You’ve heard it before…”varicose veins are merely a cosmetic issue, you do not need treatment, it will only make it worse”. Read this next sentence very slowly and carefully. This is completely false and the worse advice we have ever heard about how to treat varicose veins.
To better understand why the treatment of venous disease is so important, it is helpful to know what causes them. Varicose veins are visible, enlarged, bulging veins in the legs. Varicose veins emerge when blood is allowed to pool in the veins over time due to gravity or valve dysfunction. This stagnant blood is depleted of oxygen and vital nutrients.
When the veins reach a maximum level of tolerated pressure from the pools of blood, red blood cells and fluid begin to leak into the tissues of the leg causing painful swelling. The red blood cells in the tissue contribute to the chronic inflammation and skin discoloration, or hyperpigmentation. There is no magic answer as to what causes varicose veins, but there are a few factors that increase your chance in developing them:
- Genetics
- Gender
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Prolonged standing or sitting
- Age
- Leg injury or trauma
Those who do not seek treatment for varicose veins will most likely continue to experience symptoms of pain, fatigue and swelling of the legs and/or ankles. In addition, if left untreated, venous disease can cause other health problems including blood clots, venous eczema, skin breakdown, and ulcers. In the worst-case scenarios, a potentially life-threatening condition can develop called deep vein thrombosis.
It is estimated that 1 in 3 Americans have either spider or varicose veins. Each year 4 to 5 million visit a physician because of leg vein-related problems. While the unsightly appearance of diseased veins may be the first symptom of complaint, if left untreated more severe symptoms can set in impacting daily quality of life. Symptoms of varicose veins can include:
- Pain
- Itching
- Swelling
- Cramping
- Ulcers
In summary, if you have symptoms of varicose veins talk with your doctor and schedule a consult with a qualified healthcare professional. If you are unsure of the severity of your condition, schedule a consult with a board certified vascular surgeon sooner than later to determine if treatment is necessary.
Premier Vein Clinics is home to seven experienced vascular surgeons ready and willing to help you love your legs again. There are a variety of options for treatment all of which are done in office in relatively an hour with little to no down time. Call (865) 588-8229 to schedule an appointment today to discuss your symptoms and discover if treatment is necessary.
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