The twisty, bulges of varicose veins are a cosmetic concern for many people. In many cases, however, feeling self-conscious in shorts or a bathing suit is far from the only issue. Over one-third of people in the US develop varicose veins, making them extremely common. Thankfully, they’re also highly treatable. And getting the care you need when they reflect a vascular problem is important.
At Upper East Side Cardiology in New York City, Satjit Bhusri, MD, evaluates varicose veins and offers personalized treatments to restore emotional and physical ease. Keep reading to learn more about these veins and related health concerns, as well as effective treatments.
Varicose veins start out as normal veins and become visibly enlarged, ropey, and twisted over time. While anyone can develop them, they’re especially common in women, older adults, and anyone with a family history of the veins. You’re also more likely to have varicose veins if you spend a lot of time on your feet. For this reason, certain vocations, such as hairstyling, bartending, and teaching, are linked with varicose veins.
Even if you aren’t bothered by the look of varicose veins, you may be troubled by the physical discomfort they may cause. Possible medical signs of varicose veins include:
In some cases, varicose veins become quite hard, hot, painful, and discolored. This condition, known as phlebitis, typically improves on its own within two to three months.
If you develop symptoms of varicose veins and they carry on or worsen without any treatment, you run the risk of developing complications, such as:
Depending on the specifics of your condition, Dr. Bhusri may recommend a variety of treatments, such as lifestyle changes or a minimally-invasive procedure. Lifestyle steps that may help include wearing compression stockings, elevating your legs, exercising more regularly, and limiting time spent sitting and standing.
For more severe varicose vein symptoms or those that fail to improve with conservative measures, Dr. Bhusri may recommend endovenous laser ablation, ligation, and stripping, or sclerotherapy. These in-office procedures work by closing off your varicose veins. This forces blood to flow through healthier veins and, over time, your varicose vein will disappear. You may also benefit from additional tests to confirm or rule out related cardiovascular problems.
To learn more about varicose veins, call Upper East Side Cardiology or email us through our website today. We would love to help you get back to a place of improved wellness and comfort.
