How do you know when varicose veins have become life threatening? What should you do?
Varicose veins are not only unsightly, but they can lead to other, more serious, and even dangerous, health problems. Painful, throbbing tired legs may be indicating much more than just fatigue.
Varicose veins bulge when blood starts to pool in veins, usually in the larger veins of the legs. This pooling creates swollen and protruding veins that, left untreated, can cause pain and discomfort or even open ulcers or sores. But how can you tell if the unsightly veins on your legs are a serious or dangerous condition?
People experiencing pain, heaviness, and fatigue in legs could be experiencing a condition called superficial vein thrombosis, or SVT. This is an inflammatory condition of the veins, due to a blood clot just under the skin. If your bulging veins are warm, inflamed, darkened or harder than usual, please, see a physician. These SVT conditions can lead to a more serious condition called DVT.
One in four patients with SVT also has DVT, deep vein thrombosis. DVT is very dangerous and quite painful. Symptoms of DVT include pain and swelling in one or both legs. It can feel like cramping in your calf. It is caused from blood clots that form in the swollen veins, deep under the surface of the skin. These clots can dislodge and travel into the body and then the lungs, this could be very dangerous, and even fatal. These conditions are serious and if you are experiencing any of the symptoms we have mentioned, it’s best to see a specialist.
If you have varicose veins, spider veins or have questions about the conditions listed, please, call Dr. Jensen today and schedule your consultation. Don’t let these veins ruin your looks or your life. You can get those veins treated, there is help! Your quest for beautiful legs may come with an added bonus, you may even dodge some possibly dangerous health risks.