Elevate! Elevation Tips to Relieve Vein Disease Symptoms

There are a variety of vein treatments for varicose veins and other venous diseases. In some cases, elevating your legs can alleviate the pain and/or swelling that comes from early-stage vein disease. 

So, what is elevation and how do you do it? Leg elevation means raising the legs above heart level. The ideal position is to lie on a couch with your back on the cushions and feet up on the armrest, so your feet are at a slight angle higher than the heart. Lying down with your legs resting on three or four pillows also works well. 

Here are more tips on how to get the most out of this accessible therapy: 

• Elevating at intervals throughout the day can encourage blood flow from the legs and decrease the pooling of blood.  
• Legs should be elevated as often as possible, for as long as 30 minutes or as briefly as three minutes. 
• The morning is a good time to elevate. 
• The best time to elevate is after a hot shower, or after standing for a long time. A good way to remember to elevate is to pair it with your meals or snacks. 

A vein specialist can guide patients on the most effective elevation techniques. “For someone with venous disease, elevation is so important that at the Vein Healthcare Center we have recliners and ottomans in the reception area, so patients can elevate while they wait,” said Dr. Asbjornsen.  

To understand how elevation provides relief, here is a brief review of how veins work. Veins carry blood from the legs and arms back to the heart. The blood in the legs travels up against gravity, so when the valves in the veins become damaged, blood “leaks” back into the legs and creates a “pooling” effect. 

Effective treatment begins with a thorough evaluation from a qualified phlebologist who will look for the source of the problem: the leaky vein valve or valves. Once that is identified, the physician can recommend the next best options for treatment. 

Elevation is a simple, yet powerful, tool that can help improve blood circulation in the veins and provide some relief to venous symptoms. 

To learn more about vein treatments, contact us at the Vein Healthcare Center today to schedule an evaluation!

10 Tips To Make Your Legs Feel Better

If your legs feel achy or tired, it may be a venous issue. Best to check with a vein specialist for a thorough evaluation. (See tip #10 below!)


In the meantime, there are things you can do to alleviate your discomfort and perhaps even prevent your symptoms from progressing:


1. Elevate. Elevate your legs above your heart as often as possible -- for as long as 30 minutes or as briefly as three minutes. The best time is after you have been standing or after a hot shower.



2. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Avoid tight-fitting clothes around your legs and waist. It will help by not impeding circulation in your lower body.



3. Avoid high heels. High-heeled shoes shorten the muscles in the back of your leg and prevent deep veins from operating at their full capacity.



4. Sit properly. Focus on good posture and avoid crossing your legs  or sitting in ways that can compress veins for prolonged periods.



5. Walk. Walking causes the rhythmic contraction of calf muscles and helps promote blood flow to the heart. Walk at least 30 minutes every day – all at once, or in shorter increments.



6. Take a break. Take frequent walking breaks to avoid sitting or standing for periods of more than two hours.



7. Wear compression stockings. Wearing compression stockings purchased from your pharmacy will help promote the flow of blood when you are flying, on your feet for long periods, or carrying heavy loads.



8. Don’t smoke. Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke constricts veins and affects overall circulation.



9. Know your history. Women with a family history of vein disorders, or those who have relatives with varicose veins, should wear compression stockings during menarche and menopause, and during pregnancy – most importantly, during the first trimester.



10. See a vein specialist. Contact a board certified phlebologist for a screening and evaluation, or to find out more about risks, prevention, and treatment of venous disease.

To make an appointment with Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, founder of the Vein Healthcare Center, click here or call 207-221-7799. We can help make your legs feel better!

Vein tips for hot days

Heat dilates veins. That means that varicose veins (or "leaky" veins) and other symptoms can worsen in warmer weather. 

Here are some quick tips for vein relief:

• Stay as cool as possible. 
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
• Take a walk. If the temperature outside is too hot, try a stroll through the mall or another climate-controlled building.
• Go for a swim. Like walking, swimming pumps the calf muscles and improves circulation. Plus, a swim can cool you off!
• Elevate the legs whenever possible.
• Schedule an evaluation with a Board certified phlebologist.

