Have you recently noticed bulging on your legs or spots of discoloration? If so, it could be due to varicose veins, a common health issue that – aside from being a cosmetic concern – can also become a painful and uncomfortable one too. When left without treatment, it may also cause leg ulcers.
While you may choose to hide your varicose veins beneath long skirts or pants, it’s helpful to understand what actually causes them, how to prevent them, and also how they can be treated so that you can get your confidence back and start showing your legs once again.
So if all you know about varicose veins is that you don’t want them, here are some facts to help you understand this condition a little more.
All veins have small one-way valves that help keep our blood flowing in the right direction. Problems occur when these valves fail and allow that blood to move backward and leak into the space between the skin and muscle. This excess pressure causes the veins to widen so that they don’t close properly and leads to varicose veins.
This vascular condition is more common than you might think – it affects one in five adults in the U.S and is more common in women than men. In fact, to put that into perspective, that’s around 20-25 million Americans that are estimated to be suffering from varicose veins. So what about some of the factors that increase the risk? Well, they include:
While you may have no say over your genetics, there are a few simple things you can do to help lower your chances of developing this vascular disease.
At MINT, we recommend keeping a healthy weight, exercising regularly, not spending long periods of time standing or sitting, not wearing high heels too often, and not wearing clothing that’s too tight on your thighs and waist. While we can’t guarantee that following this advice will help you avoid this condition for definite, it will certainly help lower your risk.
Some feel pain, others may not. In some cases, varicose veins may just be a problem from a cosmetic point of view and not actually cause any pain. On the other hand, sometimes the pressure in the veins can cause swelling in the legs which can become quite uncomfortable. People often describe the pain as a feeling of burning, heaviness, achiness, or throbbing in the legs.
The good news is that these symptoms aren’t medically serious and can be treated if they’re bothering you and affecting your daily life. That said, it’s important to keep a close eye on your veins and make sure you give MINT a call if you notice any unusual changes such as swelling, tenderness, or bleeding.
What can happen if I don’t get treatment for my varicose veins?
If varicose veins are causing you problems, it’s not a good idea to leave them untreated – more often than not they only worsen over time. They can continue to increase pain in the leg, decreasing your activity levels or may even begin to bleed spontaneously.
Having your veins treated helps you to feel better about your appearance while also eliminating any pain that they may cause. Modern treatments are extremely effective in removing varicose veins with few complications, minimal pain, and barely noticeable scars. We recommend you give our friendly team here at MINT Institute a call to get started on your path to treatment as soon as possible.
You’ll be happy to hear that nowadays there are more treatment options than ever before when it comes to varicose veins. Modern technology has allowed us to offer a wide variety of treatment options, depending on the severity of your problem. From minimally invasive procedures like vein ablations to phlebectomy and beyond, MINT Institute aims to make your experience a positive one and restore your confidence.
With our state-of-the-art equipment and skilled medical team, you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands. To learn more, why not schedule a consultation today on 314 255 2204 or click here to request an appointment at one of our 5 clinics, including the latest addition in Chicago, IL.
