5 Signs Your Varicose Veins Might Require Surgery
Varicose veins are twisted, stretched, or damaged veins that have become swollen or enlarged. These veins can be the source of dull or nagging pain and cause a great deal of discomfort. Varicose veins are caused when the valves that help keep blood moving to your heart become damaged or weak causing the blood to back up and collect in your veins. Several factors that can elevate your chances for acquiring varicose veins. Some of these include heredity, age, gender, obesity, pregnancy, lack of mobility, and injury. If your varicose veins become more problematic than cosmetic, you may require surgery.
How to Know if Your Varicose Veins Require Surgery
Some varicose veins may become a serious health concern and need surgery. The signs that show surgical removal is necessary are:
- The varicose veins have become ulcerated. When varicose veins become ulcerated they stop healing easily. The swollen veins swell, causing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area. The tension on the tissue causes ulcers to form.
- If the veins are bleeding through the skin. When the vein is hit or cut, there can be a lot of bleeding. If it is not cut, then a lot of bruising in the area happens. It can take longer for the bleeding to stop or the bruise to go away.
- The veins and the skin over the veins have become inflamed causing aching.Skin infections happen when the tissues stay stretched. The stretching keeps the body from healing naturally. Bacteria that are present on our skin can get into the vein.
- Your legs become swollen, sore and it becomes difficult to walk. When this happens, it becomes red and feels warm to the touch. If you take off your socks and see an impression your swelling could be caused by your veins.
- The formation of blood clots. With damaged veins, blood is likely to develop blood clots. Theycan form deep in the veins. There is a possibility of the blood becoming life-threatening. Especially when the blood clot breaks off and it travels to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism. If this happens it is necessary to have them surgically taken care of.
Who Treats Varicose Veins
If your varicose veins are more than just a cosmetic surgeon, they might require surgical or non-surgical treatment. There are different options when it comes to the type of doctor you will need to see based on the extent of your veins the problems you are experiencing.
Doctors who treat varicose veins are:
- Vascular surgeons: A vascular surgeon will provide care for the damaged vascular system. This includes the veins, capillaries, and arteries. Damaged veins are not always a cosmetic problem they can have more complications anda vascular surgeon is trained in treating them.
- Phlebologist: A phlebologist is a vein disorder specialist. Phlebologists specializes in the treatment of damaged veins.
- Interventional radiologists: An interventional radiologistis also called a pinhole surgeon. Pinhole surgeons offer minimally invasive treatments by using both visualization and small tubes to deliver localized treatment to the damaged area.
While heavily damaged veins can require surgical removal the less damaged can be treated non-surgically. Surgical removal will take the pressure off the veins in the legs and allow blood to flow more easily. This prevents the existing damaged veins to get worse or new ones to branch off.Doctors who treat varicose veins will be able to determine if they can them veins surgically or non-surgically depending on the severity of your veins.
