Why You Should Not Delay Vein Care
Here are a few important reasons to seek a vein evaluation at Vein Specialists of the South in Macon, Locust Grove, or Warner Robins, GA:
1. Venous disease can lead to serious consequences if left untreated, including pain, ulcers, blood clots, and bleeding.
Even if you don’t have visible varicose veins, there are many signs of “hidden” vein disease, including heavy, aching legs, leg swelling, night cramps, and restless legs. With these symptoms, you may be at risk for blood clots as well. Pain is one of the most common symptoms of venous disease, so if you have unexplained leg pain or discomfort, get evaluated.
Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU) are also a serious complication of untreated venous disease. In most cases, this can be prevented or healed with conservative care and treatment of your underlying vein disease. Over a billion healthcare dollars a year are spent on treating VLU. Much of these resources could have been prevented with early care of vein disease before an ulcer develops.
If you already have a painful VLU and are missing out on life, it is not too late to treat it and get back to living comfortably and healthily.
Many patients and physicians don’t understand that ‘hidden vein disease’, visible bulging varicose veins, spider veins, and leg swelling are serious chronic medical conditions. Left untreated vein disease only gets worse. Recently published studies prove that blood clots in the superficial and deep vein blood clots in the legs are a serious complication of untreated venous disease. These same studies also suggest that the risk of pulmonary embolism (one of these clots in your legs traveling to your lungs) is increased if your vein disease is not treated. It’s important to receive evaluation and treatment for venous disease to also treat and prevent blood clots.
A bleeding varicose or spider vein is a common complication of untreated vein disease. If the varicose vein leaks under the skin it can lead to a ‘bruise’, skin inflammation, discomfort and staining of the skin, or stasis eczema.
In other cases, a large, bulging varicose vein or spider vein can rupture through the skin resulting in severe bleeding. This can require a visit to the emergency room. Bleeding often occurs after a warm bath or shower, nicking the vein when you shave your leg, or minor trauma to the veins. If your spider or varicose vein bleeds, don’t panic! Lay down immediately, elevate your leg above the level of your heart, apply pressure and call for help.
All of the above can be prevented through a vein evaluation and treatment by a vein specialist.
2. Your vein health is important for your overall health and well-being.
Patients living with venous disease report lower quality of life, and this has been backed up by studies that show individuals living with varicose veins and other venous diseases are more likely to suffer from depression.
Additionally, venous disease has been linked to other health problems, often due to a sedentary lifestyle caused by leg pain, heaviness, and fatigue. This also leads to worsened venous disease.
3. Early detection and treatment of vein disease can save you time, money, and energy in the long run.
Venous disease is a chronic condition that progresses over time. If you catch it early, the progression can be slowed with conservative care and less invasive vein care procedures. This will save you the time and hassle of treating more severe varicose veins.
Finally, getting treatment for vein disease can help you feel better and have more energy. When your veins are working properly, they don’t put any extra strain on your body. So by treating your vein disease, you can feel more energetic and less fatigued.
Saving money while taking care of yourself in this economy sounds like a smart idea, don’t you think?
