Doctor Gupta?

[He is an] extremely intelligent, caring individual. I can’t think of anyone I would want to trust my legs with more than Dr. Gupta. He is a remarkable man. He knows what he’s doing. And he has the knack – I’ve heard this from people who have been here, too – he has the knack of being able to explain your condition to you in common, understandable english. He’s not speak “doctor,” you know, he speaks english to people, and they understand what he is going to do, what the procedure is going to be, and what the expectation will be when he is done, and he’s right.

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

Everyone from top to bottom, everyone’s very friendly here, they’re very knowledgeable. Kati, who did a lot of the Ultrasound work – former student of mine – is, of course, excellent. And everyone here, they have been… I can’t say enough about the staff. They have been very friendly, very helpful, and they’ve answered all the questions that we’ve had.

Tell us more about the various treatments you’ve had at Alsara Vein Clinic?

I’ve had numerous treatments here, and I’ve been pleased with every one of them. And they’ve progressed from, ah… I can mention a couple that I’m more familiar with: the laser treatment [Endovenous Laser Ablation], which was good, and I had the more recent treatment that he’s developed, the [VenaSeal] venous treatment that also was very helpful. Every one of them seemed to work well with less… with almost no time for recovery. I was pleased with every treatment that I’ve had here. And veins are probably an ongoing thing, but I’ve always come in here and Dr. Gupta has been able to treat me with what ever the latest method is. I think that says something for him that he also keeps up on what is going on, and he’s not content with just what is in existence right now, he’s looking ahead to see how he can better treat his patients, and I appreciate that.

Would you recommend Alsara Vein Clinic to others?

Yeah, I would highly recommend this place to anyone who’s having any kind of leg problems. They will be upfront with you, the will tell you what you need, and you can count on them giving you good treatment, and that the staff and Dr. Gupta will do everything they can to make sure your receive the best treatment that’s available for your legs.

My most recent treatment here at Alsara came as a result of me coming with my wife last summer. I was wearing shorts because it was so hot, and Dr. Gupta happened to notice that legs had deteriorated a little bit, that I was beginning to have some bulging in my legs with my veins. He asked how I was feeling and I said ‘I still feel pretty good but, yeah, they are beginning to bulge, beginning to show a little bit’ and he said ‘You know, we can take care of that’. And so that’s when the most recent treatment started, after I came in with my wife and Dr. Gupta just happened to notice what my legs looked like. I didn’t… they felt… compared to what they felt like originally, they were still a lot better, nearly 100%. But afterwards, a-ha, I had no idea, they were even better, totally 100% better, and they looked better. My wife and other people have noticed when I wear shorts that my legs are far more natural. They look like they should. The swelling has gone down. My veins don’t pop out like they did. It’s almost like my legs have been set on redial from 40 years ago. You guys have restored my leg health. I mean, I can’t say enough. That’s why I am more than happy to do this because I do feel they’re 100% better like I said in that first commercial.

Probably my most recent referral was some dear friends of ours who had… He really had trouble with his legs. He could no longer walk. The swelling of legs was tremendous. He had difficulty getting around. He could not walk very well. He had been to various places to get treatment, including Mayo and other places, and he had been told that that was just the way it was, you know, to exercise more, do some physical therapy, and it would improve on its own. And his health began to deteriorate. He still had trouble walking around. Going up stairs was nearly impossible for him. If he would go to a store or something, he had to have one of the portable wheelchairs or motor carts that they have to go around the store – he had to have that. And he had almost given up all hope, They were even talking about moving and closing their business down and so forth because his legs were in that bad of shape. And he came here and the treatment was remarkable. That very day that he got out, he went to one of our bigger department stores here in town – two of them actually – and walked clear around both. And I said ‘Well, how’d you feel?’ and he said ‘Well, my feet were not used to walking that much but that was it. My legs felt fine.’ And so he was really very, very happy that he came here, and he received exactly the treatment that he needed for his legs.

My wife, who also was beginning to have some problems with her legs in terms of cramping and not feeling as good, she came here. In fact, we were kind of a one-two into the office here, and she has had the treatments and is also feeling much, much better. She’s a 100% better just like me. She found the treatments to be painless and she was able to resume her activities that very day. So she is feeling grateful and a lot better as well.