Click here for additional ways to ease symptoms of vein disease. Click here to schedule an appointment for a complete evaluation of your vein health so you can treat the problem at its source.

What is phlebitis?

Phlebitis happens when a vein in the superficial vein system becomes inflamed and swollen. (It is also referred to as superficial phlebitis.) Spontaneous phlebitis happens when there is a sudden onset of vein inflammation.

Three out of 10 patients may develop spontaneous phlebitis after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) therapy, but it is very preventable, especially if patients follow the post-procedure guidelines closely.

Post-operative requirements include wearing prescribed graduated compression stockings and walking at least 30 minutes a day. If a patient does experience pain or swelling, he or she should apply heat to the area (NEVER ice), elevate the legs, and take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

If phlebitis does occur and is not treated in its early stages, thrombophlebitis, or the formation of a blood clot associated with phlebitis, can develop. It is important to note that both phlebitis and thrombophlebitis are common conditions that both occur in the superficial vein system, not the deep vein system. (A blood clot in the deep vein system is called a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT.)

In our next post we will talk about how to prevent phlebitis. Contact us at the Vein Healthcare Center if you have any questions about phlebitis or would like to schedule an appointment.

One Nurse's Perspective

We are close to releasing the latest issue of Vein Health News. In the process, we've interviewed several healthcare professionals who are on their feet all day; they're also patients of VHC!

Here’s what one registered nurse had to say about Dr. Asbjornsen and the staff at VHC:

“The customer service and the environment that the Vein Center provides are pretty phenomenal. There are recliners in the waiting room so you can kick back and elevate your legs. The music is great. The rooms are comfortable.

Of course, Dr. Cindy has a wonderful beside manner – that’s a plus. All of her staff is excellent. I’m never rushed. I’ve probably been in that office a number of times and I haven’t had one negative interaction.”

–      Beth D., 55, Ogunquit, ME

To see more of what our patients are saying, click here, or read their stories here from our booklet Perspectives.

Happy National Nurses Week!

May 6-12 is National Nurses Week, sponsored by the American Nurses Foundation. This

year's theme is "Year of the Healthy Nurse."

To celebrate and support nurses everywhere, we offer some healthy leg tips for nurses who are on their feet all day.

Did you know that varicose veins can be an occupational hazard for nurses? One tried and true way to reduce the effects of vein disease -- and in some cases, prevent symptoms -- is graduated compression. 

Please note that so-called "support hose" does not have to be ugly! Not today, with the many styles and colors that are available. 

Another remedy for aching legs is to elevate them periodically and at the end of the day. This post explains how to properly elevate legs. Lastly, nurses should remember to care for their feet. Here are some tips from the blog RN Central.

Happy National Nurses Week to all of the nurses out there. Thank you for all you do!

Visit the Vein Healthcare Center in South Portland, Maine, or learn more about Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen.

A round-up of “how to’s”

Over the years, we’ve posted a lot of quick tips for vein care at home, so as a year-end gift we’re putting them all in one place!

• How to tell if you have venous disease
• How to keep your veins healthy in the winter
• How to do the “foot pump”
• How to properly elevate your legs
• How to treat venous symptoms naturally
• Quick tips for coping with spider veins 

Don’t forget that while these “how to’s” can help with the symptoms of vein disease, an evaluation by a qualified phlebologist can give you a complete picture of your venous health and options for treatment. If you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at the Vein Healthcare Center.

Happy holidays from all of us at VHC!

The risks of…sitting?

Are you sitting down? Chances are, you are! It seems like our whole world was designed to keep us in a seated position, usually in front of a screen, whether during work or leisure time.

Earlier this year, a recent article found that this overwhelmingly sedentary behavior increases our risk of getting preventable conditions, even if we exercise. The studies showed that physical inactivity (the fourth-leading risk factor for death for people all around the world, according to the World Health Organization) can lead to premature death from cardiovascular issues and cancer, as well as cause chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes.

