5 Reasons to Get Varicose Vein Treatment

For most people who have varicose veins, the condition is largely a cosmetic nuisance. Superficial veins just below the surface of the skin of your legs become dark, twisted, and unsightly. 

Sometimes, however, varicose veins may be connected with more serious issues, so an assessment with a vascular specialist like Enrique Hernandez, MD, at Advanced Vascular Cardiac & Veins in Miami, Florida, can be a valuable preventive health service. 

Today, we’ve prepared a list of five reasons to get varicose vein treatment when these sometimes troublesome blood vessels make an appearance. 

1. Aesthetics

Varicose veins form when valves inside your veins start to fail. Since veins carry blood back to the heart, they sometimes work against gravity, so these valves prevent the backward flow of blood. Until they begin to fail, that is. 

When these valves falter, blood tends to pool, pushing back vein walls, increasing venous blood pressure, and starting a chain reaction of more failed veins. That’s when blue, purple, and red varicose veins begin to appear, bulging under the skin’s surface, and taking on their characteristic gnarled appearance. 

Dr. Hernandez offers treatments that reduce and eliminate unsightly varicose vein tissue. 

2. Aching legs

The blood flow issues associated with varicose veins reduce the efficiency of oxygenation of muscle tissue in the legs. Reduced blood flow can cause aches and cramps, particularly when you’re climbing stairs, exercising, or even just walking briskly. Intermittent problems can become chronic without treatment. 

3. Restless legs syndrome

If you’ve found that your legs feel twitchy as you approach bedtime, or you’ve noticed an increase in nighttime leg cramps, it could be associated with varicose veins. Called restless legs syndrome (RLS), you may find that varicose vein treatment improves your condition when it’s a contributing factor to RLS. 

4. Skin problems

Like your muscles, your skin also suffers from less efficient circulation. Skin dries out and becomes more fragile. Simply scratching your legs could be enough to cause a wound. 

Minor cuts and scrapes may also take longer to heal, and in some cases, healing is so slow that skin ulcers form. Dr. Hernandez recommends treatments to reduce the problems that varicose veins produce in your skin. 

5. A symptom of serious problems

While varicose veins usually aren’t associated with serious health problems in their early stages, sometimes they’re a result of deeper systemic issues. Even when you have no symptoms other than appearance, it’s a good idea to visit us for a complete evaluation. 

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) doesn’t show through your skin, but varicosity can be active in deep veins as well. You’re at a greater risk of blood clots, which can increase symptoms. A potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism could develop if a blood clot breaks loose and reaches your lungs. 

Even though varicose veins may be just a minor problem for you, it’s worth a visit to Advanced Vascular Cardiac & Veins to be sure you’re not at risk of greater health issues. Request an appointment with our nearest location online or by telephone today.