Men Can Get Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are only for women ... fact or myth? Myth! Although those purplish, twisted, swollen veins known as varicose veins tend to develop on women more often than men, the simple fact is that men, too, can develop them. Only older men get varicose veins ... fact or myth? Myth again! The fact about varicose veins is that, because they often develop because of blood circulation problems, men of all ages can develop them. If you're a man whose job has him sitting all day long, you're at a much greater risk of developing varicose veins than other men who are more active. By the same token, if you're a man whose job has him standing in one place most of the day, you have a higher risk of developing varicose veins. There are a number of reasons why men, just like women, can develop varicose veins. Following is more information about the causes and risk factors of varicose veins, as well as information on varicose vein treatment in Morristown and throughout the country.
Risk factors of Varicose Veins
A number of the major risk factors for both men and women overlap when it comes to developing varicose veins. However, many women who develop varicose veins do so because of hormonal imbalances during pregnancy or from taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (typically during menopause). For men, the biggest risk factors of varicose vein development are obesity, aging, prolonged sitting or sitting (typically on the job), smoking or use of other tobacco products, and heredity. For many men, however, aging is a big risk factor, as recent medical studies have shown that as many as half of all men over the age of 70 will develop varicose veins.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Many men who have varicose veins will not develop symptoms over and above the ugly appearance of their web-like veins. However, there are other symptoms that men may face, especially if they are over 50, have sedentary lifestyles, smoke, and/or are overweight (especially if they're significantly overweight). Other symptoms of varicose veins include pain, skin discoloration, itching, burning, tingling, and swelling. It's important for all men who have varicose veins to know that a serious complication can develop from their varicose veins, and that is deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which is a life-threatening blood clot. Varicose veins can also lead to infertility in men.
Treatments of Varicose Veins
There are a number of varicose vein treatments men can opt to have to reduce or eliminate the appearance and other accompanying symptoms of their varicose veins, including compression socks, laser treatment, Sclerotherapy, vein stripping, and Endoscopic vein surgery.
Compression socks: Also known as support hose or compression stockings, compression socks help to squeeze veins, which then helps to redirect blood to the heart, thereby improving circulation.
Laser treatment: Laser treatment works to close smaller veins that have become swollen. Laser treatment sends bursts of light into varicose veins, causing them to fade and disappear.
Sclerotherapy: With Sclerotherapy, your doctor will inject a solution into enlarged veins that will close them off, thereby causing them to fade. Sclerotherapy can be done on an outpatient basis.
Vein stripping: Vein stripping is a medical procedure that involves removing a vein in the affected area with small incisions. For most patients, vein stripping can be done on an outpatient basis.
Endoscopic vein surgery: Endoscopic vein surgery is a medical procedure used in more advanced cases of varicose veins that involve ulcers. In Endoscopic vein surgery, a surgeon will insert a thin video camera into the leg in order to see varicose veins and close them off. The veins are then removed through small incisions. This procedure can also be performed on an outpatient basis.
If you're a man, the bad news is that you can develop varicose veins just like any of the women in your life. However, if you're a man, the good news is that, just like the women in your life, you have numerous options available to you for decreasing or even eliminating the appearance and other accompanying effects of your varicose veins. If you're a man who suffers from symptoms of varicose veins, consider any of the varicose vein treatments available. Contact a vein treatment center for more information or to schedule a consultation.
Risk factors of Varicose Veins
A number of the major risk factors for both men and women overlap when it comes to developing varicose veins. However, many women who develop varicose veins do so because of hormonal imbalances during pregnancy or from taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (typically during menopause). For men, the biggest risk factors of varicose vein development are obesity, aging, prolonged sitting or sitting (typically on the job), smoking or use of other tobacco products, and heredity. For many men, however, aging is a big risk factor, as recent medical studies have shown that as many as half of all men over the age of 70 will develop varicose veins.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Many men who have varicose veins will not develop symptoms over and above the ugly appearance of their web-like veins. However, there are other symptoms that men may face, especially if they are over 50, have sedentary lifestyles, smoke, and/or are overweight (especially if they're significantly overweight). Other symptoms of varicose veins include pain, skin discoloration, itching, burning, tingling, and swelling. It's important for all men who have varicose veins to know that a serious complication can develop from their varicose veins, and that is deep venous thrombosis (DVT), which is a life-threatening blood clot. Varicose veins can also lead to infertility in men.
Treatments of Varicose Veins
There are a number of varicose vein treatments men can opt to have to reduce or eliminate the appearance and other accompanying symptoms of their varicose veins, including compression socks, laser treatment, Sclerotherapy, vein stripping, and Endoscopic vein surgery.
Compression socks: Also known as support hose or compression stockings, compression socks help to squeeze veins, which then helps to redirect blood to the heart, thereby improving circulation.
Laser treatment: Laser treatment works to close smaller veins that have become swollen. Laser treatment sends bursts of light into varicose veins, causing them to fade and disappear.
Sclerotherapy: With Sclerotherapy, your doctor will inject a solution into enlarged veins that will close them off, thereby causing them to fade. Sclerotherapy can be done on an outpatient basis.
Vein stripping: Vein stripping is a medical procedure that involves removing a vein in the affected area with small incisions. For most patients, vein stripping can be done on an outpatient basis.
Endoscopic vein surgery: Endoscopic vein surgery is a medical procedure used in more advanced cases of varicose veins that involve ulcers. In Endoscopic vein surgery, a surgeon will insert a thin video camera into the leg in order to see varicose veins and close them off. The veins are then removed through small incisions. This procedure can also be performed on an outpatient basis.
If you're a man, the bad news is that you can develop varicose veins just like any of the women in your life. However, if you're a man, the good news is that, just like the women in your life, you have numerous options available to you for decreasing or even eliminating the appearance and other accompanying effects of your varicose veins. If you're a man who suffers from symptoms of varicose veins, consider any of the varicose vein treatments available. Contact a vein treatment center for more information or to schedule a consultation.