Varicose veins are unsightly and can be painful. If you have painful varicose veins, they can interrupt your daily life. In this case, you should visit Dr. White’s Vein Center and Morgantown Sculpsure & Clear Ink, PLLC. While varicose veins aren’t dangerous, you can improve your quality of life by considering treatment options.
How Varicose Veins Develop
Your leg veins have valves that send blood from your foot back to your heart. A stretch to the vein will stop the valves from growing. This stretch can happen because of the backward flow of blood, causing the vein to feel itchy, achy, or heavy. The stretched veins can become big and look twisted under your skin.
Many experts claim that the development of varicose veins is often not associated with a lifestyle choice. Instead, it has to do with family history. So, if your mother had varicose veins, there is a high chance you inherited a valve that does not work right in your veins. Also, these veins may become dysfunctional because of pregnancy and obesity.
Are they Dangerous?
Varicose veins won’t damage your leg or joints. And while they can cause a clot, it is rarely dangerous. But, varicose veins can be quite uncomfortable. They may feel very hot, itching, or burning. These symptoms are the reason you should seek treatment. Also, you may not be able to exercise regularly because of your varicose veins.
How to Treat Varicose Veins
A lot of effective treatment options are available for varicose veins. They include endovenous laser ablation treatment or EVLT, micro phlebectomy procedures, as well as ligation and stripping surgery. The correct treatment option for you depends on your veins’ anatomy and size, preference, and possible insurance regulations.
When you come in for a consultation with a vein specialist, a non-invasive venous mapping can be performed using ultrasound. Also, your initial visit will include a family history evaluation and physical assessment.
After seeing a doctor, your insurance may require you to try conservative measures before treatment. These include elevating your legs for a minimum of ten minutes a few times every day, wearing appropriate compression stockings, and taking over-the-counter medications. From there, you will revisit your doctor to review your treatment options, benefits, risks, and recovery time. Your doctor can guide you when deciding your varicose vein treatment.
While varicose veins don’t just go away on their own, they can become less visible. Also, your symptoms may temporarily disappear, especially when you lose weight or stay more physically active. If you want to get rid of your varicose veins for good, you should consult a vein doctor.