When are Varicose Veins More Than Just a Cosmetic Concern?

Have you noticed changes in the appearance of the veins on your legs? You may have varicose veins, a common vascular disorder that prompts many people to visit our expert team at Laser Surgical Solutions RGV PLLC in McAllen, Rio Grande City, and Raymondville, Texas. 

Read on as John Hovorka, MD, and Cynthia Salinas, MD, explain how varicose veins form, and when they may be more than just a cosmetic concern. 

How do varicose veins develop?

Each time your heart beats, it pumps oxygenated blood into your arteries. That blood travels throughout your body to nourish tissues from head to toe. Then, your veins work to move the deoxygenated blood back to your heart so the process can begin anew. 

Veins work against gravity, moving blood from your extremities back to your heart. This process relies on a series of tiny valves within each vein. As your muscles contract, they push blood up through your veins. The valves open to let blood through, then close to ensure blood doesn’t flow backward. 

Varicose veins develop when something goes wrong with the valves in the veins of your legs, ankles, or feet. Blood backs up in those veins, causing them to bulge, swell, twist, and darken. This is why you can see varicose veins through your skin. 

Are varicose veins dangerous?

In most cases, varicose veins aren’t dangerous — they’re primarily a cosmetic concern. The vein still works, and your body is also able to route blood through other vessels to meet your circulation needs. But varicose veins do increase your risk of blood clotting disorders, which can be serious.

Blood clots can form in the veins closest to the surface of your skin, a condition called superficial thrombophlebitis. This is usually not a cause for concern and can be effectively treated. 

But if clotting develops in the veins located deeper within your body, it’s called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This clot could break free and travel toward your heart and lungs. If a DVT gets stuck in your lungs, it can cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism, which requires immediate emergency treatment. 

When do varicose veins require care?

Varicose veins won’t go away without treatment, so if you’re concerned about the appearance of your skin, scheduling a visit with our team is the right course of action. However, if you aren’t troubled by the look of your varicose veins and they aren’t causing any other issues, there’s no need to come in for treatment. 

Here are some of the issues that should prompt you to seek varicose vein treatment:

• Leg cramping, especially after exertion
• Leg pain or heaviness 
• Leg swelling 
• Itching skin near varicose veins
• Discolored skin 
• Open sores on your legs, ankles, or feet

Our team can perform a comprehensive evaluation, including a vascular ultrasound, to assess your vein health and determine which treatment option is best for your varicose veins. 

The following are signs of a pulmonary embolism:

• Shortness of breath; a rapid heartbeat
• Unexplained sharp pain in your chest, neck, shoulders, or back    
• Excessive sweating; pale, bluish, or clammy skin

If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency medical care right away. 

You don’t have to live with varicose veins

If you have varicose veins that are unsightly, uncomfortable, unwanted, or all the above, we can help. To learn more about our minimally invasive varicose vein treatment options, call or click online to schedule a visit at your nearest Laser Surgical Solutions RGV PLLC office in McAllen, Rio Grande City, or Raymondville, Texas, today.