Do you have large, discolored, or bulging veins negatively affecting your confidence? Do you feel painful burning sensations or uncomfortable itchiness? If so, varicose veins treatment may be right for you. Today, our experts at Worcester Dermatology in Worcester, MA are taking a closer look at the treatment of varicose veins, including how long the results last. Here’s what you need to know.
Varicose Veins Treatment: Is Treatment Permanent?
Yes, varicose veins treatment is considered permanent if your varicose veins are destroyed during treatment. However, you should know that while the treated veins may be destroyed permanently, other veins have the potential to become disordered.
What Can I Do To Reduce My Risk of Future Varicose Veins?
Maintain a Healthy Weight
There are many risk factors that affect the likelihood of your veins becoming varicose. One of the most significant risk factors that you have control over is obesity. If you suffer from this disease, you may have such symptoms as inflammation and hypertension, a condition that weakens your blood vessels. People who suffer from obesity also commonly struggle with poor circulation.
If you suffer from obesity, you should talk to your primary care physician about how you can get down to a healthy weight safely. It is generally considered safe to lose a pound or two of fat per week, but there are exceptions to this general rule of thumb. Keep in mind that even if you don’t reach a healthy weight, it is better for your veins if you are overweight rather than obese.
Stay Active
It is also extremely important that you stay active if you want to mitigate your risk of developing varicose veins in the future. A sedentary lifestyle is another very significant risk factor for the development of this condition. If you fall into the normal range on the BMI scale, you can benefit greatly from getting 30 minutes of moderate cardio five days per week. If you have a high BMI, you should get roughly five hours of moderate cardio weekly.
Having a sedentary job is another risk factor for the development of this condition. If you sit or stand for long periods of time at work, you should try to be more active during the day. If you work in an office, walk across the building to ask a question instead of sending an email. When you get home, if you do not feel like exercising, get up every 30 to 60 minutes and do some light calisthenics.
Don’t Smoke
Another effective step you can take to keep your veins healthy and strong is to avoid consuming tobacco products. Anything containing nicotine, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and chewing tobacco, has the potential to weaken your veins significantly, greatly damaging them over time. If you can’t quit smoking, cut back as much as you can and talk to your doctor about resources that may help you quit for good.
What Complications May Occur If I Don’t Have My Condition Treated?
If you don’t seek varicose veins treatment in a timely manner, there are many complications that may arise. For example, if you don’t seek timely treatment for your condition, you could develop very painful ulcers. This complication most commonly arises when the varicose veins are in the ankles. If you suspect you have developed an ulcer, you should seek a diagnosis as soon as possible. Signs of ulcers include:
- Swelling
- Achiness
- Skin discoloration
- Skin hardening
Another potential complication of untreated varicose veins is blood clots. If you develop a blood clot in one of the deep veins of your legs, you may experience such symptoms as chronic pain and swelling. There is also a chance that the blood clot will break off and travel through your bloodstream. A pulmonary embolism can result from this. If you have superficial varicose veins, they may burst, resulting in bleeding.
How Can This Condition Be Treated?
There are many effective varicose vein treatment methods. The optimal treatment method for your unique case depends on a multitude of factors, including the severity of your varicose veins, the location of your varicose veins, and the cause of your varicose veins. If you have developed varicose veins in your lower legs due to pregnancy, you may be treated with prescription-strength compression stockings.
If your varicose veins are caused by something else, like your age, the ideal treatment for you may involve destroying the damaged veins so blood can flow through stronger, healthier veins in the area. To determine which treatment method is right for you, a consultation is required. During this consultation, we will discuss your concerns, health history, current health, goals, lifestyle, and personal preferences.
Get Rid of Your Varicose Veins
Varicose veins treatment permanently destroys your varicose veins. However, there is a chance that you will need further treatment in the future to address other veins that become disordered in the future. To reduce the likelihood of needing a follow-up treatment, maintain a healthy weight, stay active, and don’t smoke. To learn more about varicose veins and how they can be treated, book an appointment at Worcester Dermatology in Worcester, MA now.