While often associated with women of “a certain age”, varicose veins can occur at any time in life and are found to occur in both genders, although they are more prevalently diagnosed in women. Before you decide to seek varicose veins treatment in Orlando, here are some important facts that you should know about varicose veins:
- Varicose veins occur mainly in the thighs, legs and feet, although they can occur elsewhere in the body. They do not always cause discomfort.
- Varicosity is sometimes more of a cosmetic issue than it is a serious medical issue. They are unsightly and a cause of embarrassment. Be sure to pay attention to changes that require medical advice.
- Age is a contributing factor of developing varicose veins, as is obesity.
- Varicose veins can occur during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes. Also, taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy can also trigger their occurrence.
- The most prevalent cause of varicose veins seems to be associated with a weakness in the walls of the veins, weakness or absence of valves in the vein, or venous disease. When the blood is not circulating properly, as a result of either kind of weakness, it begins to pool and the buildup of blood then causes the vein to distend or bulge.
- Varicose veins can cause your legs to feel heavy, achy, or tired. Your veins may appear visibly swollen, and you may see swelling in your ankles and feet. Some patients even report itchiness.
- In severe cases of varicose veins, you may experience ulcerations of the skin, leg and/or calf pain after standing or sitting for too long, leg swelling, dry/scaly skin that cracks, and large areas of discoloration. The legs or feet may start to look blue or purple in color, and the veins look thick, bulging or crooked.
There are several things that you can do at home to try to alleviate the discomfort of varicose veins such as:
- Wearing support hose to help stabilize the pressure in your veins, which allows blood to circulate more normally.
- Reducing the period of time you spend standing or sitting in one place.
- Forcing yourself to either sit, or walk around, as any kind of different motion will help your veins function more efficiently.
- Exercising regularly and keep your weight down.
- Trying to elevate your legs so that your ankles are higher than your heart for 15 minute periods, several times a day.
If you notice increased pain or swelling in your ankles or legs, you should consult a medical professional.
To learn more about varicose veins and varicose veins treatment in Orlando options available, please call (407) 805-8989 and schedule an appointment with Florida Vein Center. Dr. Bragg and his staff are here to help and to answer any questions you may have.
