Tuesday, December 16, 2014

A Patient Testimonial

We're ending the year on a positive note, with this testimonial of a patient whose health--and quality of life--has improved since seeking treatment for her vein problems.
“My legs were a mess. I had varicose veins on the front of my left leg that started in the back, upper part of my thigh and wound around toward my shin. My lower legs often felt heavy and sore. Dr. Asbjornsen evaluated my legs and recommended a treatment plan. Now my legs look great, and I don’t have any more achiness, throbbing, or tightness.  
I chose Dr. Asbjornsen because she listened to what I wanted and gave me other options like compression stockings and tips to alleviate my discomfort. I felt like she was looking out for me, not just pushing to have a procedure done. I thought everyone at Vein Healthcare Center was exceptional. Every time I called the office with a question, they knew who I was and made me feel like I was important.”– Christina J., 40, Lisbon Falls, ME
Read more patient testimonials. See if you may have symptoms of venous disease. Consider making an appointment with Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, a board certified vein specialist.

And, of course, have a healthy, happy and peaceful holiday season!




Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Veins and Feet


When people think about varicose veins, they usually think about the veins in the leg— but that’s only part of the picture. Lots of patients experience aching, heaviness, or even bulging veins in their feet. Below is just one example of a patient who found great relief after visiting Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen at the Vein Healthcare Center.


 Here’s an explanation of the process in Dr. Asbjornsen’s own words:

This 45 year-old patient came to see me complaining of aching, cramping, pain, heaviness and numbness in her legs on both sides. All of her symptoms worsened with prolonged standing, and she felt self-conscious about wearing clothes that showed her legs. She would often have difficulty falling asleep because her legs bothered her so much.

The onset of her vein issues was about 23 years ago when she was pregnant with her son. After an initial exam, including ultrasound mapping, I diagnosed her with insufficiency of the great saphenous veins bilaterally (on both sides).

I treated her with several bilateral endovenous laser ablations (EVLA) to her great saphenous veins, as well as multiple sessions of sclerotherapy to clean up the surrounding veins.
           
As you can see by the picture, the outcome for this patient was a full resolution for all her symptoms, including the bulging veins. And she enjoyed wearing shorts and skirts this summer.

To learn more about the close connection between veins and feet, read the cover story about it in Vein Health News. Just click here to read the story.