Vein Disease: the Overview

The normal function of healthy veins is to regulate blood circulation and direct blood to the heart, but what happens when something goes amiss? What causes the veins to stop functioning and what are the early signs that you should look out for? Are you at risk of Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Do you need to worry that your job will increase your odds of developing varicose veins? Will what you eat have any effect? Can what you wear make your veins look worse? Can you exercise varicose veins away? Well before you embark on a search for the best varicose vein treatment near me, here’s a complete and comprehensive overview of vein disease.

What are the stages of vein disease?

Vein disease affects 30 million Americans according to some estimates. What’s strange is that only about 2 million actually seek treatment, although the screening process is quick and simple and the latest forms of treatment are minimally invasive.

Vein disease can have five stages:

• Spider veins or reticular veins,
• Varicose veins,
• Swollen legs and ankles,
• Skin discoloration,
• Ulcers and open sores.

What are the first signs of varicose veins?

Vein disorders can but may not be visible. At first, the veins appear small and form a spider web-like pattern. This stage is rarely followed by discomfort which may cause the patient to ignore them. However, it is at this stage that patients should see a doctor.

Varicose veins in general come with a series of symptoms which are a cause for alarm in and of themselves:

• Pain
• Aching
• Throbbing
• Swelling
• Itching
• Cramping
• Heaviness

Complications include eczema, inflammation or even ulcers. Advanced vein disease may include even more severe complications such as damaged and darkened skin, open skin ulcers, phlebitis and blood clots.

What are the key risk factors for varicose veins?

The quality of your lifestyle and your diet, your line of work, how physically active you are, even what you wear: these are factors which may contribute to varicose veins or aggravate your condition. But risk factors are often beyond your control. Here are the key risk factors to be mindful of:

• Hereditary factors: having just one parent with varicose veins means you are 33% more likely to suffer from the same condition yourself. If both your parents suffer from varicose veins, you are a whopping 90% more at risk.
• Hormonal factors: women have high levels of progesterone, which is a hormone that is known to raise the risk of developing varicose veins. The risk rises even more during pregnancy or oral contraceptive consumption. It’s no wonder that as much as 75% of patients with varicose veins are women.
• Personal or family history of vein thrombosis.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Advanced age.
• Vein injury.
• Other conditions that cause increased pressure in the abdomen.

Here for you when you need us the most

Quality varicose vein treatment near me without a long recovery period? We’ve got your back. No longer will you need to look for devious ways to cover up and not feel embarrassed by your varicose veins. Welcome to Beverly Hills Vein Institute where we give patients the opportunity to undergo customized procedures for optimal results. Using advanced knowledge and technology, Dr Ivan Brooks will guide you on the road to recovery. Reach out to us today so you can grace the streets of Downtown San Diego with joy and confidence come summertime.