Don't forget the "medi" in medi-spa

There are more than 4,200 so-called "medi-spas" in the U.S. Some of them offer facials and massages, while others offer vein procedures or cosmetic enhancements like Botox or dermabrasion. But is it safe?

In our latest issue of Vein Health News, we take a look at these businesses where aesthetics meets medicine. We also offer some good advice on how to make sure that you're not wasting your money, or worse, putting your health at risk.

If you have questions about vein procedures and safety, please ask us! Call the Vein Healthcare Center at 207-221-7799 (Monday through Friday during regular business hours), or send us an email at info@veinhealthcare.com.

New issue of Vein Health News

Earlier this month, we release the latest issue of Vein Health News and it's jam-packed with

information about venous health -- for healthcare providers and consumers alike.

In the cover story “Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome: Finding Answers for Pelvic Pain,” we explain to readers what it is, who is likely to get it, and how to diagnose and treat it. The causes of pelvic pain can be elusive, so we do our best to discuss PVCS frankly and factually. And if you’re wondering if men can get PVCS, the answer is: yes, men can experience a similar condition.

In the same issue, we examine how primary care physicians and other medical professionals can help patients with, or are at risk for, vein disease. 

Click here to read more. If you would like more information about vein health, give us a ring or drop us a line at the Vein Healthcare Center.

You can call 207-221-7799 (Monday through Friday during regular business hours), or send us an email at info@veinhealthcare.com.

Picking the right shoes

In the last issue of Vein Health News, we talk about ways to treat (and prevent) sore feet and legs for people who stand for long periods of time.

Chris Stanley, pedorthist and director of training at Lamey Wellehan Shoes, was one of the experts who gave us some advice on caring for achy feet.

According to Chris, the number one statement that they hear from their clients is: “I'm on my feet all day, and I need a comfortable shoe.”

Here are a few tips: 

• When it comes to foot fatigue and comfort, the best treatment is an evaluation of what the person is currently wearing for shoes. About 80% of Americans are wearing shoes that don't fit correctly (often they are too small) and that can cause discomfort, especially toward the end of the day when the feet end up changing in shape and volume.

• When looking at new shoes, many people want to have soft, spongy cushions under their feet, but in most cases, that can be detrimental. Having support characteristics in a shoe will actually reduce foot fatigue and increase comfort.

• When shopping for work shoes, shop at a shoe store that measures feet and offers a variety of brands and styles. If the salesperson doesn't offer to measure your feet and doesn't bother to review how your shoes fit, then go to a different store. The proper shoe, matched with the proper size, often can solve many comfort-related issues.

• Take time to stretch. Calf stretches will help to pump blood up out of the foot and generally improve blood circulation. Rolling your foot over a tennis ball or a foot massager will help the intrinsic foot muscles.

Tired, aching legs may also be a symptom of vein disease, a condition that is highly treatable. Click here to see if you have any of the common signs of vein disease. And remember, legs aren’t supposed to hurt, even at the end of a long workday!

If you have any questions, you’re always welcome to contact us at the Vein Healthcare Center.

Love your feet

If you take care of your feet, they’ll take care of you! In our latest issue of Vein Health News, we look at ways to treat sore feet and legs for people who work on their feet for long periods of time.

We spoke to Ginger LeClair, a nail technician at Coco Cheveux Salon in South Portland, Maine. Nurses, doctors, and pharmacists – men and women – make up about 20% of her clientele.

Here are a few of Ms. LeClair’s expert tips for keeping your feet feeling good:

• The most common foot problem I see is general foot fatigue from standing for hours on end.
• Rough, dry heels are another common issue. If left untreated, the dryness can eventually lead to painful cracks (fissures), which is harder to remedy. Once they start, they usually just get worse.
• Use a pumice block when you shower to clean away any dead or rough skin on the heels.
• Apply a foot cream at night, so it absorbs while you're at rest.

If you are having foot or leg discomfort, pain, or extreme fatigue at the end of the day, schedule an evaluation at the Vein Healthcare Center to find out if it's venous (vein) related. There are modern treatments that are minimally invasive so you can get back to work!

Preventing phlebitis

In our last post, we explained phlebitis, when a vein in the superficial vein system becomes inflamed or swollen. In this post we talk about prevention.

Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen advises that all the things that prevent DVT (deep vein thrombosis) also keep phlebitis at bay:

If you’re interested in learning more about the topic of phlebitis, you can read about it in our current issue of Vein Health News.

Do you have other questions? Give us a call, or email us, at the Vein Healthcare Center.

Standing on the job

Do you work at the kind of job where you’re on your feet all day? (Nurses, teachers, and restaurant workers, we're talking to you!)

