Presort Standard U.S. POSTAGE Dad, I want a Charley Horse too! ALSARA PAID Patient Testimonial • Sandra Dyer Twin Cities, MN VEIN CLINIC Permit #1000 y 9-year-old daughter recently had a major change There is scarce scientific data to back these claims. One 4906 Frederick Avenue No More Leg & Restless Legs St. Joseph, MO 64506 in her career plans, from wanting to be a mermaid Harvard study described an ion channel called TRPV1 M 816.396.0245 • AlsaraClinic.com to being a Physician. I am still trying to find similarities that activates the spinal column and inhibits the firing just got married last year on July 29th. The staff and the physician are very friendly and between the two professions to better understand what of nerves to dull the of cramps. It is possible that ❝IIt’s been just over a year in July, and I’m knowledgeable of what they’re doing. Now that led to this “slight” change in career path for her. Some the protons in pickle juice use this mechanism to help happily married. And if it wasn’t for my I’ve had treatments, I am able to walk a lot better. rightly said that children are like mirrors; they reflect all alleviate the discomfort. Remember that a mere 2 ounce husband checking this place out [Alsara Vein I’m not waking up with the leg cramps in the that they see and hear. Perhaps she sees the difference shot of the juice may contain a few hundred milligrams that our work has made in the lives of many including of sodium, so anyone with heart disease, hypertension or Happy New Year Clinic], I wouldn’t have been where I’m at right middle of the night, which is a relief. I’m not kicking her teachers who came seeking care. I am certain that renal insufficiency should exercise caution. Quinine has now. in the middle of the night and at my spouse! the stories of numerous patients have impacted her. For potential side effects such as severe bleeding and heart instance, hearing that several of my patients have “charley arrhythmias. There does not seem to be any harm from We discovered [Alsara Vein Clinic] from just Well, the pain was so great that I would start horses”, it was only natural for her to request one… “Dad, using a bar of nice smelling soap if you have a strong urge ourselves. We searched it on the internet, and crying because I wouldn’t have no relief of no sort I would like one (charley horse) too!” to try it under your bedsheet. If nothing else, it will help figured it would be a great place to get healed. until I started to come here. I tried medication for your bed smell nice! Restless Leg Syndrome and that wasn’t working. Although charley horse is a commonly used term for cramps in the leg, typically in the calf muscles, I was Having a magnesium, potassium, or calcium deficiency Winter Newsletter 2018 I had leg cramps. I had l leg cramps so bad that And, finally, I came here and sought relief, and I curious to learn about the origin of the term. There is a can contribute to leg cramps, however, your medical I couldn’t… it was hard to walk, and it’s hard to found it. My legs are a lot healthier. I’ve got a lot debate about the origin of the nickname. According history must be taken into account before you consider ●● Patient Testimonial: Sandra Dyer – No More Leg Cramps & enable myself to do walking and enjoy myself. I was more strength. I’ve gained the freedom of not to one source, there was a lame horse named Charley using any over-the-counter supplements. It is always basically just laying on the couch just complaining having… not to walk so far and not have no pain whose work was to help move things around a baseball better to discuss with your Primary Care Provider to avoid Restless Legs of the ache and the and the… I just wasn’t in my legs. park. The picture of the limping horse was so deeply any adverse interactions. ●● Laughter is the Best Medicine! (joke inside) comfortable doing anything. It has been over 10 entrenched in memories of the ballplayers that they years or so that I have experienced that. And it Be sure to come [to Alsara Vein Clinic] because it started referring to each other as “charley horse” if they ●● Dad, I want a Charley Horse too! pulled a leg muscle or developed any minor impairment wasn’t a very comfortable feeling [having to say] to does really help. It gives you relief to know that in their legs. Since the 1880s, the slang word lingered and ●● Charley Horse: What is it - Who gets them - What to do my friends [who were] saying: ‘Well, you wanna go when you are hurtin’ as bad as I was, that the is now commonly used to describe a sudden tightening or do this today?’, and I’d say: ‘Well, I can’t because my treatments they give are working. contracting sensation that lasts a few seconds to several legs are not up to par’. Waking up with leg cramps hours and can be painful as well as debilitating. in the middle of the night, ‘cause there’s nothing Oh, I’m happy to be here because if it wasn’t for that no one could do. And it hurt so bad that, even them, I would not be where I’m at right now. I’m The dreaded charley horse is reported to affect up to if you did move and start walking it, I had to get up just so happy to know that I’ve got legs 60 percent of adults who have reported the presence Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year and walk around to get the leg cramps gone. now. Before, I didn’t have any. of nocturnal leg cramps in the form of a painful , ❞ tightening of calf muscles and twinges. Numerous s we get ready to bid farewell to the year call “home”. I may have helped change lives, but causes of charley horses have been described in medical 2018, I feel blessed to start the new year with along the way, you have changed mine! literature including muscle fatigue, , mineral A my wonderful family, an outstanding team at deficiency and poor circulation (venous insufficiency). Alsara Clinic, and the friendships of my patients Here’s wishing you a Happy Holiday Season During the initial stages, it is a good idea to gently who entrusted me and my team with their care. and a healthy New Year full of joy, love and “I’m just so massage the affected areas and use over-the-counter new memories. Always remember that life is a pain medication such as ibuprofen. happy to know “This is the worst case of It is a privilege to have the opportunity to care for beautiful journey.​ someone in their most vulnerable times, often that I’ve got There are some easy ways to help prevent charley charley horse I’ve ever seen.” horses including staying hydrated, eating a balanced battling with both pain and embarrassment. my legs now. diet, avoiding excessive sugars and Although infrequent incidences of muscle may While at your bedside, striving to help you heal Sam Gupta, M.D., MPH TO KNOW WHAT caffeine, and avoiding overexertion. not be anything to worry about, they are signs that the and regain your confidence, I witnessed virtues Before, I didn’t YOU KNOW spasms might be more than a run-of-the-mill charley in you, including hard work, mutual respect, love AND WHAT YOU There are numerous old wives’ horse. Studies have shown that leg cramps at night are and appreciation for the simple joys that form the have any.” DO NOT KNOW, tales about home remedies from a very common manifestation of venous disease in legs. basis of a happy and fulfilling life. I feel fortunate THAT IS TRUE drinking pickle juice, using quinine, Our veins are responsible for collecting de-oxygenated –Sandra Dyer KNOWLEDGE. to the use of a bar of soap under the to be part of this beautiful community and the big CONFUCIUS bedsheet to fend off charley horses. (Continued inside) small town of St. Joe that my family and I love to

