What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are bulging, twisted visible veins that form when valves that normally push blood forward — toward your heart — wear out due to injury or aging. When the valves in your veins don’t work, the blood pools behind the valves, creating unsightly bulges and twists. Varicose veins usually form in your legs.
Why do I have varicose veins?
Almost 25% of women and men in the U.S. have varicose veins. Usually, they appear as you get older, because your veins and their valves wear out over time.
However, you’re more likely to develop varicose veins if:
- You’re female
- You’re overweight or obese
- You’re pregnant
- You have a family member with varicose veins
- You sit or stand for prolonged periods
- You smoke
- You don’t exercise regularly
Losing weight, staying active, and taking breaks every half hour from sitting or standing reduces the chance that you’ll develop varicose veins.
Are varicose veins serious?
For most women and men, varicose veins are simply an aesthetic problem, however, they can cause uncomfortable symptoms and may lead to complications if you don’t get treatment. Potential symptoms include:
- Painful legs
- Swollen legs
- Legs that feel heavy
- Restless legs
- Cramping
- Discolored skin
- Slow wound healing
- Thickened skin
Complications of untreated varicose veins include:
- Venous reflux — pooled blood starts to flow backward, away from the heart
- Ulcers — backed-up blood erodes tissues, especially around the ankles
- Blood clots — from varicose veins that occur deep in your muscles
Varicose vein treatment removes dysfunctional veins and restores health to your legs.
How do podiatrists treat varicose veins?
Dr. LeBeau treats varicose veins by removing them. Varicose veins are dysfunctional veins, and your body quickly reroutes your circulation to healthier veins once Dr. LeBeau removes the unhealthy veins. Treatment options include laser vein removal and sclerotherapy injections.
Dr. LeBeau chooses your treatment plan based on the severity of your varicose veins. If you have large varicose veins, you may need to wear compression garments and limit activities for a week after treatment. Varicose vein treatment increases your sensitivity to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, so wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun for the first few days after your treatment.
To have healthy, varicose-vein-free legs, contact St. Augustine Foot, Ankle & Vein today. Phone the helpful, knowledgeable staff or reach out with the online form.
