Varicose veins are an oft misunderstood condition. These bumpy, sometimes obnoxious and unsightly veins could be much more than a simple cosmetic issue. They may be one of the more prominent signals that something is wrong in your legs or arms. Your body might be trying to tell you something about your overall health. Let’s take a closer look at varicose veins by examining six facts that you need to know about this condition.
1. Varicose Veins are Not Harmless Spider Veins
Varicose veins and spider veins are two terms that are often used interchangeably by people both in the medical profession and patients. The important thing to understand is that these two conditions are neither interchangeable, nor are they the same. Spider veins are smaller, flatter veins that are fairly harmless. They’re more of a cosmetic issue than anything else. Most men and women have spider veins. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are very different. They’re significantly larger and bulge out of the skin. They are nowhere near as common as spider veins.
2. Varicose Veins Aren’t Vital
The body has a highway of veins that it can use to deliver blood to the various parts of your body. When one pathway closes off, your body naturally reroutes the blood elsewhere. That’s why varicose veins can be treated relatively easily. Your body doesn’t need them to continue functioning. The problem is that they can cause problems when they’re not treated. The Ivein vein center can eliminate your varicose veins.
3. They’re Faulty
Varicose veins are malfunctioning veins. Their valves do not work properly, which means that blood can enter but it cannot exit as efficiently as it needs to. This results in veins that stretch and eventually bulge. Blood remains in these veins much longer than it should, which is the primary reason the varicose veins can become hazardous to your health.
4. They Are a Cause for Concern
Varicose veins can be indicative of a vein where the blood has stopped flowing completely. This condition can be extremely hazardous to your health, as blood proceeds to clot when it stops moving. This can cause further restrictions in your blood flow and hidden future dangers. If the clot ever breaks free from the varicose vein, it could travel to other parts of your body. It could even travel to your brain, where it could cause a stroke, or to your lungs, where it could cause a pulmonary embolism.
5. Symptoms Can Vary
Not everyone has the same symptoms with varicose veins. It’s important to go see a doctor if your legs feel heavy or achy, even if you cannot see varicose veins in your legs. You may also have itchiness and swelling. If left untreated, they can even cause blood clots, so it’s important to see a medical professional if you have any of these symptoms.
While not all cases of varicose veins will develop into something life threatening, they do have the potential to become hazardous to your health. Treating varicose veins is a relatively simple and painless procedure that can be done in one to two visits. By treating them, you can prevent many health problems before they form.
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