If you have been diagnosed with varicose veins, no doubt you have questions about how they developed and what you can do about them. Your varicose vein doctor in the Tampa area wants you fully informed on this common vascular condition. After all, knowledge empowers you to make good decisions about treatment and prevention.
Let’s talk about five facts about varicose veins and where you can go for outstanding treatment of varicose veins in St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, and Largo, FL.
Fact #1 Numerous American Adults Have Varicose Veins
Studies show that about one out of every four people in the United States has varicose veins–those ropelike, blue, and very prominent veins in the lower extremities. In contrast, women develop varicose veins and tiny spider veins more than men.
Fact #2 Varicose Veins Can Occur Anywhere on the Body
Most varicose veins develop in the legs, ankles, and feet. Spider veins show up in those areas as well, but many people have them on their faces.
Also, people can have these incompetent veins in areas such as the rectum, vagina, and scrotum. Varicose veins in the scrotum are called varicoceles, and they can cause male infertility if left untreated.
Fact #3 Symptoms of Varicose Veins May Vary
For some people, bulging varicose veins are simply unsightly. However, for others, symptoms become very noticeable. These include:
- Itchy, rough, discolored skin
- Leg ulcers
- Bleeding
- Aching, fatigued legs
- Leg, foot, and ankle swelling
- Pain and muscle cramps
These symptoms may start when a person is too sedentary or if a job keeps a worker standing still for long periods. Heavy lifting can cause varicose veins known as hemorrhoids. Plus, pregnancy causes many women to develop varicose and spider veins.
Fact #4 Heredity Is One of The Risk Factors for Varicose Veins
Yes, varicose veins and their incompetent interior valves can run in families. However, other conditions factor into their development, including:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Lack of exercise
- Low fiber diet and poor hydration
- Age (middle age and up)
- Leg trauma
Research shows that understanding your risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency can help you and your vascular surgeon plan preventive treatment methods to avoid or manage the severity of varicose veins, blood clots, ulcers, and more.
Fact #5 You May Not Need Surgical Treatment
Thankfully, due to many innovative treatments, many cases of varicose veins do not need surgical treatments, such as vein stripping or phlebectomy. In fact, your varicose vein doctor may suggest lifestyle changes such as:
- Wearing compression stockings
- Including vitamins C, B, and E and nutritional flavonoids in the diet or supplement form
- Getting light exercise on a regular basis
- Leg elevation
- Stopping all smoking and tobacco products
- Losing weight
- Wearing low-heeled shoes
Also, your vein doctor may evaluate you for in-office procedures such as:
- Sclerotherapy for spider veins and small varicose veins
- Radiofrequency ablation to heat and close selected varicose veins
- Endovenous laser treatments to close off problem veins with laser light
- Injections of VenaSeal adhesive
These procedures offer a high success rate and quickly get patients back to their normal routines.
Dr. Edward G. Mackay and Associates: The Varicose Vein Experts
Dr. Mackay is more than a varicose vein doctor. He’s a vascular surgeon who holds medical patents for many innovative, effective, and patient-friendly procedures, which relieve varicose vein symptoms, improve blood flow, and give people back their self-confidence and freedom of movement.
To learn more about varicose veins or arrange your in-depth consultation with Dr. Mackay, call us today at (727) 349-5652. Alternatively, you can request your appointment online.