In our latest issue of Vein Health News, we look at the risks of being on your feet all day at work, as well as the role that veins may play in causing leg pain or discomfort after prolonged standing. The article explains the symptoms that indicate that leg pain may be due to vein disorders— symptoms that are often mistaken for something else.

Of course, the article also explores modes of treatment and prevention. We offer tips from experts in podiatry, pedorthics, compression, and even a nail technician. Read on to find out more about what you can do to take care of your feet so that they can keep you healthy and moving forward!

To learn more about this and other current topics in vein healthcare, click here. And if you’d like to take the next step in your vein health, click here.

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.

What is tumescent anesthesia?

Before we explain what tumescent anesthesia is, let’s talk about when it would be used in vein care.

Endovenous thermal ablation (using laser or radio frequency) is considered the gold standard in treatment of the great and small saphenous veins, two veins that are often the source of varicose veins in the lower leg.

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) uses laser energy to create an intense localized thermal reaction in the incompetent vein. The thermal energy causes vein to seal shut, stopping the healthy blood flow from entering the damaged vein. This keeps the blood flowing toward the heart, not allowing it to change directions and return to the feet. The body will reabsorb the damaged and treated vein, forcing the blood to be diverted to healthy veins in the leg.

EVLA is an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure performed with local anesthetic.

Part of the treatment involves tumescent anesthesia, a technique in which a high volume of a dilute local anesthetic is infiltrated around the vein. Tumescent anesthesia serves three purposes during thermal ablation. First, the fluid causes the vein walls to collapse around the thermal fiber maximizing contact. Second, the fluid creates an insulating ring around the vein and thermal energy source. This protects all surrounding tissues, including nerves and muscles, thus stopping any type of collateral damage. The third function is as an anesthetic, keeping the patient comfortable during the procedure. 

The introduction of tumescent anesthesia into the body should not be painful but can be when administered by some physicians. Thus, before any vein treatment, consult with a board certified phlebologist who can provide a full understanding of all aspects of the procedure.

To learn more about this and other current topics in vein healthcare, click here. And if you’re interested in a free subscription to Vein Health News, just click here.

New technology uses old-fashioned principles

What’s the best exercise for helping the veins return blood from the legs back up (against gravity) to the heart? Believe it or not, it’s good old-fashioned walking. Walking causes the

rhythmic contraction of calf muscles and helps promote blood flow to the heart.

What if you can’t walk for one reason or another? The foot pump is one way. Or you can try treadling!

A treadle is a foot-powered pedal or level used for circular motion, such as in a potter's wheel or sewing machine. At the Vein Healthcare Center, we sometimes recommend that patients use a machine called the CV2. Named for the natural “second heart” of the calf pump, the CV2 is essentially a treadle that uses momentum to keep the pedal—and the calf muscles—moving up and down for a long period of time and with minimal effort. It was invented by a physical therapist who used the concept of a sewing machine pedal in his design.

To learn more about this simply elegant machine, click here to read our latest issue of Vein Health News (Page 13 in the “New Alternatives” issue).

One Patient’s Perspective

As the busy fall season kicks into high gear, we thought we'd take a minute to share a testimonial from one of our happy patients. Lucille used to do a lot of sitting because her legs felt so heavy and swollen. But now she walks at least 30 minutes every day!

"Dr. Asbjornsen is a rational, competent and caring physician. That's uncommon! From the first appointment, the doctor and her staff were very professional and continually demonstrated how much they care for their patients. Everyone was very thorough in educating me about each step of the process, from the evaluation to the follow-up—and they were pleasant too.

The group at the Vein Healthcare Center has restored my faith in the medical system. They are the cream of the crop. They're superlative!"

–      Lucille L., 69, Lewiston, ME

To read more about Lucille’s experience, check out the “One Patient’s Perspective” column in the latest issue of Vein Health News.

To see more of what our patients are saying, click here.

New alternatives in vein treatment

More and more people — doctors and the general public alike — know that so-called “vein stripping” is an antiquated treatment for varicose veins. Endovenous laser

therapy has been considered the gold standard in vein treatment for more than 20 years, but physicians in the field of phlebology are always seeking new, better techniques. The best vein specialists don’t stand still!

EVLA uses laser or radio frequency waves to create an intense localized thermal reaction in the incompetent vein. The thermal energy causes the vein to seal shut, stopping the healthy blood flow from entering the damaged vein, which keeps the blood flowing toward the heart properly.

In the latest issue of Vein Health News, we look at three non-thermal, non-tumescent vein treatments that are on the horizon. Simply put, “NTNT” modalities are newer procedures that do not require laser energy or radio waves, nor tumescent anesthesia.

