When your veins are working as they should, they help keep deoxygenated blood flowing back to your heart. Sometimes, these veins can become either weakened or damaged, causing them to transport blood ineffectively. Some common risk factors for developing varicose veins include genetics and sedentary lifestyle.
Regardless of the cause, though, compromised veins become more visible, often taking on a twisted or bulging appearance. While you might think this is just a cosmetic concern, there can be several consequences of leaving varicose veins untreated.
The Risks of Untreated Varicose Veins
Because varicose veins and visible spider veins, or telangiectasia, can cause blood to pool in your legs, you may start experiencing swelling and a heavy, aching feeling. This can make it uncomfortable to stand for long periods of time. You may notice that the pain decreases whenever you move or raise your legs and walk around.
Varicose Vein Symptoms
- Pain over the bulging veins
- A burning sensation in your calf or thigh
- Discomfort or pain in your legs
- Dry, itchy skin
- Slow-healing leg wounds
- Numbness or tingling
- Heaviness,
- Tiredness
- Aching
Vein disease causes chronic pain, and without treatment, the circulatory problems won’t go away.
Are Untreated Varicose Veins Dangerous?
De-oxygenated blood pooling in the legs contains toxins that are unhealthy for the tissue of the leg. Untreated varicose veins can also lead to a range of other dangerous conditions, such as:
- Spontaneous bleeding: Because varicose veins are close to your skin’s surface, any small cut can make these veins burst, causing spontaneous, extensive bleeding.
- Venous ulcers: Whether they occur on your ankles or legs, venous ulcers can cause tenderness, swelling and discharge. These wounds are slow-healing, which increases their chances of infection.
- Superficial thrombophlebitis: This condition is caused by inflammation of veins right below the skin’s surface. Symptoms can range from redness to leg swelling and pain.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis: Typically occurring in the legs, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) causes symptoms such as warmth, cramping, swelling and pain. These clots are located within deep veins and have the potential to break off and lead to a pulmonary embolism.
Reasons To Seek Vein Care
Care is Typically Covered by Insurance
Are you concerned about the cost of treatment? If you have insurance, you more than likely won’t need to worry. Most insurance carriers will cover the cost of varicose vein care—making it easier for you to get the care you need before it becomes a larger issue that needs more complex treatment. Spider veins, on the other hand, may not be covered as it is normally considered to be a cosmetic issue. If cost is a concern, talk to your insurance provider to see whether they will shoulder the cost of varicose or spider vein treatment.
Ignored Venous Disease Can Lead to Bigger Issues
Varicose veins are formed when vein valves weaken and blood pools in the vein. Over time, this blood pooling can lead to larger health issues. Venous insufficiency can become chronic to the point where various other problems can begin to form from not being treated. Not seeking treatment can cause blood clots and venous ulcers to form from blood pooling. In some cases, blood clots can travel to the lungs, causing deep vein thrombosis. Treatment for these conditions can be more stressful than undergoing a simple, noninvasive procedure for varicose veins. As you can see, it’s worth treating varicose veins early while they’re only a minor irritant.
Excellent Specialists Can Deliver Quality Treatment
A common concern about most medical treatments is whether the physician is reputable, knowledgeable, and caring. If you have a serious venous issue or a deficiency that could potentially lead to a larger issue over time, it’s better to find out sooner while in the hands of compassionate practitioners.
How to Treat Varicose Veins
At Central Florida Vein and Vascular Center, we provide minimally invasive varicose vein treatments for patients of all ages. No matter what symptoms or circulatory condition you are facing, our board-certified, fellowship-trained vascular surgeons will be with you every step of the way, discussing every detail and treatment option with you.
All of our treatments are done in-office and allow you to return to light-duty work immediately.
Learn more about treatment options:
- Overview of treating varicose veins
- How Vein Treatment Has Changed
- Most Common Treatment Options for Varicose Veins
- Am I Too Old to Treat My Varicose Veins?
- Men Opting for Varicose Vein Treatments
- Treating Varicose Veins: Laser Heat or Radiofrequency?
- Varicose Vein Treatment Severity
- Best Season to Choose for Treating Varicose Veins
Learn More About Our Minimally Invasive Treatments
If you’ve been experiencing uncomfortable or painful symptoms of varicose veins, the physicians at Central Florida Vein and Vascular Center are here to help. We can provide a diagnosis and develop a minimally invasive treatment plan tailored to your needs. To learn more about our procedures and start receiving treatment, schedule a consultation today.
