Should I Worry about My Visible Veins?

Worrying is never in your best interests when it comes to your health, even if it is your first response.

Worrying only makes medical issues worse by adding stress into the equation. And stress just makes your body work harder, not to mention the mental and emotional toll it takes.

Why Visible Veins Develop

Varicose veins and smaller spider veins often appear after specific blood vessels become twisted and engorged. Usually affecting veins close to the surface of your skin, these vessels become visible when the condition reaches a certain state. They may be a simple cosmetic problem or they may indicate a serious medical condition.

Some Causes of Visible Veins

Varicose veins and spider veins have many causes, and they’re not universal, meaning the cause of your bulging veins may not be the same as another person’s. Some of the more common causes of varicose veins and translucent skin include:

• Genetics. If your parents had varicose veins or translucent skin, the odds increase that you develop the condition as well. If you know you have a family history of the condition, let your doctor or vein specialist know.
• Aging. After years of fighting gravity, the wear and tear often weakens your veins, which can lead to visible veins in your arms, hands, legs and feet. Since skin thins with age, it becomes more translucent. This condition often leads to veins being more visible.
• Gender. Women are more prone to developing varicose veins than men. They’re more prominent in women as hormones change, such as during menopause.
• Weight. Pregnant women are more apt to develop varicose veins, but they tend to disappear within three to 12 months after the delivery. Obesity in both men and women places excess stress on veins, weakening them enough to cause bulging.

Stop Worrying, Get Tested

While the purple or blue veins are unsightly, bulging veins can lead to serious health complications, such as:

• Venous stasis ulcers
• Internal bleeding
• Blood clots
• Venous insufficiency

Even if your visible veins aren’t dangerous, it’s best to get them checked out by a trained and experienced vein specialist, such as Dr. Dmitry Gorelik at the Varicose Vein Center of New Jersey. If your doctor can catch them when they first appear, he may simply recommend that you make a few lifestyle adjustments to prevent your condition from worsening.

Know What to Expect from Visible Veins

While you may experience visible veins in your hands and feet, in your arms or in your face, the most common areas they appear are in your legs. Left untreated, bulging veins can lead to a great deal of discomfort with symptoms that include:

• Heaviness and aching in your legs
• Swelling and cramping in your lower legs
• Throbbing and burning sensations
• Itching around the affected veins
• Pain that worsens after standing or sitting
• Discolored skin surrounding your spider and varicose veins

Treatment Is Available in New Jersey

Whether you’re experiencing pain from your visible veins or not, treatment options abound. Dr. Dmitry Gorelik, your New Jersey vein doctor, may suggest at-home care to relieve your discomfort. Sometimes, the simplest things are the most effective for reversing the damage. You may be advised to try:

• Elevating your legs when possible
• Wearing compression stockings
• Losing weight
• Exercising more
• Avoiding having to stand or sit for long periods of time

When your visible veins cause embarrassment or your doctor is concerned about complications,

you may need more aggressive treatment options. Dr. Gorelik offers a range of procedures, including:

• Endovenous laser ablation
• Endovenous radiofrequency ablation
• Sclerotherapy for spider veins or varicose veins
• Laser therapy for spider veins
• Ambulatory phlebotomy

Don’t wait to seek treatment, especially if you have a family history of the condition or are feeling any pain. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Dmitry Gorelik at the Varicose Vein Center of New Jersey to put your mind at ease. Get rid of your visible veins today!