While we miss our children when they leave the nest and become independent, or relatively independent, adults, it also gives us more time to pursue our own interests and activities.

While the George Gershwin song may say, “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy,” most of our patients who have varicose veins express a different sentiment, noting that their leg pain increases during the hot summer months.

Dr. K. Francis Lee appeared on the “Better Western Mass” show yesterday on Western Mass News, WGGB-40 to discuss the prevalence and dangers of deep vein thrombosis in recognition of March as DVT Awareness Month.

March is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month, also known as Blood Clot Awareness Month. Dr. K. Francis Lee, medical director at Advanced Vein Care Center, one of the premier treatment centers in New England for venous diseases, discussed the importance of deep vein blood clots, noting that increased awareness is needed for the public.

Whether you are simply seeking treatment for unsightly spider veins, or have more serious conditions like venous insufficiency, varicose veins, blood clots in your legs or venous stasis ulcers, it’s important to ask the right questions when deciding where to go for treatment.

For some, a livelihood can be made from the strength of their bodies. Serena Williams. Michael Phelps. Usain Bolt. They worship their bodies with exercise, high-quality food, massages, and sleep. These athletes forge their bodies and skillsets into art; and we, the awe-inspired, wonder at them.

Have you ever woken at night to the debilitating, piercing pain of a leg cramp? If so, you are not alone. It’s been shown that 33.6% of the general public experience night-time muscle cramps, and as high as 50% among those with chronic venous insufficiency.

Feedback comes in many forms—from the mother’s lips to a child, or from a restaurant reviewer’s keyboard to a chef—but there is one thing that remains constant. Everyone needs feedback. The more paperwork-intensive, the more people avoid it. But no matter how uncomfortable receiving feedback may be, the complete lack of it is also unnerving—we succumb to easy complacency, or worse, we doubt our work and worry: “How are we doing?”