Are Varicose Veins Dangerous?

Varicose veins

Before digging deep into the health risks posed by varicose veins, you need to understand more about varicose veins and how they develop and tend to pose many associated health risks. Varicose veins are blood vessels that appear abnormal on the skin’s surface. The blood pooled in these veins makes them bulge and appear twisted on the legs because they try to fit into the same available space after they have pooled the blood inside. Weakened veins are a key cause of varicose veins. Earlier, the medical condition was limited to the aged group, but the sedentary lifestyle today is making varicose veins evident in the younger generation, too. People neglect the presence of varicose veins in their legs until they show some problematic symptoms like pain, swelling, and inflammation in their legs, hindering their regular activities.

Varicose veins are a gradual disease; untreated veins tend to pool more blood, exerting more pressure on them, which in turn impacts their ability to function. Varicose veins can develop anywhere in the body, but they are often seen in the legs because the valves have to act against gravity while circulating blood in the body. Varicose veins are caused by extreme pressure on veins. There is one-way blood flow in veins, and the blood starts pooling at a juncture in the veins. The veins that accumulate blood tend to stretch and bulge, leading to varicose veins. Anybody can be affected by the varicose vein problem, irrespective of gender. However, women are a high number among varicose vein patients because of the hormonal changes at different stages, like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

Should you be worried about varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a medical condition that calls for the earliest treatment for better results. Though they seem to be a mere cosmetic issue, the painful varicose veins could indicate some more health complications that need medical intervention. If you have varicose veins on your legs with worsening symptoms like pain and inflammation, you should be concerned and consult a doctor to be able to manage your varicose veins effectively. Varicose veins could be dangerous if you leave them untreated.

• Swelling in legs

The pooling of blood in veins tends to build pressure on them, and the blood starts releasing fluid into tissues, leading to swelling in the legs. A few indicative signs of swelling on your leg include a feeling of tightness in your skin or an impression on your skin. With the fluid retention in your legs, you may not be able to wear your current shoes as they don’t fit. You may also see your skin releasing a yellowish fluid. Though swelling in the legs could indicate many other medical conditions, you should get them checked for varicose veins when it is accompanied by other varicose veins symptoms like bulging of veins. You can manage swelling in your legs by resting your legs in an elevated position or wearing compression stockings. If the swelling due to varicose veins persists, it could change your skin colour and also harden your skin.

• Skin ulcers

Persistent swelling caused by varicose veins could also lead to skin changes like leg ulcers. You will find it difficult to heal from small injuries because the skin lacks enough oxygen supply due to poor blood circulation. The swollen tissues in the legs limit the nutrient supply that aids in the healing process of the skin. Fluid release into the surrounding tissue puts constant tension on the tissue and creates non-healing ulcers on the skin. You have to take measures to reduce swelling in your legs to promote the healing of the ulcers.

• Skin infection

The worsening symptoms of varicose veins can make your tissues swell and stretch, hindering the body’s ability to fight the infection effectively. The open ulcers can pave the way for external bacteria to enter the body, causing skin infections. You will see swelling on the skin and changes in the skin colour to red. You may need medications to fight the skin infection. Consult the doctor for optimal treatments.

• Bleeding

You may experience symptoms like bleeding from your veins when there is a huge amount of blood pooling in your veins, and these veins are located below the skin’s surface. You can see significant bleeding from veins when there is an accidental hit or cut on your leg veins. The worsening symptoms of varicose veins may even create distinct bruising and may take a longer time to stop bleeding from veins.

• Blood Clots 

Varicose veins are a gradual disease, and worsening symptoms of varicose veins could lead to blood clots when blood pools up in veins and stops circulating. The blood clots that form can progress into superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), depending on the severity of the varicose veins.

Superficial vein thrombosis: It is a blood clot formed in the superficial veins and appears as a red, painful lump on the skin. If the superficial vein thrombosis is within 5-7 cm of the deep vein, it can travel to the lungs and cause pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening health condition. The doctors will be able to diagnose the problem and advise if you need anticoagulation.

