“Healthy Veins” 

SouthCrest surgeon speaks out about varicose veins

Achy… breaky… legs? If you have varicose veins, that may be exactly what you are thinking and feeling. Approximately 25 million people in the United States suffer from varicose veins. They can appear as early as the late teen years. “Varicose veins are a common condition in the United States, affecting up to 15 percent of men, and up to 25 percent of women,” says John A. Carabello, D.O., board-certified cardio-thoracic and vascular surgeon with a special interest in varicose veins.  

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are blood vessels just beneath the skin that have widened and twisted due to a defect in the valves within the veins themselves. Blood pools in sections of the vein, causing the vein to bulge and swell. They commonly appear on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. However, they can form anywhere on your legs, from your groin to your ankle. They can be flesh colored but are often blue or purple. They can also have the appearance of twisted, bulging cords. “For some people, this is simply a cosmetic issue. For others, it can cause great discomfort and inhibit the quality of a person’s life,” says Dr. Carabello.  

What causes varicose veins?

Because varicose veins are a vascular issue, it is important to know what causes them and their affects to better prevent complications.  

• Standing for long periods of time
• Genetics
• Damage to the valves, which can cause the blood to pool
• Weak valves, which causes bulging and damage to the valves
• Pregnancy
• Being overweight which increases the pressure in your veins 

Signs and symptoms:

• A heavy or aching feeling in your legs along with burning and throbbing
• Muscle cramping and swelling of the lower legs
• Itching around the veins
• Skin ulcers near the ankles (this represents a severe vascular condition and requires immediate attention) 

At this point, especially if you have already developed varicose veins, you may be thinking hope is moot point. Well, of course there is hope and there is help also.  You can start by taking some preventative measures such as wearing support hose, elevating your legs, getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight.  Help comes along with Dr. Carabello and the treatment options he has available.