Questions About Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are those ugly, bulging veins that you
thought only your grandmother could get, but there are other risk factors for
developing them other than just age. Varicose veins are unattractive, and they
can even become painful if left untreated. But they're not just unattractive.
Because varicose veins are caused by poor blood circulation, they can lead to
serious health problems like DVT (deep venous thrombosis), a blood clot that
forms in a vein deep inside the body that can break off. If this happens, it
can travel to the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism, which can cause death. If
you're someone who suffers from symptoms of varicose veins, you probably have
questions. Following are some of the most common questions about this venous
condition.
What are varicose veins?
The term 'varicose' means 'enlarged or swollen,' and that's just what varicose veins are. They're enlarged, swollen, purplish veins that can occur just about anywhere in the body where there are veins. However, varicose veins typically occur in the legs because of the pressure that can build up from walking, prolonged standing, or even prolonged sitting. Varicose veins can be mild (typically referred to as 'spider veins'), or they can be serious. In this case, varicose veins can be accompanied by pain and additional symptoms.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Varicose veins don't always cause pain. In fact, many people who have them never have any pain whatsoever from their varicose veins. However, when varicose veins are accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention. The most common symptoms of varicose veins are pain that often gets worse when standing, pain that can worsen with prolonged sitting, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, itchiness around the affected areas, burning, and throbbing. Varicose veins can also cause skin ulcers, which is a sign that a patient has a serious form of vascular disease. In the case of skin ulcers, or any other symptoms such as pain, burning, throbbing, etc., patients should seek medical attention.
How can I prevent varicose veins?
Of course, avoiding the development of varicose veins is the best cure. For instance, leading a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition and a low-sodium diet and exercise will promote proper blood circulation and can help to prevent the development of varicose veins. Additionally, avoiding wearing tight clothes or high heels helps to prevent varicose veins. If you're someone whose job causes you to stand or sit for long periods of time, be sure to change positions and get up and walk around periodically in order to get the blood flowing. When resting, elevate your legs in order to promote optimal blood flow. Use sunscreen on your face and legs whenever you're out in the sun. If you're someone who already has varicose veins, try these methods to avoid further advancement of your varicose veins, as well as compression stockings in order to promote healthy circulation.
What are the risk factors of varicose veins?
Age is a major risk factor in developing varicose veins in NJ, since aging causes wear on the circulatory system. Gender is also a risk factor, as women tend to develop varicose veins more often than men, often due to pregnancy, birth control, hormone replacement, as well as hormonal changes. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, female hormones tend to relax vein walls, which is why varicose veins affect women more than men. Additionally, wearing high heels can cause circulation problems. Heredity is also a risk factor. If other members of your family suffer from varicose veins, your chances of getting them are higher. Obesity also is a major risk factor, as extra weight puts extra pressure on the veins and can cause circulation problems. Finally, one of the biggest factors in the development of varicose veins is standing or sitting for too long, as this can cause reduction in blood flow.
When should I seek medical attention?
If your varicose veins become painful, you are at a greater risk of developing a serious circulation problem. One of the biggest risks of varicose veins is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is a condition that can lead to life-threatening blood clots that can travel to the lungs and eventually cause pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism can lead to death. If your varicose veins are painful, seek medical care, especially if symptoms are getting worse. There are several varicose vein treatments available, and many of these are noninvasive.
Sure, varicose veins can be unattractive. They can cause embarrassment and even pain. But they can also cause life-threatening health conditions, and that's why they shouldn't be ignored. If you have varicose veins, consider the various treatment options available for reducing or even eliminating them. Contact a vein center for more information on the treatment options for varicose veins and to schedule a consultation.
What are varicose veins?
The term 'varicose' means 'enlarged or swollen,' and that's just what varicose veins are. They're enlarged, swollen, purplish veins that can occur just about anywhere in the body where there are veins. However, varicose veins typically occur in the legs because of the pressure that can build up from walking, prolonged standing, or even prolonged sitting. Varicose veins can be mild (typically referred to as 'spider veins'), or they can be serious. In this case, varicose veins can be accompanied by pain and additional symptoms.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Varicose veins don't always cause pain. In fact, many people who have them never have any pain whatsoever from their varicose veins. However, when varicose veins are accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention. The most common symptoms of varicose veins are pain that often gets worse when standing, pain that can worsen with prolonged sitting, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, itchiness around the affected areas, burning, and throbbing. Varicose veins can also cause skin ulcers, which is a sign that a patient has a serious form of vascular disease. In the case of skin ulcers, or any other symptoms such as pain, burning, throbbing, etc., patients should seek medical attention.
How can I prevent varicose veins?
Of course, avoiding the development of varicose veins is the best cure. For instance, leading a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition and a low-sodium diet and exercise will promote proper blood circulation and can help to prevent the development of varicose veins. Additionally, avoiding wearing tight clothes or high heels helps to prevent varicose veins. If you're someone whose job causes you to stand or sit for long periods of time, be sure to change positions and get up and walk around periodically in order to get the blood flowing. When resting, elevate your legs in order to promote optimal blood flow. Use sunscreen on your face and legs whenever you're out in the sun. If you're someone who already has varicose veins, try these methods to avoid further advancement of your varicose veins, as well as compression stockings in order to promote healthy circulation.
What are the risk factors of varicose veins?
Age is a major risk factor in developing varicose veins in NJ, since aging causes wear on the circulatory system. Gender is also a risk factor, as women tend to develop varicose veins more often than men, often due to pregnancy, birth control, hormone replacement, as well as hormonal changes. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, female hormones tend to relax vein walls, which is why varicose veins affect women more than men. Additionally, wearing high heels can cause circulation problems. Heredity is also a risk factor. If other members of your family suffer from varicose veins, your chances of getting them are higher. Obesity also is a major risk factor, as extra weight puts extra pressure on the veins and can cause circulation problems. Finally, one of the biggest factors in the development of varicose veins is standing or sitting for too long, as this can cause reduction in blood flow.
When should I seek medical attention?
If your varicose veins become painful, you are at a greater risk of developing a serious circulation problem. One of the biggest risks of varicose veins is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is a condition that can lead to life-threatening blood clots that can travel to the lungs and eventually cause pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism can lead to death. If your varicose veins are painful, seek medical care, especially if symptoms are getting worse. There are several varicose vein treatments available, and many of these are noninvasive.
Sure, varicose veins can be unattractive. They can cause embarrassment and even pain. But they can also cause life-threatening health conditions, and that's why they shouldn't be ignored. If you have varicose veins, consider the various treatment options available for reducing or even eliminating them. Contact a vein center for more information on the treatment options for varicose veins and to schedule a consultation.