I have recommended several people come here. I can tell you this: everyone that I have recommended this place to who has come here has had a positive experience. They, too, have been helped. It’s not just me, they have also been helped. Their legs feel better. And they range in age from, oh, the youngest maybe in their ‘40s all the way up to one lady who was in her early ‘90s who came here, and this clinic was able to help her.

Click to Play Video

Please describe your experience with us:

Everyone was helpful and friendly.

Front Desk staff:

Excellent.

Ultrasound Technologist:

Excellent.

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

Excellent.

Billing/Patient Account Services:

Excellent.

Call Center/Patient Service Center:

Excellent.

What made you choose us?

Your sign on Frederick, and when I discovered that Kati (one of my former students) was on staff.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

Leg cramps and pain.

How were you affected by your legs previously? What couldn't you do? How has that changed now?

My pain did not stop me from doing things, but now I can do things without pain.

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

I am very near being 100% better. No pain or cramps.

Additional Comments: What did you appreciate? What makes us different than other medical clinics? What could we have done better to exceed your expectations? What changes would you like to see?

I am impressed with the level of concern everyone displayed for my health and the treatments I have received. My legs feel so much better than when I first came in. I am confident I made the right decision coming to Alsara [Vein Clinic]. I also appreciate how friendly everyone is.

Click to Play Video

The main outcome I’ve had from my treatments is no pain. I expected to live the rest of my life in pain because of the failed treatments I’ve had in the past. And now I’m able to do anything I was before. My legs feel like when I was 20 – and I’m not 20!

I spend a lot of time standing on my feet. The reason I came here is that I’d had a couple of other treatments in Kansas City at clinics down there, and while they helped a little bit, the remedy was only temporary. And, to be honest, I’d more or less given up. I just figured that was the way it was going to be for the rest of my life. I would just have to deal with the pain and the cramping in my legs.

I came in here just hoping that something could be done, and everyone was really positive, and Dr. Gupta said they would be able to help me. And sure enough, they have, and I feel much better.

There was something about Dr. Gupta that made me feel that there was hope. I asked him ‘I want you to be honest with me. Will you be able to help my legs? They’ve had a couple of treatments.’ And he said ‘I would not tell you that we could help you unless I’m sure we can’ and he said that they could, and he was right.

I was anxious to get the treatment done. I wanted the pain to stop. And [during the procedure] there was really no pain at all. It was just a little bite or twinge as they would insert things into my leg. But, no, it was not painful at all. I would not let the fear of pain to keep someone from coming in here because it was not a painful procedure at all.

I did not feel a great deal of pain. I was more curious about what they were doing, particularly when they turned on the laser and I was able to see my leg glow. Haha! It was interesting! Whoa, my leg! My wife was in the room with me – my leg was glowing! The amazing thing, though, was when it was done. I got up and I was able to walk out of here, and instantly my leg felt better.

My legs are 100% better. I mean I have no pain. [My legs] do not keep me up at night. My legs do not cramp. I have Dr. Gupta and his staff here to thank for that. I mean my legs feel 100% better.

I could not be more positive about the experience I had here. My expectations were more than met. The staff was friendly. My treatments were timely. The doctor took the time with me to tell me what the procedure was so I would know what to expect. He talked to me through the entire procedure so I knew what was going on, which I appreciated. They followed up. They helped me to schedule appointments. They called me and made sure that my recovery was going well at home. So I’m totally pleased with the experience here and would recommend it to anyone.

Before, when I went to the other clinics, I thought the treatment was basically limited to Sclerotherapy, which was the shots. I did not know that there were other therapies involved, that laser therapy was a procedure that could be used. And so when I heard about it, I didn’t know – because some of my veins had been partially treated – that that would be an option for me, and Dr. Gupta informed me that it was. And so, yes, I learned more about varicose veins than I had been told at other clinics. So, yes, I did learn a great deal.

Dr. Gupta is an amazing man. He has a tremendous sense of humor, and that really helps during your treatment process. He puts a smile on your face as he’s treating you, which is amazing, as someone is poking around your leg, that he is able to do that. I’m also impressed with his knowledge and his skill at what he does. It’s amazing that he is able to treat my veins and to do it in a painless way. I cannot say enough about him.

The staff is phenomenal. They go out of their way to do everything they can for you. They assisted me. They answered questions. They treated me like a friend as I came in. They always have a smile on their face. They seem to be very approachable. They’re a very good bunch of people. He should be proud of the staff he has working for him. I’m sure that he is.

