What You Should Know About Varicose Veins
When most people think about varicose veins, they assume that they only happen to older people and are merely an aesthetic problem that make the legs look older or less attractive than they once were. However, there's much more to varicose veins. You should get to know more about the important varicose vein facts and treatment options so that you can better understand and handle this health condition if it happens to you.
Varicose Veins Can Happen At Any Age And Affect Both Genders
There is no age limit in terms of varicose veins. Young people, middle aged adults, and the elderly alike can all suffer from varicose veins. There are many factors that go into the development of varicose veins including your genetics, your cardiovascular health, your activity levels and weight, and the like.
Another common misconception is that varicose veins only affect women and girls. However, this is also not the case. While women tend to suffer from varicose veins more often than men, both can be affected. Your gender does not preclude you from suffering from this health condition.
Varicose Veins Are Not Just An Aesthetic Issue
While many varicose veins are visible on a person's legs, some are not. This in and of itself means that varicose veins are not just about aesthetics or appearances. Varicose veins occur when blood begins pooling and collecting in those veins and cannot be pumped to the rest of the body because of weakened veins and valves. This can cause discomfort.
Varicose veins can be painful and uncomfortable as they cause inflammation and swelling in the legs. They can also cause circulation issues, restricting blood flow to and from the legs and reducing the amount of blood circulating throughout the rest of the body. Varicose veins also increase a person's risk of developing a serious blood clot known as deep vein thrombosis that could be life-threatening.
Varicose Veins Can Be Treated In Several Ways
Varicose veins are a condition that have numerous treatment options. The simple act of making healthy lifestyle changes, like losing weight and wearing compression stockings, can make a big difference. Weight loss when you are overweight can help to prevent the development of new varicose veins, and compression stockings can keep these veins from worsening and reduce your discomfort while also increasing circulation.
These conditions can also be treated through various surgical procedures. Cutting out the affected veins or using laser treatments or chemical solutions to close off the affected veins are all options to get rid of existing varicose veins that are causing problems.
Now that you know more about varicose veins, you can better handle the situation if it begins to have an effect on your life.
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