Varicose veins are a fairly common vascular disease that cause engorged, distorted veins. The disease affects up to 35% of the population here in the US. While they typically appear in the legs, they can appear elsewhere, as well. Varicose veins occur as a result of damaged veins having trouble circulating blood from the legs to the heart. There are plenty of myths out there about these veins. We are here to debunk some of these infamous myths and give you the real deal about varicose veins.

Myth #1: Varicose veins are harmless, right?

FALSE. Although varicose veins can be simply a cosmetic issue, they can also cause throbbing, aching, and itching and in some cases, major swelling, dermatitis, and thickened skin can occur. Swelling is often a result of people that sit or stand for long periods of time. Very advanced stages can cause open sores but only 10% of patients ever get to that stage of complications.

 

Myth #2: Varicose veins are always visible.

FALSE. Varicose veins aren’t necessarily always swollen, visible lines on your legs. They may simply be too deep to be seen but can still cause invisible symptoms: swelling, achy and tired legs, cramps, itchy rashes, and skin darkening.

 

Myth #3: Crossing your legs causes varicose veins.

FALSE. Varicose veins are a result of heredity, age, and pregnancy (particularly repeated pregnancies). Obesity and weight gain can worsen existing symptoms. They are more prevalent in older females but they can also occur in males and younger people.

 

Myth #4: Spider veins and varicose veins are the same thing.

FALSE. They are two completely separate vascular issues. Spider veins are dilated veins in the surface of the skin that are typically a cosmetic issue. Varicose veins are located in the fat between muscle and skin. That said, the pressure from varicose veins can cause spider veins to occur, specifically in the ankle area.

 

Myth #5: Exercise makes varicose veins worse.

FALSE. There is no proof that exercise exacerbates vascular issues, in fact, it is typically considered helpful to help keep blood moving. Exercise can be especially beneficial in people with problems with deep veins in muscles, called deep venous insufficiency. This can by asymptomatic in some people, but in others may cause swelling, skin changes, or sores. People that suffer from deep venous insufficiency often find that walking or activities that use calf muscles really help because contractions force blood back up to the center of the body.

As you can see, varicose veins are no joke. It is crucial to have any potentially problematic veins and/or pain checked out by a certified professional to ensure that you don’t have any issues with circulation. We can absolutely help treat your varicose veins, both cosmetically and medically. Our advanced laser technology can treat your symptoms and get you back on your feet in no time.