I have recommended Dr. Gupta to other people. Yes, I would be more than happy to recommend him to anyone who is experiencing any leg pain. It costs nothing to find out. The consultation is free. Why not come in and have your legs checked out. When they describe their legs are aching or cramping, I would recommend that they come in and have them checked out.

Alsara [Vein Clinic] has made a difference in my life journey because I’m able to do the things that I’ve always wanted to do now. I can walk. I can go places. I don’t have to deal with the nightly pain that I had before. And so it has greatly improved my life journey. I can walk now without any pain, and that’s always been something that I have a passion for is walking. We go to a senior gym and I’m able to do that and exercise fully, and I don’t have any problems. I’m able to do what I want to do without my legs bothering me, and that’s made a world of difference.

We’re a dog family. We had a bearded collie before, a greyhound, and we walked him every morning on Faraon [St.], regardless of the weather. And now that we have a new dog, we’re resuming that activity. The difference is: I now do it pain-free.

Click to Play Video

I like getting out and taking care of animals and kind of things like that. But as far as really doing anything, I’ve never been able to do it because of my legs, so.

I came to Alsara Vein Clinic because I’ve been having trouble with my legs with terrible, terrible leg cramps. And I went to my Primary [Care Physician] and she set me up to come to see Dr. Gupta, and that was the best thing I’ve ever had done for me. He is just a fantastic doctor.

Ok, I’ve had leg cramps for 30 years. And I’d get out and try and do something and I’d have to stop because my legs hurt so bad I couldn’t stand to walk. I got to where I couldn’t stand to sit. You know, you’d get out and walk, stop, you’d sit and stop, all day long. It was just awful.

The cramping felt just… it was something you could hardly stand. It was like somebody putting your leg in a vice and squeezing. And that’s how bad it was. When I came to Dr. Gupta, he took care of that, and since then, I have not had one leg cramp at all, and it’s just fantastic.

Well, my first impression was, you know, it’s a nice building, it’s clean, and that’s a plus. I’ve been to a lot of doctor’s offices before where you just feel out of place; you don’t want to go there. But this [Alsara Vein Clinic] is just totally opposite. I come in, you know, it’s like being at home.

Oh, the staff’s fantastic. As soon as you walk through the door, they’re there to greet you and treat you like, you know, you’re a normal person. I’ve gone to a lot of doctors where, you know, you just go in, you sit down, you get stuck in a corner and you sit there and wait for an hour before they call on you. So the staff is just fantastic here.

When I first met Dr. Gupta, I can tell instantly whether I like somebody, whether I can trust somebody, and I knew at that instant he was a good person and he was a good doctor. He is somebody, you know, you like being around, and I think he’d be a good friend, too.

Well, when I first come here, I really didn’t know what I was looking forward to because I’ve never been to a place like this before. But after comin’ and listening to everybody here – the staff and the doctor – I knew I was in good hands and something was gonna be done to help me.

Oh, I couldn’t wait until they’d done the surgery. It was just something, you know, I knew was gonna help me. And after seeing the doctor, I knew it was gonna do something.

The treatments were… I felt a little sting, but as far as hurtin’, no, it didn’t hurt at all. There’s just a little pressure and that’s it. There was no pain whatsoever. And I’ve had both legs done. I just… my legs feel like I’ve got new legs! I don’t have any leg cramps anymore. I can walk better. So it’s really improved by 100%. Oh, it’s made me to where I can get up out of bed. I can get out and walk. I can’t mow yet, but, you know, I’m doing things that I haven’t been able to do for 30 years, and that really inspires me. This is just a great place.

If anyone’s watching and they have leg cramps, I’d like for them to come and see Dr. Gupta and really seriously [consider] having this treatment done. It does help 100%.

Click to Play Video

Well, the first impression was no wait time. And the staff was tremendous, very helpful. You know, they led me to where I needed to go. They answered all my questions. It was just an awesome experience coming here versus some of the other places I’ve had to go to where there’s a wait time.

