The most dangerous assumption our patients make is that the worst thing about varicose veins is their unsightly nature, and that they are nothing more than a cosmetic nuisance. In most cases, this is true. But saying that aesthetic nuisance is the worst problem this disease can cause is a huge understatement.
If these veins are left unchecked and untreated, you are risking numerous complications, ranging from itching and aching to straight out bleeding to death. As rare as these later cases are, it only goes to show varicose veins are not to be taken lightly.
In this article the leading vein doctor in Los Angeles explains how something as seemingly innocent as varicose veins can cause a major problem like deep vein thrombosis.
Deep vein thrombosis or DVT is a condition where a blood clot forms in one or several deep veins. It most commonly affects leg veins, but it can occur anywhere in your body. While the condition can cause swelling and pain, it can also manifest no symptoms at all. It can happen as a result of inactivity or certain medical conditions that affect blood clotting. It can be very serious as the clots can break free and travel up the bloodstream and block the blood flow to your lungs.
We’ve already explained how varicose veins appear. The valves inside the veins affected by the vein disease fail, which causes the blood to run back and through the valve. The blood soon starts amassing in one place and strains the surrounding valves and the walls of the adjacent blood vessels. This causes them to become thick and appear on our skin.
But sometimes your body can mistake this amassing of blood due to failed vessel valves for bleeding out due to an injury. To stop the assumed bleeding your body will send out a signal to form a blood clot. But since there’s no actual loss of blood, this clot can prevent normal blood flow instead.
If the clot affects a superficial vein, symptoms like skin and fat inflammation can appear. Doctors refer to this condition as superficial thrombophlebitis. Those suffering from this condition may experience red lumps and swollen limbs. Another, far more dangerous scenario is the clot forming in a deep vein, in which case the clot can break free and travel to the lungs. This can lead to a dangerous condition known as pulmonary embolism, which could prove fatal.
Prevention is the best way to fight Deep Vein Thrombosis. This means adopting a healthier lifestyle with more exercise. If you are experiencing symptoms of varicose veins the risk is increased and your best course of action is to seek varicose vein treatment immediately. For example, the risk of DVT increases if a patient with varicose veins takes a long haul flight. There are many painless ways of treating varicose veins which can also prevent a much more serious issue like DVT.
Sclerotherapy and Endovenous Laser Therapy are by far the most popular varicose vein treatments. We offer other treatments as well, like Microphlebectomy or VenaSeal closure, the latest trend in varicose vein removal. The best way to learn more about them is to browse through our website and our blog or contact us to book an appointment to get a professional advice on which one works best in your case.
