Many people view varicose veins as “merely a cosmetic problem.” This can lead to the belief that they can be left untreated without any ill effects. This isn’t true. If you don’t seek treatment for them, they can cause many unpleasant complications. In this article, top Winston-Salem vein doctor, Dr. Ashley Rickey, explains three common complications that can result from untreated vein disease.
- Varicose veins can lead to leg ulcers.
Dr. Rickey often advises patients to seek varicose vein treatment to reduce their risk of developing leg ulcers. These open wounds have an ugly appearance, and can be very painful. They occur because the skin covering varicose veins doesn’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients to heal inflammations that may occur. Treating the varicose veins not only removes the swollen veins, it removes the risk of leg ulcers.
- Untreated varicose veins can result in painful leg swelling.
Varicose veins disrupt normal blood flow, which often causes a complication in which fluid settles in the legs, ankles, and feet, causing them to swell. This can often be quite painful. Vein removal via varicose vein treatment eliminates the diseased veins, and at the same time eliminates the complications that lead to swollen achy legs.
- Varicose veins increase your risk of deep vein thrombosis.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of blood clot that develops in the deep veins of the legs. This condition is strongly associated with varicose veins. The danger of DVT is that pieces of the blood clots can break off, travel through the blood stream, and reach the lungs, where they can cause a pulmonary embolism. This is a potentially fatal condition. Seeking varicose vein treatment can reduce your risk of developing DVT.
Seeking varicose vein treatment in Winston-Salem can help you avoid these complications. Dr. Rickey and her associates at NHVS have the skills and the technology to treat your vein disease and eliminate the cause of these three common complications. Give them a call at 336-245-4890 or go online to schedule an appointment.