Many patients suffering from varicose veins do not seek treatment because they believe varicose veins are a strictly cosmetic problem. However, bulging, swollen veins may be an indication of a more serious underlying vein disease that can affect your health – sometimes seriously. Many patients find that when they have their varicose veins treated, they also notice increased mobility and decreased pain and discomfort.
What are the signs and symptoms of vein disease?
Some of the signs and symptoms of vein disease that may indicate that you need to seek treatment from an experienced vein doctor include:
- Swelling of the lower extremities. Swelling of the lower legs, ankles, and feet can be painful and make it difficult to get around.
- Bulging veins in the lower extremities, sometimes dark in color. These veins may be a combination of spider veins or varicose veins.
- Sores on the lower legs, ankles, or feet that do not heal, take a long time to heal, or experience complications.
- Aching around the knee, ankle, or thigh when sitting or lying down for long periods.
- Red, warm, tender areas on the lower extremities.
- Fatigue in the lower extremities, making walking and other exercise challenging.
What can happen if varicose veins are left untreated?
When left untreated, varicose veins run the risk of causing additional complications to the patient. Minor complications may include increased pain and fatigue and decreased mobility. More serious complications can include lipodermosclerosis, hyperpigmentation, spontaneous bleeding, venous leg ulcers, or superficial thrombophlebitis. Fortunately, untreated varicose veins are not related to deep vein thrombosis, a potentially life-threatening complication which result from other forms of severe vein disease.
Because only approved testing by an experienced vascular surgeon can determine the severity of your vein disease, it’s important that patients schedule consultation or evaluation with a board-certified vein doctor at a trusted vein clinic for any spider or varicose vein issues and treatment.
