It is estimated that up to 80 million Americans have some form of venous insufficiency. According to the American Society for Vascular Surgery, varicose veins affect at least 25 million Americans. And yet there are many misconceptions about the causes and consequences of spider veins and varicose veins. Finding reliable information on the Internet about venous disease and laser vein removal Los Angeles can be difficult.
The dangers lie precisely in leaving varicose veins untreated. According to the Society for Vascular Medicine, only 10 percent of Americans who suffer from venous disease seek treatment.
To help you gain a better understanding of varicose and spider veins, we dispel some common myths and misconceptions that surround these conditions.
Though they are unsightly, varicose veins are not just an aesthetic nuisance. They are known to cause discomfort, leg swelling and pain. One of the common symptoms of varicose veins is a feeling of tiredness, tightness and heaviness in the legs, especially after long periods of standing or sitting.
If left unchecked and untreated, varicose veins can result in significant medical complications, such as Deep Vein Thrombosis, skin pigmentation, chronic edema, varicose eczema, and leg ulcers.
It’s true that women are more prone to developing varicose veins than men. Genetics plays a major role in the occurrence of varicose veins and it doesn’t exclusively exist in women. As many as 45 percent of men are expected to develop varicose veins at some point in their life.
Perhaps the most popular myth about varicose veins is that you will get them by crossing your legs too much. Varicose veins are enlarged veins caused by increased blood pressure. Whether you’ll get them depends on several factors and genetics is usually the most important one.
Gender, age, pregnancy, overweight or obesity, and leg trauma also put people at risk of developing varicose veins. Though people at high risk of developing blood clots are advised not to cross their legs, research shows no link between leg-crossing and varicose veins.
So, contrary to popular belief, crossing your legs does not cause varicose veins. However, if you already have varicose veins, sitting for long periods of time, with or without your legs crossed, can exacerbate the existing problem.
You may believe that spider veins and varicose veins are two different names for the same condition. While they are similar in many respects, it’s important to recognize the difference in order to have them effectively treated.
Spider veins are purple, red or blue veins that branch out resembling a spider web. They can appear not only on your legs, but on your face or chest, as well.
Spider veins are much smaller than varicose veins and often just a cosmetic nuisance. On the other hand, varicose veins tend to develop only in the legs and are far more likely to cause discomfort and serious medical conditions.
Regular exercise is good for your overall health and recommended for preventing varicose veins. Different exercises affect varicose veins in different veins, though. If you are at risk of developing varicose veins or already have them, you should carefully choose your exercise routine. The key is not to overexert yourself by engaging in activities that put too much strain on your legs.
The good news is that varicose vein removal no longer involves painful surgery and slow recovery. Modern vascular vein removal techniques do not require hospital admission or general anesthetic.
If you are considering laser vein removal in Los Angeles, know that Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) is a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure to get rid of varicose veins. There are also other advanced vein treatments, such as Sclerotherapy or Microphlebectomy. Each treatment is unique and a vein specialist will recommend the one that’s best for your condition.
If you are looking for laser vein removal Los Angeles residents rely on, contact the Beverly Hills Vein Institute to make an appointment. Our expert staff led by Dr. Ivan Brooks will guide you through both the pros and cons of each treatment and offer the optimal solution for your varicose vein problem.