The reason I came was, as a typical male, I let my condition go. I had a history of varicose veins in the family. I’ve had a couple of sisters that have had some treatment done. I stand at my job all day long. I had to wear compression stockings because I realized I was starting to get some hyperpigmentation, some discoloring in the ankles. My legs started to really hurt me. I started to feel like they were getting really heavy. I was getting cramping at night, even cramping during the day when I’d be out running. I’d have some severe cramping in the calves, so I knew that if I wanted to stay active I needed to get this taken care of.

I knew that it was an issue and I needed to take care of it, having a family history of varicose veins, having a couple of sisters that had the procedures done. Mine were visible, so I knew I had to take care of my legs.

The recovery was quick. I mean you’re up and moving around the same day, so, I mean, you can’t ask for anything better than that. So when I run, I used to use athletic compression stockings just below the knee. Now, I don’t even use those anymore. I don’t have to. I don’t experience the calf pain, the cramping.

One of the things on my bucket list is to run a marathon before I get too old. I’ve completed three half marathons, so that’s on my bucket list and I would like to complete that.

I learned not to wait when you have problems with your legs. Put your pride behind you, come in, get the free consultation done, get your legs fixed, and it will be a whole new world for you.

It’s like I’ve got a new set of legs. t my age, that means a lot. I can continue to golf, hunting activities, run, and not have those issues anymore.

On the golf course, when my brother-in-law, who's a physician, took a look and said ‘wow, I’m going to have to get my legs done’ (because he has a similar situation), too. Yeah, my wife said she does notice the fact that my legs look a lot smoother, better color, and I don’t complain about my legs anymore.

Please describe your experience with us:

Front Desk staff:

Very courteous / welcoming & get you in & out quickly.

Ultrasound Technologist:

Kim was fantastic during procedures & Kati.

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

Excellent.

Billing/Patient Account Services:

Extremely efficient/helpful in acquiring insurance coverage via Amanda.

Call Center/Patient Account Services:

Always timely / reminders very helpful.

What made you choose us?

Article in paper & free consultation – the training/background & # of procedures done.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

While running, experienced heavy legs, some cramping – severe hyperpigmentation on inside ankles.

How were you affected by your legs previously? What couldn't you do? How has that changed now?

More difficult when training for long runs/half marathons, heavy legs, some cramping & hyperpigmentation was advancing toward possible ulceration. My work requires being on my feet for 8 hours/day. Had to wear compression dress stockings as well as when going on runs had to wear my sport compression stockings. I no longer feel heaviness in my legs while running, no longer have to wear my sport compression stockings while on runs!! No more cramping, varicose veins began to disappear, no more fatigue after long days on feet. Hyperpigmentation has begun to reverse, dark color has faded & looking much better.

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

Less fatigue, no more heavy leg syndrome, no more cramping, a great improvement on varicose vein appearance & hyperpigmentation – more natural color returning.

Additional Comments: What did you appreciate? What makes us different than other medical clinics? What could we have done better to exceed your expectations? What changes would you like to see?

The care & focus on my condition, explanation of procedures, follow-up, the expediency of gathering my insurance to cover the procedure. Great staff all around – I really recommend your practice to those who may need it!! I'm so happy to have my running legs back under me!! The cosmetic appearance has improved greatly as well as knowing I will avoid future complications of ulceration possibly if I hadn't had the procedure done. Coming in one late Friday after the first leg done, some upper leg complications & staff had left, but Dr. Gupta took me in to do a scan to verify no clotting & rescheduled to have some trapped blood that instantly relieved my pain/complication!

Veins, acting as “pipes,” have to frequently work against gravity to push blood back towards the heart especially when we sit or stand. These veins have valves that assist in the one-way flow back to the heart. Further, leg muscles especially calf muscles act like a pump much like a sump pump in our basement.

Click to view large image

Over time, compounded by factors such as genetic predisposition, pregnancies, hormonal changes, prolonged sitting or standing, lifting weights, and age, some veins fail. Unable to move forward, blood begins to backtrack and pool in the legs causing the familiar symptoms of heaviness, achiness, and tiredness in legs, particularly in the evenings. Increased pressure on the vein walls makes them “gnarly” or varicose. Some veins that are close to the surface of the skin can be seen from the outside as ropy veins or spider veins.

Venous hypertension (increased pressure of the blood in failed veins) predisposes you to profuse bleeding. Elevated pressure causes fluid from veins to leak out into surrounding space much like flooding in our basement when a pipe breaks.