To learn more about this and other current topics in vein healthcare, click here. And if you’re interested in a free subscription to Vein Health News, just click here.

Education is an important first step toward better vein health and an improved quality of life.

Podcasts about vein health

Whether you’re exercising at the gym, cleaning your house, or commuting in your car, podcasts are an easy, efficient way to be informed or entertained. There are two excellent podcasts about vein health and the practice of vein care.

The “Healthy Veins, Healthy Legs” podcast is adapted from an hour-long radio show hosted by Dr. Robert Kistner of the Kistner Vein Clinic and Mike Buck. The show covers all aspects of venous disease, ailments of the legs, and the latest and most effective treatment options. The conversations are lively and were recorded in Hawaii!

“VeinCast” is a monthly podcast intended for those involved in the treatment of venous and lymphatic disease. The podcast, sponsored by the American College of Phlebology Foundation, is co-hosted by Dr. Todd Hansen of Carolina Vein Associates and Dr. Albert Malvehy of Miami Beach Vein Institute.

Last year, Drs. Hansen and Malvehy were participants in the inaugural ACP Leadership Academy. The teammates (mentored by Vein Healthcare Center’s very own Dr. Asbjornsen) share a background in Emergency Medicine and were interested in sharing information using the podcast format.

Said Dr. Hansen: “I have been a avid podcast enthusiast for many years, so I had a natural affinity for this project. Access to ‘on demand’ information suits my needs and allows me to make best use of time by listening to informative and freely available information on a wide range of topics.”  

“VeinCast” explores topics related to vein care, practice management, new technologies, and the wide range of issues that physicians face practicing phlebology. In addition to being a convenient resource for anyone interested in the practice of vein care, the podcast provides added value to current members of the American College of Phlebology (ACP). Dr. Hansen also hopes that it will drive membership by attracting new professionals to the ACP: “This podcast is one small way that we can contribute to the future of phlebology.”

Click here to listen to “Healthy Veins, Healthy Legs.”

Click here to listen to “VeinCast.”

Running on all cylinders

This Saturday the Vein Healthcare Center is co-sponsoring the South Portland MAINEiacs first-ever 5K run, just around the corner from the VHC offices!

We’ve had running, exercise, and athletes on our mind lately, as our latest issue of Vein Health News is hot off the press. In our cover story package, we look at how exercise affects veins (and vice versa); whether athletic compression is worth considering; and how even athletes could be affected by DVT.

Click here to read more about athletes and veins. And get out and enjoy a walk or run in the increasingly crisp autumn air!

Vein Health News, a resource for patients and doctors

Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen of the Vein Healthcare Center in Portland, Maine is passionate about educating people about vein health. That’s why three years ago she started Vein Health News for primary care physicians in Maine and New England. Although the magazine was originally intended for physicians, we've found that patients really like it too.

Vein Health News covers such topics as: minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins, modern compression, leg ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, and more. Plus, the regular column “One Patient’s Perspective” explores vein care from a patient’s point of view. If you’re interested in a free subscription to Vein Health News, just click here.

Are you a Physician? 

Primary care doctors are on the front lines of reducing the growing number of people suffering with symptoms of venous disease. Vein Health News serves as a resource for well-researched meaningful information that you can pass on to your patients. If you would like the publication delivered to your office, click here to subscribe.

Education is an important first step toward better vein health and an improved quality of life.

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.

What is Lymphedema?

In a previous post we discussed the problem of edema, as well as some tips for relief. Here we'll introduce the condition of lymphedema, a related--but different--condition.

To review briefly, edema is swelling that happens because of the accumulation of excess tissue fluid that had not yet returned to the circulatory system. The excess fluid eventually leaves the area as it heals and the swelling goes down.

Lymphedema, on the other hand, occurs when the lymphatic system is damaged or blocked and protein-rich fluid builds up in soft body tissues causing swelling. Primary lymphedema is caused by the abnormal development of the lymph system, before birth.

Secondary lymphedema, a more common condition, is caused by damage to the lymph system any time after birth, or by the removal of lymph nodes because of injury, trauma, infection of the lymphatics, or cancer biopsy. In fact, lymphedema is a common problem that may be caused by cancer and cancer treatment, although the patient may not notice any swelling until months or years after treatment.           

Lymphedema usually affects the arm or leg, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Swelling ranges from mild, hardly noticeable changes in the size of the arm or leg to extreme swelling that can make it impossible to use the affected limb.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for this chronic condition, only treatment and management. 

To learn more about lymphedema--and its close cousin phlebolymphedema--read the cover story in Vein Health News. Just click here to read "Mutually Interdependent: the Venous and Lymphatic Systems."