Varicose veins are a common vascular condition known for causing bluish-purple, twisted veins. Because these veins can create visible bulges on your legs, they’re often seen as a cosmetic concern. However, varicose veins aren’t limited to just being a cosmetic problem, they can also cause discomfort, swelling, and pain.
At the Cardiovascular Institute of America, Muthu Velusamy, MD, FACC, ABVM specializes in cardiovascular diseases, and he and his team diagnose and treat varicose veins regularly. If you’re concerned about varicose veins, here’s what you can do.
You typically find these enlarged, twisted, and swollen veins in the legs. They develop when the one-way valves in your veins become weakened or damaged. When the valves stop functioning properly, blood doesn’t flow efficiently; it pools in your veins and causes them to bulge and become visible through the skin.
Varicose veins may be a sign of a larger issue called chronic venous insufficiency. You might also notice leg cramps, swelling, and a feeling of heaviness. Severe varicose veins can also increase your risk of developing a blood clot.
While varicose veins are most commonly associated with the legs, other conditions like pelvic congestion syndrome, hemorrhoids, and varicoceles involve similar vein-related issues in different parts of the body.
Similar to varicose veins in the legs, pelvic congestion syndrome results from blood pooling in the veins in your pelvic area due to weakened or damaged veins. It’s more common in women, but men can develop it, too.
Both varicose veins and hemorrhoids (also referred to as piles) appear as bulging veins. Hemorrhoids form in your rectal and anal area and can cause discomfort, pain, and bleeding during bowel movements. Severe hemorrhoids can even cause pain while sitting normally.
Lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments such as drinking more water and eating more fiber-rich foods, and over-the-counter treatments can often alleviate hemorrhoid symptoms. More severe cases can benefit from medical interventions such as hemorrhoid artery embolization.
Varicoceles are enlarged veins within the scrotum. They can lead to fertility issues and discomfort. Treatment options include embolization to block off the affected veins. This can improve fertility and relieve discomfort.
Several factors contribute to the development of varicose veins, including:
Despite these risk factors, the reality is that anyone can develop varicose veins.
Once you’ve identified your risk factors, you can get a clearer picture of which ones are controllable and which ones aren’t. While you can’t avoid varicose veins with certainty, you can reduce your risk by adopting these self-care strategies:
Even with the best prevention strategies in place, you may still develop varicose veins. These prevention strategies can still be an important part of your management plan, however, and they may help prevent your varicose veins from worsening.
If you're concerned about varicose veins or you’re experiencing symptoms like pain, swelling, or discomfort, there are several treatment options available:
Wearing compression stockings can help improve blood flow in your legs and reduce the symptoms of varicose veins. They come in different strengths, and your Cardiovascular Institute of America provider can recommend the right one for you.
For more severe cases, medical procedures like endovenous laser treatment, radiofrequency ablation, or sclerotherapy can close off the affected veins. Blood then routes into healthier veins as the bulging vein slowly fades away.
Varicose veins are a common condition, but just because they’re common, it doesn’t mean you’re stuck with them. Most insurances cover the underlying causes and treatment of varicose veins, specifically venous insufficiency. Call our team in Citrus Park, Tampa, Florida and Lutz, Florida to get started. You can also click here to book an appointment.
