When to Seek Treatment for Varicose Veins

When to Seek Treatment for Varicose Veins

It’s easy to find someone with varicose veins – more than 40 million Americans have varicose veins. Varicose veins affect one out of two people over the age of 50. Many people live with this venous disease without knowing they have it, or without knowing the seriousness of the bulging veins on their legs. If a person is questioning whether or not they have a serious vein issue, it’s best to try and diagnose the problem to determine whether or not treatment is necessary. The earlier the treatment, the better.

Diagnosing Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are a sign that the blood in the veins isn’t flowing properly. This disorder occurs when the Great Saphenous Vein breaks down; this is an internal vein on the inside of the thigh.  This breakdown causes one-way valves in the legs to fail leading to the pooling of blood. This blood pooling creates a pressure that causes veins to stretch, bulge, and become varicose.

Many people, especially men, try to live with pain and often ignore signs of a venous disease. Venous diseases cannot improve on their own, so they need treatment. Here is a list of signs and symptoms that occur for a person to see out treatment:

• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and/or feet
• Pain in the legs, debilitating pain
• Pain in the legs after prolonged sitting or standing
• Sore on skin that will not heal
• Itchy, irritated skin
• Swollen veins
• Achy, heaviness, tingling in the legs
• Color changes in the legs or ankles

If a person is experiencing one or several of these symptoms (mild or severe), there is a good possibility he or she is suffering from varicose veins.  The sooner a person seeks treatment, the less likely his or her disease will get worse, and treatment will be easier. The above symptoms can be found in both women and men. There is a chance an unsightly vein on the skin or pain in the legs may not be a venous disease or harmful at all; however, it’s better to have a doctor to professionally diagnose the problem.

Seeking Out a Doctor

Whether its cosmetic, an unknown problem, or a serious concern, a vein doctor will determine what treatment plan is best for the patient based on his or her symptoms and expectations. The doctor will examine the problem areas, and take note of all symptoms and issues. The great saphenous vein is only visible with an ultra sound test, so a doctor will order this test for a person with bulging veins.

A doctor may suggest a lifestyle change in order to better the situation, including: losing weight, increasing exercise, elevating the legs, wearing looser clothing, wearing compression stockings, and avoiding standing or sitting for long period of time. If the condition is more severe, the doctor may suggest sclerotherapy, microphlebectomy, endovenous ablation, or targeted endovenous therapy.

If you’ve started to notice potentially unhealthy veins on your body, especially the lower half, now is the best time to seek treatment from a skilled vein specialist. The quicker you get a venous disease diagnosed, the quicker you’ll feel better. If you live in the Tampa or Safety Harbor area, contact Dr. Zuzga of West Florida Vein Center today at 727-712-3233.