According to reports, 23% of people in the US are affected by varicose veins, and the most common places for varicose veins to develop is on the legs. While most people seek varicose vein treatment for aesthetic purposes only, there are other medical reasons to seek medical treatment for varicose veins.
Let’s talk about what varicose veins are, when to seek help for varicose veins on the legs, and where you can go in Tampa Bay, FL, for outstanding varicose veins treatment.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are a common condition caused by improper blood flow. Veins contain small valves that prevent blood from flowing backward as the heart pumps blood throughout the body. As we age, these valves can weaken, causing some blood to leak backward and collect in the veins. This makes veins swell, twist, and bulge under the skin, resulting in varicose veins. They mostly develop in the legs, ankles, and feet.
Varicose veins are most common in older individuals, especially older women. In fact, women are 50% more likely to develop varicose veins compared to men.
Other risk factors for varicose veins include:
- Being overweight
- Having a family history of varicose veins
- Having a job where you stand for a majority of the workday
When to Seek Help for Varicose Veins
You should seek help for varicose veins if you are experiencing intense symptoms, if symptoms are disruptive to your daily life, and/or if home remedies are not working.
Intense symptoms include veins feeling warm and tender to the touch, veins that bleed on their own, and open ulcers in the skin. Disruptive symptoms include sustained, severe pain and swelling in the legs, and if your legs feel heavy and achy by the end of the day or after normal physical activity. If you have these symptoms, you most likely have tried home remedies, which include compression stocking, as well as diet and lifestyle changes.
It is extremely important to see a doctor if home remedies are not working and you are still experiencing symptoms. Some of the symptoms listed above can worsen the conditions; for instance, frequent bleeding veins can lead to blood clots and deep vein clots (deep vein thrombosis). Frequent clots can put you at a higher risk for pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition where a clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow to the rest of the body.
Varicose Vein Treatment Near Me
If you have intense symptoms of varicose veins, for instance, the symptoms are disruptive to your daily life and are not responding to home remedies, visit no other than Edward G. Mackay and Associates.
We offer vein ablation, including sclerotherapy, laser treatment, radiofrequency ablation, and varicose vein surgery. Dr. Edward G. Mackay is a board-certified and fellowship-trained in vascular surgery and performs safe and effective treatments for varicose veins.
If you have varicose veins and need treatment, call us at 727-781-5652 to schedule an appointment today, or go online to request an appointment.
We look forward to getting rid of your varicose veins and improving your health!
