When discussing vein concerns, you cannot omit varicose veins. This condition occurs when vein valves are not functioning properly. Your veins comprise valves that ensure your blood flow in the right direction. However, damage in these valves will cause blood to pool in your veins, especially your legs. Consequently, you will notice twisted blue blood vessels on your skin. This condition can impair skin texture and even cause itchiness when left untreated. Therefore, if you notice these ropy blood vessels on your skin, you should seek the necessary treatment from Ariel Soffer MD, FACC. While anticipating the treatments, there are misconceptions you should never believe about varicose veins.
This Condition Is Purely Cosmetic
Many people believe that varicose veins are only a cosmetic issue. While these twisted veins can interfere with your attractiveness, they can also trigger other concerns. For example, they can cause aching legs, hindering your mobility. Worst, they could indicate that you have chronic venous insufficiency, which elicits ulcers and poor wound healing. In most severe cases, they can necessitate amputation.
Varicose Veins Only Affect Women
While women are more predisposed to this vein problem, men can also have bulging veins. Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause are the ones that expose women to complications in vein walls. However, men from a family with a history of varicose veins are also likely to suffer from this condition. Poor lifestyle habits like smoking can also increase the chances of getting varicose veins among men.
Exercise Will Worsen Your Varicose Vein
Perhaps you have heard some people claiming that physical activities will aggravate the varicose vein. The reality is that regular exercise will improve not only your overall health but also your vein health. Leg exercises like walking for at least thirty minutes daily will help to strengthen leg muscles. With stronger muscles, it becomes easy for your leg veins to carry blood back to your heart.
Varicose Veins and Spider Veins Refer to the Same Thing
Some people use the two words interchangeably to refer to the same condition. However, there are differences between the varicose vein and the spider vein. Essentially, varicose are blue vessels, while spider veins are purple. Further, spider veins are much smaller than the varicose vein. The spider vein may go untreated, but the varicose vein will necessitate treatment at some point.
Treatment Options Are Painful
Previously, the varicose vein treatments involved tripping of the bulging vein. The invasive treatments were agonizing and had a long recovery time. Thanks to the advancement of modern technology, you can now lean on less invasive treatments for this vein concern. For example, sclerotherapy involves injecting the solution into the damaged vein. Consequently, the unsightly veins will collapse and diminish with no downtime.
Do you have twisted blue vessels in your legs? If yes, you could suffer from varicose veins. This condition occurs when you have a malfunction of vein valves leading to blood accumulation in your veins. Fortunately, different varicose vein treatments can help you restore the quality of your life. When seeking those treatments, the above-busted myths will give you deeper insight into the varicose vein. For example, if you believe that varicose vein is a women’s condition, you will learn that it can also affect men. Further, you will understand the differences between varicose and spider veins.