Gazing down upon the earth from lofty heights reveals that the
planet’s waterways course and flow through the land like an enormous
circulatory system. Small streams and brooks feed into rivers that in
turn feed into lakes and oceans—all of which are necessary for
maintaining the healthy operation of global life. The veins in the human
body act as those streams and they are no less vital. Tending to those
tributarie therefore is a vital occupation. Engaged in the occupation of
tending the body’s tributaries are the experts at Illinois Vein
Specialists (IVS): Dr. Thomas Nielsen, Dr. Kathryn Bohn, and Dr. Richard
Castillo.
Changing Venues
Before
forming Illinois Vein Specialists, Drs. Bohn and Nielsen were Emergency
Physicians in the chaotic environment of the Emergency Departments
(ED’s) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center and BroMenn Regional Medical
Center. After twenty-four years, Dr. Bohn opted to complete a fellowship
in phlebology in order to become an expert in vein care. Once Dr. Bohn
paved the way, her husband, Dr. Nielsen, joined her.
Almost
immediately, the importance of vein care became apparent to the team.
“We realized this couldn’t just be a part-time thing. This needs to be a
full-time practice,” Dr. Nielsen explains. “We do this all day, every
day. We can give the proper detailed attention to all our patients and
see them in a timely manner without undue interruption.”
In
order to continue to give it the attention it deserves, IVS recently
brought in another doctor. At the start of 2013, Dr. Richard Castillo
joined the staff. His inclusion was a perfect fit, according to Dr.
Bohn: “We’ve all been ER docs for over twenty years. We’ve worked
together, have known each other.” That existing relationship helped to
further establish the doctors at IVS as a smooth-working team.
Half the Battle
Having a medical staff that understands the dangers of venous
disease and the treatments for it is important. Although many people
have heard about spider and varicose veins, few understand what causes
them, what the symptoms are, or how serious they can be. The staff at
Illinois Vein Specialists realize the public also needs to be aware of
these issues.
Varicose veins in the legs are the result of
weakened vein walls and loss of venous valve function. Leaky valves
means blood cannot be forced back toward the heart, which in turn causes
a pooling of the blood that stretches the vein and twists the blood
vessels.
Multiple signs can indicate the existence of varicose
veins: an achy or heavy feeling in the legs, specifically after standing
for some time; blue or purple twisting or bulging veins; or brownish
discoloration of the skin near the veins. Without treatment, varicose
veins can lead to inflammation at the site and possibly leg ulcers.
Restless Leg Syndrome can also be caused by varicose veins and venous
insufficiency.
Spider veins are a result of the same pooling of
blood that causes varicose veins. Although called spider veins, they
are actually more like tiny streams as opposed to the river of the
actual vein. Spider veins can cause aching, burning, cramping, and
itching identical to varicose veins.
“This is a disease that
has not gotten a lot of attention. There’s a lack of understanding about
varicose veins and of treatments too,” Dr. Castillo explains. “The
medical community is just starting to realize this. There are a lot of
patients out there that can benefit and we’re able to meet that need.”
“Ninety-five percent of what we do is covered by insurance. Only
five percent is truly cosmetic,” Dr. Nielsen assures. “This is not a
cosmetic problem. This is a medical problem.”
Dr. Castillo
continues to address that issue: “People are more aware that their
cramping and aching legs may be related to venous disease. The legs look
bad; but that’s the least of it. Their lifestyle is dramatically
affected by their aches and pains. They have difficulty walking and it
just goes downhill from there. So if you fix the veins, you can help
them dramatically.”
Illinois Vein Specialists make a direct
attack on vein disease most frequently with Endovenous Laser Ablasion
(EVLA). Guided by sonogram, EVLA uses a laser to heat the diseased area
in a vein which initiates a closure of that vein; this in turn causes
the body to reroute blood to healthy veins. The procedure has a 85-95
percent success rate.
Small Stuff Matters
Treating the tributaries in the legs through innovative and up-to-date
treatment is, in reality, only one aspect of what the doctors at
Illinois Vein Specialists do. “We also interact with the patient,” Dr.
Castillo explains. “Here you have the latitude to talk to them about
their life, their family, and their concerns.”
“Tom [Dr.
Nielsen] and I originally trained in family practice,” says Dr. Bohn.
“For us, it’s like getting back to those roots in a way. We have an
ongoing relationship with patients.”
Those relationships do
start small, usually through the initial office visits and then through
the procedures, which can last up to an hour at a time. But small stuff
matters and those small starts end up stretching into lasting
friendships.
“We take care of these folks from six months to a
year sometimes and get to know them very well,” Dr. Nielsen shares.
“Their families come in with them—spouses, sometime their kids—so we get
to know everybody. It’s wonderful,” he continues. “We’re treating the
whole patient. There’s more to them than just their veins. We talk more
and really make a connection that allows us to establish a rapport and
understanding.”
The doctors at IVS realize they, like the veins
they treat, are part of a bigger whole. Not stopping with building
relationships with their patients, they are always eager to establish
stronger ties within the community. They are not simply interested in
getting their names out there; instead they want to promote education
regarding the importance of vein health through informational sessions
at luncheons and retirement homes and working at health fairs like the
Senior Expo and Women’s Health Night. Illinois Vein Specialists are
thrilled to be involved within the community. They have an upcoming
educational event at the Bloomington Public Library on Tuesday, April 30
at 7 p.m. Please plan to attend if you would like more information on
what they do or if you have any questions to ask.
It doesn’t
stop with education programs in the community. Drs. Bohn, Castillo, and
Nielsen also have a vested interest in developing the next generation of
healthcare providers. They work directly with the Heartland Community
College Nursing School and the Illinois State University
Pre-Professional Mentorship Program.
“We continue to help
people in many ways: through education, mentoring, and treating vein
disease,” Dr. Bohn states. Tending to the vein diseases of individuals
and tending to the larger tributary of the community is, after all, the
main reason why the doctors at Illinois Vein Specialists decided to do
what they do.
The Bloomington practice of IVS is
located at 328 Susan Drive, Suite 300 in Normal. For more information,
call the practice at 309-862-4000 or toll free at (866) NEW VEIN, or
visit them online at www.ivsveins.com.
Patient Testimonials
“I
can’t thank you enough! My legs look so much better. Gone are the days
of not being able to wear shorts. They feel wonderful! I no longer have
the soreness and tenderness. You and your staff are wonderful. By the
time my treatments were over, I felt like part of the IVS family. I will
make sure to refer anyone I know with vein problems to your facility.”
— Janette“Excellent
treatment all the way through. Everybody was professional and caring. I
would give Illinois Vein Specialists a very high recommendation.”
— Sandra“My legs feel great! Thanks! I feel great! Thanks! My wife is impressed by my legs, again! Thanks!”
— Cary