Remember that the blood in veins is deoxygenated (has “low” oxygen content) and replete with waste products. This blood needs to be sent back to the heart where it can be enriched and put back in circulation. When there is an increased buildup of venous blood in the legs, patients may notice itching, burning, leg cramps (charley horses), and restlessness. Persistent stasis (pooling) causes hyperpigmentation (discoloration of the skin due to deposition of the hemosiderin pigment from the breakdown of red blood cells), cellulitis (skin infection), thrombosis (blood clots), and poorly healing ulcers (sores) in the legs. This is comparable to staining on the walls from leaky pipes, growth of mold, cracks in the walls, and eventually its breakdown.

These unhealthy veins in the legs are unnecessary. In the past, they were removed surgically. Modern treatment options are much easier, safer, and very effective with no downtime. Almost all insurance including Medicare offers coverage for symptomatic varicose veins. Contact Alsara Vein Clinic at 816-396-0245 to set up a Consultation today.

Please describe your experience with us:

Front Desk staff:

Very friendly and always helpful.

Ultrasound Technologist:

Knowledgeable and super friendly.

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

Very friendly and explains everything.

Billing/Patient Account Services:

Knowledgeable and friendly.

What made you choose us?

A friend works here and set me all up.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

Heaviness, itching, cramping, and swelling.

How were you affected by your legs previously? What couldn't you do? How has that changed now?

My legs would cramp towards the end of the day after being on my feet all day. [After treatment], I can now make it through a 12 hour day without pain.

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

Heaviness seems to be gone and cramping is improving daily.

Additional Comments: What did you appreciate? What makes us different than other medical clinics? What could we have done better to exceed your expectations? What changes would you like to see?

The staff was amazing throughout the whole clinic.

Please describe your experience with us:

Front Desk staff:

Very friendly.

Ultrasound Technologist:

Very informative.

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

Very caring and giving to patients.

What made you choose us?

I was tired of hurting, and one doctor I talked to had the procedure and he was 100% cured.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

Ache, cramping, restless legs.

How were you affected by your legs previously? What couldn't you do? How has that changed now?

I wasn't able to walk very far or sit without hurting. When sitting for a long time, my legs would go crazy. I can't sit for a long time or even go on long road trips without hurting.

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

It has improved my walking where it doesn't hurt. No more pain.

Additional Comments: What did you appreciate? What makes us different than another medical clinic? What could we have done better to exceed your expectations? What changes would you like to see?

[I appreciated] for someone to finally listen to me about how my legs did hurt, and for someone to fix them (legs) so that I can start running again. You've over exceeded my expectations in the care during and after surgeries. I would like for you to keep doing things the way it is done – shows you care for patients that come in.

Please describe your experience with us:

Front Desk staff:

Very pleasant.

Ultrasound Technologist:

Very good at explaining the procedure.

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

The Best.

What made you choose us?

Referral.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

Pain - blood flow conditions.

How were you affected by your legs previously? What couldn't you do? How has that changed now?

Pain in the foot area. [Post procedure] Not as prominent now. 

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

No cramps.

Please describe your experience with us:

Front Desk staff:

Very friendly & helpful.

Ultrasound Technologist:

Friendly & professional.

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

Explained very well what my problem was.

What made you choose us?

Referred by my PCP.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

RLS [restless leg syndrome], legs tired, and cramps.

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

Only have occasional RLS.

Additional Comments: What did you appreciate? What makes us different than other medical clinics? What could we have done better to exceed your expectations? What changes would you like to see?

I was impressed by the friendly staff & professionalism.

My 9-year-old daughter recently had a major change in her career plans, from wanting to be a mermaid to being a Physician. I am still trying to find similarities between the two professions to better understand what led to this “slight” change in the career path for her. Some rightly said that children are like mirrors; they reflect all that they see and hear. Perhaps she sees the difference that our work has made in the lives of many including her teachers who came seeking care. I am certain that the stories of numerous patients have impacted her. For instance, hearing that several of my patients have “charley horses”, it was only natural for her to request one… “Dad, I would like one (charley horse) too!”

Although charley horse is a commonly used term for cramps in the leg, typically in the calf muscles, I was curious to learn about the origin of the term. There is a debate about the origin of the nickname. According to one source, there was a lame horse named Charley whose work was to help move things around a baseball park. The picture of the limping horse was so deeply entrenched in memories of the ballplayers that they started referring to each other as “charley horse” if they pulled a leg muscle or developed any minor impairment in their legs. Since the 1880s, the slang word lingered and is now commonly used to describe a sudden tightening or contracting sensation that lasts a few seconds to several hours and can be painful as well as debilitating.

