A lot of living to do - Happy Senior Citizens Day!

August 21 is Senior Citizens Day, a U.S. observance established in honor of older adults who have made positive contributions in their communities. The day is also a time to bring awareness of social and health issues that affect senior citizens – like veins!

Paying attention to venous health is an important aspect of successful aging – and one that has historically gone untreated. Many seniors have been told that heavy, aching legs are a normal part of aging, but that’s often not the case. There are solutions for venous insufficiency that make people feel better, no matter what their age.

Venous insufficiency occurs when healthy veins become damaged and allow the backward flow of blood into the lower extremities. This pooling of blood can lead to a feeling of heaviness, aching, and can cause skin changes, such as spider veins or a brown, woody appearance of the lower legs.

Seniors’ veins respond differently to everyday stress compared to that of a younger person’s because vein walls are primarily made of collagen. As the body ages, a decrease in the production of collagen causes the veins to become more brittle and the valves more likely to fail, especially in the superficial veins. Thus, there is a higher incidence of varicose veins in the elderly population.

Additionally, the skin begins to lose its elasticity and doesn’t respond to stress the way it once did. And because skin is the “end organ” of venous disease, ulcers can occur as a result of damaged veins.

Some seniors might think that “vein stripping” is the only option. While it was the go-to procedure for many years, treatment of venous disease today is vastly different. Breakthroughs in phlebology and new approaches to treatment involve less time and less pain, and they are overwhelmingly successful over the long term when performed by an experienced specialist.

The risk-benefit ratio makes treatment an ideal option for seniors. Although seniors have a 50% greater chance of suffering from vein disease, they have the same success with modern treatment options as anyone else.

June is Men's Health Month

Men don’t get varicose veins, right? Of course they do! Men are just as likely to suffer from vein issues than women.

Every June is Men's Health Month. This year, June 14-20 is Men’s Health Week, a chance for men to take stock of their health and habits – including varicose veins and other vein problems often associated with women.

Here are the facts: Anatomically, men’s leg veins are no different from women’s veins. Looking at a leg ultrasound, one would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between a man’s and a woman’s legs.

Everyone’s 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.

           

Who has the highest risk of getting varicose veins? Heredity plays a strong role, so look at your family history for clues. Lifestyle is also a significant risk factor: does your job require you to stand for long periods of time, or do you sit at your desk all day? Advanced age or previous leg trauma can also affect your venous health.

Even men who are athletic are susceptible to venous (vein) disease. Sometimes men with vein problems misinterpret their symptoms, mistaking the pains of venous disease for a strained or pulled muscle.

Like any chronic medical condition, varicose veins get worse with time, and the longer one waits, the more extensive the condition could become. Many men go to their doctors for the first time when they get venous ulcers, a problem too painful to ignore.

Treatment can stop the progression of venous disease and its complications for those in all stages of disease, however, early intervention is best and provides the most improved quality of life. But for those men (or women) struggling with late-stage symptoms it is still possible to restore health. Today's vein treatments are minimally invasive, cause very little pain, and can be accomplished quickly right in a physician’s office.

           

The key for men is to get evaluated as soon as the symptoms become apparent or they suspect there’s a problem.

Schedule your evaluation and learn how treatment could improve your health and quality of life.

Year of the Nurse

 

In 1993, the American Nurses Association (ANA) declared May 6 as the start of National Nurses Week. The annual celebration usually culminates on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday.

Last year, the World Health Assembly, the governing body of WHO, designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife -- and the ANA followed WHO’s lead by declaring a U.S. extension of the Year of the Nurse into 2021.

Nurses have always gone above and beyond to serve our communities, but since the pandemic started over a year ago, we've all seen the impact that nurses make every day. That's why ANA chose the theme "Nurses Make a Difference" to recognize the contribution of nurses during the month of May.

At the Vein Healthcare Center, we know how hard nurses work, and we're well aware that venous disease can be a real occupational hazard for nurses who are often on their feet for hours at a time. Here are just a few tips for how nurses can take care of themselves by taking care of their legs and feet. ANA is also providing videos and other resources to help nurses celebrate and participate.

Happy National Nurses Week, Month, and Year to all of the nurses out there. Thank you for everything you do!



Visit the Vein Healthcare Center in South Portland, Maine to learn more about the symptoms of vein disease and how to treat it.

The latest issue of Vein Health News!

In our latest issue of Vein Health News, we're helping doctors and their patients clear up some misconceptions about vein disease. 

In an easy-to-read Q&A format, Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen answers commonly asked questions about tired legs, blue veins, and more.

We also explain the latest findings about lymphedema, including current treatments.

Click on the link to read Vein Health News!

Better year, better legs!

Are you ready to be more active this year? Don’t let tired, veiny legs stop you! Many people don't realize that the reason their legs are so achy isn't due to age or fatigue but because of venous disease.

Like Sue M., 63, from North Yarmouth, Maine. Sue said: “I work at a daycare and when I came home at the end of the day, my legs were like cement. I could not move them. It was affecting me tremendously but because it didn’t hurt, I had no idea my veins were the problem. I had EVLA done in both legs, and they felt much lighter right away."

Contact us for an evaluation of your leg health and to learn about the treatments that are available to you. It's time for a better year -- and better legs!