If you have varicose veins, be careful. While many individuals decide to treat varicose veins purely for cosmetic benefit, there may be more than meets the eye.

Varicose veins can point to more serious underlying medical issues. So if you have varicose veins, it’s important to have them checked out by a doctor.

Venous Insufficiency and All the Problems It Can Cause

Ultimately, varicose veins are the result of a condition known as venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency is simply when your veins are unable to effectively send blood back to the heart — leading blood to pool in your lower extremities.

Therefore, if you’re leaving varicose veins untreated, you’re opening yourself to all the problems caused by poor circulation.

On the lower end of the scale, patients with varicose veins are more susceptible to excessive bleeding, due to the vulnerability of veins pressed up against the skin.

Venous ulcers, meanwhile, caused by poor circulation where blood flow and nutrients aren’t able to easily reach wounds, are a common symptom of venous insufficiency.

Meanwhile, patients may suffer from more chronic pains in the feet, and possibly a burning and achy feeling.

Worst of all, patients with venous insufficiency may suffer from blood clots, which can be extremely dangerous.

What Can I Do?

All forms of poor circulation can be aided in simple steps that any individual can do at home today.

These include making an effort to exercise to improve circulation, making sure not to stay in a single position for too long, sitting or standing, making use of compression garments to improve circulation, or elevating the feet.

In more severe cases, patients can see a specialist who can perform a specialized procedure to get rid of varicose veins, such as sclerotherapy.

If you want to know more, call the Vein Center of Maryland to schedule an appointment. We are conveniently located in Westminster, Eldersburg, Baltimore, Hunt Valley and Bel Air.

We also service Ellicott City and Columbia in Howard County.