The dreaded charley horse is reported to affect up to 60 percent of adults who have reported the presence of nocturnal leg cramps in the form of a painful spasm, tightening of calf muscles, and twinges. Numerous causes of charley horses have been described in the medical literature including muscle fatigue, dehydration, mineral deficiency, and poor circulation (venous insufficiency).

During the initial stages, it is a good idea to gently massage the affected areas and use over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen.

There are some easy ways to help prevent charley horses including staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, avoiding excessive sugars and caffeine, and avoiding overexertion.

There are numerous old wives’ tales about home remedies from drinking pickle juice, using quinine, to the use of a bar of soap under the bedsheet to fend off charley horses. There is scarce scientific data to back these claims. One Harvard study described an ion channel called TRPV1 that activates the spinal column and inhibits the firing of nerves to dull the pain of cramps. It is possible that the protons in pickle juice use this mechanism to help alleviate the discomfort. Remember that a mere 2 ounce shot of the juice may contain a few hundred milligrams of sodium, so anyone with heart disease, hypertension, or renal insufficiency should exercise caution. Quinine has potential side effects such as severe bleeding and heart arrhythmias. There does not seem to be any harm from using a bar of nice smelling soap if you have a strong urge to try it under your bedsheet. If nothing else, it will help your bed smell nice!

Having a magnesium, potassium, or calcium deficiency can contribute to leg cramps, however, your medical history must be taken into account before you consider using any over-the-counter supplements. It is always better to discuss with your Primary Care Provider to avoid any adverse interactions.

Although infrequent incidences of muscle spasms may not be anything to worry about, they are signs that the spasms might be more than a run-of-the-mill charley horse. Studies have shown that leg cramps at night are a very common manifestation of venous disease in the legs. Our veins are responsible for collecting de-oxygenated blood from the tissues and returning it to the heart and lungs, where the blood is replenished with oxygen and nutrients. Veins in the legs tend to fail more easily due to risk factors such as genetic predisposition, prolonged sitting or standing, pregnancies, and age. When some veins fail, the blood cannot flow through them effectively and starts pooling in the legs. In face of compromised blood flow, calf muscles are not able to function appropriately and cause cramps (charley horses) and restlessness (Restless Leg Syndrome).

I cannot emphasize enough the seriousness of repetitive muscle cramps. One of our patients, Sandra Dyer, has graciously shared her story. She and her husband came to us looking for answers after three visits to the hospital for severe leg cramps.

Like most chronic conditions, left untreated, the diseased (varicose) veins continue to worsen and may cause other complications such as swelling, skin discoloration, blood clots, poorly healing sores, infection, or bleeding.

Using modern technology, we are now able to easily seal the diseased veins with help of endovenous laser ablation, allowing you to return to normal activities, without any downtime. Treatment of symptomatic venous disease is typically covered by most insurance companies including Medicare and Medicaid.

If “charley horses” are visiting you at night, call 816-396-0245 to get back in the saddle or schedule a Consultation today.

Click to view large image

Please describe your experience with us:

Front Desk staff:

Amanda is always friendly and professional.

Ultrasound Technologist:

Kati is just awesome! Made appointments fun.

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

Dr. Gupta was kind and explained things thoroughly.

Billing/Patient Account Services:

Excellent. No questions as to what things would cost.

Call Center/Patient Account Services:

Kati called to check on me on a Friday – her day off. That was a nice surprise.

What made you choose us?

A coworker recommended after having her [free] introductory visit.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

Heavy feeling in legs, pain, and cramping in calves; ugly blue spider veins.

How were you affected by your legs previously? What couldn't you do? How has that changed now?

It hasn't been too long since my treatments, but already feel that my legs are more "energized," no more heavy feeling..

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

I am looking forward to seeing an improvement in the looks of my legs – less visible blue veins.

Additional Comments: What did you appreciate? What makes us different than other medical clinics? What could we have done better to exceed your expectations? What changes would you like to see?

