INDUSTRY INSIGHT
YOUR HEALTH
SPONSORED CONTENT
What if I Don’t
Receive Treatment for
My Varicose Veins?
I
t is estimated that 30% of American adults are affected by varicose
veins. Heredity is the number-one contributing factor for both
genders, but because puberty, pregnancy, menopause, birth control
pills, estrogen, and progesterone can affect the disease, women are
inherently more likely to develop it at a rate of nearly 50 percent.
Potential complications from untreated varicose veins do exist
and their severity will vary from mild irritation to serious, depending
on individual circumstances. Many people will experience the more
common symptoms of pain, fatigue, swelling of the legs and even
restless leg syndrome. With more advanced disease, superficial
thrombophlebitis (severe swelling), hyperpigmentation (darkening
of the skin), lipodermosclerosis (hardened, glistening skin), venous
leg ulcers, spontaneous bleeding, and a potentially life-threatening
condition called deep vein thrombosis can occur.
Because varicose veins can alter the normal blood flow
pattern, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the most serious potential
complication. DVT is often first noticed as a pulling or pressuretype sensation in the lower leg and can be quite painful. Associated
symptoms may include warmth, redness and swelling. Patients with
the following conditions are at a greater risk f