If your body could talk, what tale would it tell? Famous people throughout history have demonstrated astonishing physical symptoms and characteristics such as the story inside the body of Henry VIII. The famous English monarch lived what was obviously a healthy, active lifestyle for many years, but extreme lifestyle changes in later years indicated physical distress that could have been caused or aggravated by circulatory problems. At Vein Specialists of the South, we could probably have treated the underlying pathologies and extended and improved the king’s life.
Possible Causes Of King Henry VIII’s Physical Disorders And Ballooning Weight
Henry VIII probably suffered from diabetes, circulatory problems and infected bleeding leg ulcers. Vein disorders like spider veins, varicose veins, venous ulcers and leg swelling generate dozens of physical symptoms. These include various degrees of pain, restless leg syndrome, burning, bleeding, itching, fatigue and unsightly appearances due to swelling and discoloration. Some historians ascribe Henry VIII’s descent into madness near the end of his life as a result of his leg ulcer while others blame a possible syphilis infection. Fortunately, any of the contributory conditions today — which include diabetes, venous ulcers, varicose veins, skin complications and spider and varicose veins — can be treated, often with minimally invasive procedures. These modern therapies include ultrasound mapping, Venefit Targeted Endovenous Therapy, Sclerotherapy for Bulging Varicose Veins, Ambulatory Phlebectomy and newer technologies like VenaSeal and Varithena. You recover quickly with little or no pain, downtime or scarring.
Henry VIII’s Leg Ulcers
Henry VIII suffered greatly from leg ulcers. Even today many people continue to suffer from venous leg ulcers because they fail to seek treatment. Venous ulcers occur because of inflammation and poor nutrition of the skin resulting from damaged valves in the leg veins causing pooling of venous blood in the legs. These ulcers often begin as minor wounds. Contributing factors include blood clots, obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking and too little or too much standing and physical activity. When you reach the stage where circulatory problems cause ulceration, you’re probably experiencing severe pain and swelling. Treating the underlying vein disease, using compression therapy and good skin care promotes healing and helps prevent recurrences. The right therapy can heal the ulcer and restore better leg circulation so that recurrences occur less than 20 percent within one year.
How Much Did Henry VIII Weigh?
King Henry’s weight and medical disorders were among the best documented of any historic figure who lived during the High Renaissance. As a young man in his 20s, Henry was over 6-feet tall, weighed 15 stone or 210 pounds and had a 32-inch waist. However, by the end of his life, he weighed 28 stone or 392 pounds and had a 52-inch waist.
Treating Your Venous Disorders
Vein Specialists of the South specializes in treating venous diseases that Henry VIII could have benefited from. Fortunately, you live in a time with advanced medical options for relieving the stress, pain and symptoms of bad circulation and leg ulcers.
Our founder, Dr. Kenneth Harper, is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is recognized as a Diplomat of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, the Medical Association of Georgia, American College of Phlebology, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and others. Contact us today for a consultation or further information about vein problems like spider or varicose veins, vein ulcers, leg swelling and circulatory issues.