The entire staff has made every visit a pleasant experience. Dr. Gupta explains procedures and options and makes sure that you understand. I feel that he does not make you feel pressured to have a certain treatment, and keeps expectations on the end result reasonable. Kati's presence always made me feel safe & secure when undergoing this treatment that is new to me. Don't change a thing!

Please describe your experience with us:

Front Desk staff:

Always smiling, helpful & efficient.

Ultrasound Technologist:

Kati is a jewel.

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

Dr. Gupta is so caring.

What made you choose us?

Visiting with Dr. Gupta and techs at the Josephine Expo.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

Leg cramps, pulsation in both legs.

How were you affected by your legs previously? What couldn't you do? How has that changed now?

The cramps woke me up at night & my legs hurt all the time. [After treatment] I no longer have the cramping and the heaviness.

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

I think they look better, for one thing, and overall they don't ache.

Additional Comments: What did you appreciate? What makes us different than other medical clinics? What could we have done better to exceed your expectations? What changes would you like to see?

I appreciated the friendliness of everyone, the punctuality of the wait times. I don't know of anything that needs to be done to improve the care or service of Dr. Gupta and his staff. It's a pleasure to go to the office. It feels like I'm seeing friends, and that's very rare in a medical office.

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

Please describe your experience with us:

Front Desk staff:

So friendly.

Ultrasound Technologist:

Very professional and helpful.

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

I wish there were more doctors like Dr. Sam.

Billing/Patient Account Services:

Very nice.

Call Center/Patient Service Center:

Very pleasing.

What made you choose us?

I saw a pamphlet at Covenant Health Spa.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

Bad heavy tired legs. Wanted to sit on the couch all the time.

How were you affected by your legs previously? What couldn't you do? How has that changed now?

No sleep without pain pills. Restless leg syndrome (no more problems on the right treated leg)

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

I have so much energy now from one leg treatment. No [cramps] on the right leg.

Additional Comments: What did you appreciate? What makes us different than other medical clinics? What could we have done better to exceed your expectations? What changes would you like to see?

I am 73 years old and I did not know such treatment exists. But I trust Dr. Gupta and his staff for the rest of the treatments. I feel so much better about life. Of course, then there is healing and such. But the whole experience is so nice that I soon forgot how much pain I went thru in my life with my legs. I could just cry for happiness.

Please describe your experience with us:

Front Desk staff:

Very friendly and helpful.

Ultrasound Technologist:

Very thorough.

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

Friendly, thorough, great at explaining things.

Billing/Patient Account Services:

Wonderful.

Call Center/Patient Service Center:

Very polite and understanding.

What made you choose us?

I was looking for a vein clinic and saw Dr. Gupta's name associated with Alsara & so decided to come here.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

Cramping and muscle spasms in the left leg. Some very painful, some just annoying.

How were you affected by your legs previously? What couldn't you do? How has that changed now?

Disturbed sleep every night. Had to get up to walk off the large upper leg cramps & sometimes the cramps in my calf several times a night. Haven't had one that painful since [treatment].

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

Less cramping - none that prevent sleep.

Please describe your experience with us:

Front Desk staff:

Amazing.😃

Ultrasound Technologist:

Amazing.😃

Provider/Doctor/Nurse Practitioner:

Amazing.😃

Billing/Patient Account Services:

Amazing.😃

Call Center/Patient Service Center:

Amazing.😃

What made you choose us?

My daughter Danielle Jagels recommended you.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

Restless legs, cramping, no sleep.

How were you affected by your legs previously? What couldn't you do? How has that changed now?

I couldn't sit and watch TV for very long before I would need to stand up and either walk off the restlessness or a cramp. I could not get a good night's sleep even with medication. Now – I'm sleeping like a baby. No restlessness or cramping.

What improvements have you seen in your legs?

Not as heavy or tired. Restlessness is gone. No cramping. Able to sleep.

Additional Comments: What did you appreciate? What makes us different than other medical clinics? What could we have done better to exceed your expectations? What changes would you like to see?

The staff was very much appreciated because any question I had, they were able to answer, from Billing to Scheduling to the problems I was having with my legs. I really appreciated the fact when Dr. Gupta called me himself to discuss one of my concerns, instead of me driving for an hour & a half to get the answer needed. Differences between this clinic from others is the helpfulness and kindness. The #1 thing I appreciated most of all, was when my brother passed away and you were so thoughtful and sent flowers to me. That will always be cherished..