Got Varicose Veins? Now Is the Time to Plan Ahead!
Although varicose veins and spider veins can certainly be cosmetic issues that greatly impact your life and self-image, they may also pose a number of medical concerns associated with underlying vein issues. By understanding the risks and factors that contribute to vein disease, you can be better prepared to take preventative measures towards vein disease.
Although there may be certain factors you simply cannot avoid-including genetics, age, and gender- there are many preventative measures you can take to decrease your risk for damage, disease, and unwanted symptoms.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T TREAT MY VEIN DISEASE?
There are several adverse consequences of untreated vein disease, and It’s severity will vary from person to person depending on their circumstances. Many people who don’t treat their vein disease will experience continued symptoms of pain, fatigue and swelling of the legs or ankles. More advanced medical problems can include hyper pigmentation, venous leg ulcers, spontaneous bleeding, and superficial thrombophlebitis. If you’re unsure of the severity of your vein disease, you should come in today at the Alpha Vein Clinic Las Vegas so we can determine the severity of your condition and whether treatment is necessary!
VEIN DISEASE:
Blood that pools in the veins is depleted of oxygen and nutrients. The veins also do not tolerate high pressure well and begin to allow red blood cells and fluid to leak into the tissues of the leg, which causes painful swelling. The red blood cells in the tissues cause chronic inflammation and the skin becomes dark and discolored. The medical term for the dark discoloration is hyperpigmentation. When the skin and the fat under the skin are inflamed for years, the tissues become woody and firm. The medical term for this woody, hard tissue is lipodermatosclerosis.
A condition that may occur over time, when there is chronic venous insufficiency, is in fact a venous leg ulcer. The ulcers due to venous Insufficiency are painful and difficult to heal. Sometimes the ulcers cannot be healed until the backward blood flow in the veins is corrected.
OTHER CONSEQUENCES:
Another possible consequence of untreated vein disease is spontaneous bleeding from the varicose veins. As the skin over the veins becomes thin, eventually the vein can be exposed to the outside world and be easily injured by clothing, bedding, etc. The blood loss can be significant .
Superficial thrombophlebitis (ST) is an inflammation of a vein just below the surface of the skin. The cause of inflammation is not an infection. Rather, inflammation is due to decreased blood flow through the vein, damage to the vein and blood clotting. The features of (ST) include redness to the skin and a firm, tender, warm vein. Localized leg pain and swelling may occur as well.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), unlike (ST), can be associated with significant and serious medical problems. (DVT) is often first noticed as a “pulling” sensation in the calf of the lower leg, and it can be quite painful. Symptoms also include associated warmth, redness and swelling. The swelling often extends to above the knee.
Risk factors for vein disease include:
Age
Family history of this condition
Female gender (related to levels of the hormone progesterone)
Obesity
Pregnancy
Sitting or standing for long periods
Symptoms:
Pain or other symptoms include:
Dull aching, heaviness, or cramping in legs
Itching and tingling
Pain that gets worse when standing
Pain that gets better when legs are raised
Skin changes in the legs include:
Swelling of the legs
Irritated or cracked skin if you scratch it
Red or swollen, crusty and weepy skin (stasis dermatitis)
Varicose veins on the surface
Thickening and hardening of the skin on the legs and ankles
Wound or ulcer that is slow to heal on the legs or ankles
If any of this sounds familiar or you are having symptoms, It is very necessary for you to be seen so you can find out if treatment is something you need. Here at the Alpha Vein Clinic Las Vegas we specialize in vein treatment in all different forms for all different conditions. Call us today to schedule your appointment at (702) 430 7661. Our dedicated staff is here to answer any questions you may have before scheduling your appointment. So don’t wait for your vein pain to get so bad that you have no choice but to go to a doctor. Come in today let us make your vein pain and worries a thing of the past!
Alpha Vein Clinic
3150 N. Tenaya Way Ste. 400
Las Vegas, NV, 89128
(702) 430 7661
Dr. Sassan Kaveh