Too much sitting can also increase the risk of getting varicose veins—and if you already have vein issues, you may notice that symptoms get worse after sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Why? The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout the body through the arteries. Veins then carry blood from all the extremities back up to the heart. The blood in the legs travels up against gravity, so when the valves in the veins become damaged, blood flows back into the legs which leads to a “pooling” of blood in the veins that can manifest as varicose veins or spider veins. 

When you sit (or stand) in the same position for a long time, the blood doesn’t circulate properly and, over time, this can lead to varicose veins.

There are a several ways to help reduce the risk of getting varicose veins from sitting for too long:

• Sit properly. Focus on good posture and avoid crossing your legs or sitting in ways that can compress veins for prolonged periods.

• Elevate. Occasionally, rest your legs above your heart – for as long as 30 minutes or as briefly as three minutes. (For more tips on elevation, click here.)

• Take a break. Take frequent walking breaks to avoid sitting or standing for periods of more than two hours.

• Pump it. If you can’t move around that often – or are flying on an airplane – try flexing and pointing your foot to get the blood moving in your legs. (Click here to learn more about “the foot pump.”)

Of course, the best way to reduce your risk of getting varicose veins from sitting all day is to move around more – and be aware of just how much time you spend sitting down.

How to properly elevate your legs

There are a variety of vein treatments for varicose veins and other venous diseases. Board certified vein specialist Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen supports the minimum intervention that will meet each patient's goals for treatment. In some cases, elevation of the legs can alleviate the pain or swelling that is the result of early stage vein disease.

Leg elevation means raising the legs above heart level. The ideal position is to lie on a couch with the back on the cushions and feet up on the armrest, so feet are at a slight angle higher than the heart. Lying down with the legs resting on three or four pillows also works well.

Here are more tips on how to get the most out of this accessible therapy:

• Elevating at intervals throughout the day can encourage blood flow from the legs and decrease the pooling of blood.

• Legs should be elevated as often as possible, for as long as 30 minutes or as briefly as three minutes.

• The morning is a good time to elevate.

• The best time to elevate is after a hot shower, or after standing for a long time. 

• A good way to remember to elevate is to pair it with your meals or snacks.

Elevation is a simple, yet powerful, tool that can help improve blood circulation in the veins and provide some relief to venous symptoms. Dr. Asbjornsen believes that elevation is so important for someone with venous disease that at the Vein Healthcare Center recliners and ottomans are provided in the reception area, so that patients can elevate while they wait.

Tips for swelling legs

Swelling of the feet, ankles or legs is a common problem that affects men and women alike. Edema, as it is known in the medical community, is swelling due to a buildup of extra fluid.

According to Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen of the Vein Healthcare Center in Maine, there are many possible causes for edema, including venous insufficiency. She said that the treatment of leg edema depends upon a proper diagnosis of the cause— and that if the swelling is caused by venous insufficiency, there are treatments available.

Those who experience leg swelling should visit his or her primary care physician or specialist to determine the cause. A variety of tests will likely be checked, possibly including a venous ultrasound test to look for faulty valves in the leg veins.

If leg swelling is due to venous insufficiency, here are some things to consider:
   • Elevate your legs above your heart periodically throughout the day, especially after you have been standing for a long time.
   • Wear graduated compression stockings to help promote the flow of blood back up to the heart. They are available at many pharmacies and medical supply stores.
   • Protect the skin over the swollen area from cuts, scrapes or extreme temperatures. The skin becomes more fragile over time and any injuries can take much longer heal.
   • Contact a board certified phlebologist for an evaluation. Minimally invasive office procedures, such as endovenous laser ablation, can fix the underlying problem of venous insufficiency.

Chronic swelling also puts people at risk for cellulitis, a potentially serious bacterial infection that can affect the skin’s surface and its underlying tissue and cause the skin to become swollen and tender. Those with venous symptoms can also be at increased risk for superficial thrombophlebitis, which are clots within the superficial veins that can be extremely painful.

In our next post, we’ll introduce a condition called lymphedema— and what happens when the venous system becomes involved.