If you’re like many people, you might hope your varicose veins will disappear on their own. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality of varicose veins. Without proper care, they can worsen, becoming both a cosmetic and health concern. At LA Vein Center, Dr. Larisse Lee treats varicose veins early using proven vein-vanquishing approaches. This prevents potential complications and significantly improves your quality of life.
To understand what happens if varicose veins aren’t treated, it’s first important to learn how they develop.
How Varicose Veins Happen
Varicose veins start when the vein valves stop working properly. Because the valves don’t close fully after sending blood upward to the heart, some blood refluxes (moves backward, down into the vein). This blood pools and stretches the vein, leading to visible bulging. The vein may also grow distorted, looking knobby or bumpy.
What Happens if You Ignore Varicose Veins
Unfortunately, because varicose veins represent a vein function problem, they aren’t going to get better without treatment. This can take a mental and physical toll on your body.
The appearance of varicose veins bothers many people. They can make you feel self-conscious about wearing shorts or a swimsuit. You might feel embarrassed or ashamed about your appearance, and this can take a real toll on your mental and emotional wellness.
Physical problems common with varicose veins include:
- Heavy-feeling legs
- Leg swelling
- Leg itching
- Restless legs
These symptoms are inconvenient and frustrating, but things can get even worse.
Over time, the constant pressure and circulatory problems caused by varicose veins can lead to ulcers (slow-healing or nonhealing wounds). The skin around the vein may thin, making you more likely to cut and bleed.
Another concern is the formation of blood clots. In the surface veins, blood clots (superficial thrombophlebitis) can cause redness, swelling, and pain around the vein or even in the whole limb (usually a leg). More dangerously, untreated varicose veins can, in rare cases, lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where clots form in deeper veins. These clots can be life-threatening if they travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism.
Varicose Vein Treatment in Los Angeles
At LA Vein Center, we treat varicose veins before they worsen. Options like sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, Varithena®, and microphlebectomy can ease discomfort, erase embarrassment, and help you avoid complications. Call us today at 818-325-0400 or request an appointment online to discuss your treatment options for healthier legs.