No, You Shouldn’t Leave Varicose Veins Untreated
They’re unsightly. They bulge. They can be blue, purple, or reddish in color. They usually occur in the legs.
In case you hadn’t already guessed it, we’re talking about varicose veins. Varicose veins develop when the veins in the legs are no longer efficiently pumping the blood back up to your heart. The blood can flow backward, pool, and cause the veins to distend and become swollen.
Aside from being a cosmetic issue, varicose veins can also be painful, itchy, and make your legs feel heavier. While genetics is one common risk factor for developing varicose veins, others are also common. Pregnancy, obesity, being sedentary or being on your feet for prolonged periods, as well as age, are other common risk factors for the development of varicose veins.
There are things that you can do to help diminish varicose veins if you already have them or help to diminish the risk of the varicose veins from ever developing. When pregnant, elevate your feet when possible. You may also want to consider compression stockings. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, get up and get moving! This can help curb the other risk factor, obesity, as well. If you’re on your feet a lot, take time to sit down and, if possible, elevate your feet.
While all of these steps can help with varicose veins, if you have developed them and the above do not appear to be helping, you might want to consider having your varicose veins professionally treated. If you leave varicose veins untreated, you could place yourself at risk for developing some potentially dangerous conditions, such as the following:
Skin Ulcers
Blood pooling in your veins also means that blood isn’t getting to where it needs to go. That includes wounds, which need blood flow to heal. Leaving varicose veins untreated can lead to skin ulcers from small cuts or minor wounds that refuse to heal. The area will swell, and the tension from the veins prevents the swelling from receding. In order to treat the veins, you’ll have to first treat the swelling.
Spontaneous Bleeding
Varicose veins are very close to the surface of the skin. This occurs when the delicate valves that keep blood flowing in the veins fail to work properly. As a result, blood leaks out of the veins and pools in the leg. A relatively minor wound like a cut or a nick can result in extensive bleeding.
A patient with varicose veins will remain at risk for this until the veins are treated. If left untreated, spontaneous bleeding from varicose veins can lead to serious health complications, such as anemia and blood clots. Fortunately, there are treatments available that can help to improve the condition of the veins and reduce the risk of spontaneous bleeding.
Lipodermatosclerosis
This is venous insufficiency that can lead to the hardening and discoloration of the skin around varicose veins. This is due to inflammation of the subcutaneous fat layer, which is the layer of fat just below the skin. Lipodermatosclerosis can result in pain and swelling around the varicose veins, especially around the ankles.
Lipodermatosclerosis is often the result of poor circulation, and it can be made worse by standing for long periods of time or by carrying extra weight. Treatment for the condition typically includes measures to improve circulation, such as compression stockings and exercise. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the affected tissue. Left untreated, Lipodermatosclerosis can lead to serious health complications, including ulceration and infection.
Blood Clots
This is one of the more serious effects that can occur if varicose veins are left untreated. One of the worst of these is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can send you to the emergency room if it develops. The primary risk here is that the blood clot can break off, which can result in the potentially fatal condition called a pulmonary embolism. Blood clots will need to be treated as soon as possible to avoid this from happening.
The good news is that there are several treatment options for varicose veins. Contact a specialist for treatment for your varicose veins today.
Sources:
Center for Vein Restoration: Why You Shouldn’t Leave Varicose Veins Untreated
Pristyn Care: What Happens If Varicose Veins Are Not Treated?
