Varicose veins can be unattractive and even uncomfortable for some sufferers. However, many people with varicose veins don’t seek treatment because they don’t know if eliminating varicose veins would be worth the time and discomfort of a medical procedure. For those that have put off vein treatment because they were unsure of the value of a procedure, the specialists at the Vein Center of Florida & South Baldwin have a few basic facts to keep in mind.
Varicose Veins can be More than Cosmetic
You may think those bulging, twisting veins are just a cosmetic problem. However, varicose veins can also be a visible sign of an underlying condition known as venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency can develop when veins in the lower legs stop working properly, allowing blood to pool inside the vessels. The pooling can lead to swelling and weakening of the vessel, as well as the eventual varicosity you can see on the skin’s surface.
Varicose Veins can get Worse if Left Untreated
If your varicose veins are caused by venous insufficiency, they can continue to worsen if they are left untreated. You might develop physical symptoms like pain, swelling and cramping of the legs when you try to rest in the evening. Those symptoms can become more and more uncomfortable over time. In addition, you might start to see discoloration and other changes to the skin that may become permanent if the underlying condition is not treated in a reasonable period of time.
Varicose Veins can Significantly Impact Your Life
When varicose veins become very prominent on the lower legs, they can affect your self-confidence in wearing different types of clothing. You may avoid activities at the pool and beach because you are uncomfortable wearing a bathing suit with those veins making an appearance. At the same time, physical symptoms can become severe enough to limit your activities, creating a significant impact on your life.
Vein Treatment is Fast and Nearly Painless
Gone are the days of long, painful surgical procedures to eradicate varicose veins. Today’s treatments are performed on an outpatient basis right in your physician’s office. Procedures are done using local anesthesia or no anesthesia at all in some cases. Treatments are typically completed in less than an hour, with some procedures taking just a few short minutes to finish. Discomfort associated with these procedures is nearly non-existent in most cases.
No Recovery Time after Most Vein Treatments
After vein treatment, patients can often return to their regular activities right away. In some cases, patients may wait until the next day to resume their schedule but it is very rare to have to take off any more time than that. There is little or no discomfort after vein treatment, although some procedures require patients to wear compression stockings for a number of days to promote healing and healthy blood flow. These socks can usually be easily hidden underneath pants or long skirts, so no one knows you just had a vein treatment.
Today, there is no reason to suffer the cosmetic embarrassment or physical pain of varicose veins. Vein treatments are fast, relatively painless and do not create a major disruption in your daily life. To learn more about the treatments available, contact the Vein Center of Florida & South Baldwin today at 800-910-8346.