Deep vein thrombosis: It is a blood clot formed in deep veins that does not move. The blood clots formed in deep veins may scar tissue in the vein walls and worsen the symptoms of varicose veins, like pain, swelling, and ulcers and lead to pulmonary embolism (PE) in severe cases.

Preventing varicose veins

Many people who have a sedentary lifestyle could develop varicose veins due to inefficient blood circulation in the body. Many other contributing factors to varicose veins include obesity, hormonal changes, genetics, and any occupation that increases pressure on your blood vessels. If you have a risk of developing varicose veins, you should learn about the preventive measures and prevent the chances of developing varicose veins.

• Elevate your legs

Try to rest your legs elevated so that the blood pooled in your legs drains away, reducing the risk of developing varicose veins. You can use a footstool to rest your legs if you are sitting in front of a desk for long hours.

• Keep moving

Keep moving every hour, especially when you spend long hours at a desk job, to make your blood travel back to the heart against gravity and reduce the pressure on veins due to blood pooling.

•  Exercise regularly

Regular exercise is essential to maintain a healthy blood flow in the veins. Exercise keeps your heart healthy and also helps you manage a healthy weight, preventing the chances of developing varicose veins.

• Wearing compression stockings

Doctors recommend wearing compression stockings to foster blood circulation in veins because they apply graduated pressure on veins and relieve you from varicose vein symptoms.

Treatments for varicose veins

Seeking effective treatments for varicose veins is important not only to manage the symptoms but also to treat the underlying cause of varicose veins. Here are a few effective treatments for varicose veins.

• Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure to treat smaller varicose veins and spider veins. The experts inject a special solution into the damaged veins to irritate them and collapse them. The blood now stops passing through these veins, and the underlying cause is effectively treated. Spider vein treatment tends to be a cosmetic issue. However, the focus is all about treating the underlying vein problem and the treatment process is covered by all insurance companies.

• Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)

Endovenous Laser ablation is a simple process used for treating varicose veins. Experts use laser energy in the process. The treatment nullifies the presence of damaged veins by collapsing them with the help of laser energy. The minimally invasive procedure focuses on improving blood circulation and alleviating the symptoms of varicose veins. The ELVA process is effective in treating larger varicose veins.

•  Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency ablation is very similar to laser treatment. Heat energy is passed through affected and damaged veins to close and interrupt the blood flow through them. The treated veins get absorbed into the body eventually. As the problematic veins are removed from blood circulation pathways, you will experience great relief from varicose vein symptoms for a longer period.

Conclusion

Varicose veins may seem to be a cosmetic issue in the initial phase, but they are a sign of a serious underlying issue that is progressive. The varicose veins problem tends to show many uncomfortable symptoms, affecting one’s ability to conduct regular activities. Though not dangerous in the initial stages, it may progress to many complications that are not only difficult to heal but also life-threatening at times. You should always consult a vein doctor at Avis Hospitals to treat the presence of varicose veins and experience better and long-lasting results. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

• Are varicose veins dangerous?

Varicose veins are not dangerous at first sight, but they may develop more serious complications and worrying symptoms if left untreated.

• Can I prevent varicose veins?

Yes, you can cut down the risk of developing varicose veins by taking some preventive measures like moving every hour, wearing compression stockings, exercising, watching your diet, and elevating your legs.

• What are the non-surgical treatments for varicose veins?

Sclerotherapy, Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) are examples of non-surgical treatments for varicose veins.

• When should you worry about varicose veins?

You should seek medical consultation for varicose veins when you experience persistent pain, swelling, inflammation, and heaviness in your legs that tend to worsen by the end of the day.

• What are the major consequences of untreated varicose veins?

Varicose veins, if not treated early, may lead to venous eczema, darken skin colouration, finally, may lead to venous leg ulcers.