Varicose veins are bulbous, thick veins that protrude from the skin. Because they are so close to the skin, they are extremely noticeable as blue or black lines. Many people suffer from varicose veins, but that doesn't mean you have to. If you would like to know more, keep reading.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are typically caused by damaged valves in the circulatory system. Ideally, oxygenated blood flows through your body, and the veins return all the deoxygenated blood back to the lungs. However, damage to the valves allows blood to slide backward and pool in various veins. Because of gravity, they are most common on the lower portion of the body like the legs.
Over time, the veins swell and twist to become noticeable. While anyone can get varicose veins, there are many risk factors. Unfortunately, some risk factors like age and sex are hard to avoid. However, you can reduce your risk by not being obese and avoiding standing/sitting for long periods of time.
Are Varicose Veins Dangerous?
For many patients, varicose veins are harmless. They may cause confidence issues, but they aren't inherently dangerous. However, some varicose veins can develop ulcers, or they may burst. If this happens, you should seek medical attention.
In extreme cases, you may develop blood clots. This is usually only problematic if the varicose vein developed in a deep leg vein, which is uncommon. Even if your varicose veins aren't dangerous, they can cause aching legs, burning muscle cramping, or itching around a particular vein.
Are There Treatments for Varicose Veins?
You can make some lifestyle choices to reduce your risk and reduce the symptoms of varicose veins. Naturally, this may involve losing weight or getting more active, but compression socks can also help. Luckily, there are surgical options and procedures to better treat varicose veins.
During sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a solution that should kill the unnecessary varicose vein. Vein stripping and an ambulatory phlebectomy may also be recommended. Some treatments use lasers to kill the vein from the outside or inside.
Varicose veins can make you want to hide your legs, but they may also make your legs feel tired and sore all the time. In extreme cases, they can lead to complications like bleeding. If home remedies haven't helped, it may be time for medical intervention. If you would like to know more about varicose veins or if you would like to schedule a consultation, contact a vascular medicine surgery specialist today.
Share22 November 2022
After my thirtieth birthday, I began to notice some unappealing signs of aging on my face. I started to see dark spots and fine lines. Because I wanted to turn back time, I researched non-invasive cosmetic procedures to help people look younger. I was immediately intrigued by microdermabrasion. I began getting microdermabrasion treatments regularly. After each treatment, my skin instantly looked smoother and more vibrant. Within a few weeks, the fine lines under my eyes and around my mouth became less noticeable. On this blog, I hope you will discover the most popular types of cosmetic treatments performed on patients today. Enjoy!