Alsara Vein Clinic Winter Newsletter 2018 Alsara Vein Clinic 4906 Frederick Ave • St. Joseph, MO 64506 816-396-0245 MyVeinDoc.com The Venous Anatomy of the Legs Charley Horse Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency WHAT IS IT? WHO GETS THEM? A “charley horse” is another term for a muscle spasm Anyone can develop a charley horse, however, 3 4 or in the leg. While cramps can happen in any according to the National Institute on Aging, not muscle, charley horse is most commonly noted in calf drinking enough water, poor muscle conditioning, and Poor blood flow in legs Backflow and pooling of muscles and feet. certain medications are factors that make people more causes muscles to cramp. Swelling blood in legs may cause susceptible to getting a charley horse as they age. “oozing” of fluid through You may notice “charley the vein walls and result in WHAT TO DO? horse” and restlessness swelling (edema). Cramps and There are a few ways you can ease the pain from your than half of adults. In addition to leg cramps, you (Restless Leg Syndrome). charley horse. Drinking electrolytes and stretching can may notice heaviness in your legs, tiredness, itching, Restlessness help to keep your muscles loose, as well as trying to take burning, restlessness or leg swelling. The affected veins breaks from sitting for long periods of time. Applying are typically deep inside the legs, hence you may not an ice pack for 10-15 minutes following strenuous see them on the skin surface. Left untreated, blood 2 exercise can also calm down muscle tension. flow in the legs continues to worsen. Varicose veins and and venous insufficiency may lead to blood clots, Initially, the symptoms If you are experiencing muscle cramps regularly, it may discoloration of the skin, sores that do not heal well, may be limited to: be sign of blood flow in your legs due to veins that bleeding veins and frequent skin infections. Embolism: clot 5 have failed. Call us for a free consultation. Your Vein heaviness, tiredness, that travels from site where it Specialist will ask you some questions and likely check Modern treatments are minimally invasive with minimal itching, burning, was formed Varicose veins are the blood flow using ultrasound. to no pain, no downtime, and almost all insurance cramps and companies offer coverage for symptomatic venous a risk factor for Remember that vein problems in the legs affect more problems. restlessness in legs. Visible Blood formation of blood Varicose Clots clots in legs. Varicose veins may be Veins Thrombus: blood (Continued from outside) present deeper hence clot that forms in a vessel blood from the tissues and returning it to the heart and Using modern technology, we are now able to easily seal may not be visible from lungs, where the blood is replenished with oxygen and the diseased veins with help of endovenous laser ablation, the outside. nutrients. Veins in legs tend to fail more easily due to risk allowing you to return to normal activities, without any factors such as genetic predisposition, prolonged sitting downtime. Treatment of symptomatic venous disease or standing, , and age. When some veins fail, is typically covered by most all insurance companies the blood cannot flow through them effectively and starts including Medicare and Medicaid. pooling in the legs. In face of compromised blood flow, calf muscles are not able to function appropriately and If “charley horses” are visiting you at night, call 816-396- Discoloration cause cramps (charley horses) and restlessness (Restless 0245 to get back in the saddle or visit MyVeinDoc.com. and Ulcer Leg Syndrome). 6 1 Left untreated, you may notice FREE Consultations I cannot emphasize enough the seriousness of repetitive Spider veins are a skin discoloration, poorly healing No Referral Necessary muscle cramps. One of our patients, Sandra Dyer, has smaller version of ulcers (sores), bleeding or graciously shared her story (see outside flap). She and her Walk-ins Welcome! varicose veins. husband came to us looking for answers after three visits Spider Veins infection (cellulitis) in legs. to the hospital for severe leg cramps.  816.396.0245

Like most chronic conditions, left untreated, the diseased  MyVeinDoc.com (varicose) veins continue to worsen and may cause other complications such as swelling, skin discoloration, blood  4906 Frederick Ave ALSARA St. Joseph, MO 64506 clots, poorly healing sores, infection or bleeding. VEIN CLINIC

Alsara Vein Clinic Winter Newsletter 2018 Alsara Vein Clinic 4906 Frederick Ave • St. Joseph, MO 64506 816-396-0245 MyVeinDoc.com