Are Varicose Veins Dangerous?
If you struggle with varicose veins, it is important to know you are not alone. Those twisting, swollen blue veins can creep up on your legs, feet, calves, as well as other parts of the body. They are the result of weakened blood vessels, which allow blood to pool underneath the skin. While some patients at Advanced Vein Therapy often initially seek treatment for cosmetic reasons, it is important to know the dangers that varicose veins pose and the impact they can have on your overall health.
Common Myths About Varicose Veins
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), varicose veins impact roughly one out of every four adults in the United States. Despite being common, most people dismiss them as merely a cosmetic issue, with little or no impact on their overall health.
Unfortunately, this is just one of the numerous myths about varicose veins. The fact is they do have significant health impacts, such as causing pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation, which can weaken limbs and keep you from getting a good night’s rest. Other common misconceptions about varicose veins include:
- Varicose veins affect mainly women. While women are twice as likely to develop varicose veins, millions of men suffer from them as well.
- Varicose veins are a sign of getting old. While varicose veins do tend to increase as you get older, they are not simply a result of aging. They run in families and can impact people in their 20s or younger.
- Varicose veins only appear on the surface of the skin. While they are most often associated with the thick, ropey, rough patches of skin that are visible to the naked eye, varicose veins can appear deeper within your body and in areas that are not visible as well.
- Varicose veins are a result of physical activity or standing on your job. It is a common myth that standing for long periods of time or engaging in activities such as running or jogging causes varicose veins. However, even people who do not engage in these activities or work behind a desk can find themselves affected.
Varicose Veins: Know the Facts
Varicose veins can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious about your physical appearance, particularly when wearing shorts or a bathing suit. This is a strong motivating factor for many people who seek treatment at Advanced Vein Therapy. However, it is important to not ignore the potential health impacts varicose veins can have and the underlying conditions they could be covering.
In addition to the pain and discomfort varicose veins cause they can put you at risk for skin conditions, such as dermatitis, while increasing the likelihood that blood clots will form. In severe cases, varicose veins can end up resulting in deep vein thrombosis, which arises when blood clots that have formed loosen and make their way to the lungs, where they can dangerously impede blood flow and strain the heart.”
If you have varicose veins and experience aching, itching, throbbing, or cramping in the affected area, contact our board certified and sub-specialty trained radiologists to discuss treatment options. If you experience sudden pain in your chest, dizziness, and difficulty breathing, go to the nearest hospital emergency room as this could indicate a potentially life threatening condition.
Advanced Vein Therapy Offers You Treatment Options
Protect yourself against the potential dangers of varicose veins by reaching out to Advanced Vein Therapy. One of the most common myths about this condition is that the only options for treatment are surgical procedures, which require a hospital stay and considerable downtime.
The fact is that our Boise radiologists offer several safe, non-invasive procedures for varicose veins, which can leave you up and walking out of our office within 15-30 minutes of treatment. These include:
- Venaseal, which permanently treats varicose veins close to the surface of the skin; with the Venaseal procedure, patients are not required to wear compression stockings after the procedure, and you will be able to return to regular activities immediately.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), which uses radiofrequency energy to target varicose veins; these bursts of energy cause the collagen in the vein walls to contract so they collapse and seal. Over time, blood reroutes to healthy veins, and you regain healthy looking and feeling legs
- Ambulatory Phlebectomy, which uses tiny incisions that do not require stitches to reach damaged veins right below the skin’s surface; this micro incision allows us to use local anesthesia to maximize your comfort.
- Endovenous Laser Treatment, or EVLT, which is a treatment to close damaged veins, rerouting blood towards healthier areas;
- Sclerotherapy, which involves minor injections and minimal discomfort, allowing you to engage in your usual activities immediately after.
To find out more about varicose veins and Idaho vein care, the impact they can have on your health, and the treatment options available, contact our Boise office and request an appointment with Advanced Vein Therapy today.