Curing Varicose Veins Not Just About Cosmetics

As a girl growing up in Utah, Mary used to enjoy wearing her bathing suit at the lakes and water parks during the hot summer. As she got older, however, the appearance of varicose veins on her legs made Mary retreat into wearing pants despite the heat. Mary knew the varicose veins made her feel less attractive and confident.

When she did go swimming, she ran directly from the dressing room to the water to make sure as few people as possible saw the unsightly blemishes. Years later, she stopped going to water parks and lakes altogether. Little did she know, the varicose veins she was hiding also posed a risk to her long-term health.

Every year, thousands of Utah women simply hide their varicose veins, ignorant of the dangers they pose. Most think the harm being dome is mostly cosmetic, affecting their ability to feel good in a swimsuit. The damage from varicose veins, however, can be irritating, painful, and expensive to cure if not taken care of early on.

Varicose veins occur when the veins, usually on the legs, become dilated or elongated beyond their natural size. A variety of ailments can happen as a result of varicose veins. Following are the three most common ailments that can be caused by varicose veins:

1. Valve damage -- Within the veins , millions of tiny valves operate to keep blood flowing in the right direction. When these valves are damaged, blood circulation around the damaged valve is also hindered.

Because varicose veins enlarge and change the shape of the blood vessel wall, they damage the valves and hurt blood flow to that part of the body.

2. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) -- An advanced form of valve damage, DVT involves permanent damage to the valves in a varicose vein. As a result of the severely damaged valves, blood begins to collect and cause further complications.

Over extended periods of time, body parts that have been deprived of healthy, free-flowing blood can begin to exhibit irritation.

3. Ulcers -- One of the worst parts of varicose veins, aside from the cosmetic effects, is the constant itching it can bring on. Often, the itching can become so constant and intense that varicose vein-sufferers develop ulcers on their legs or other affected areas. These can become infected and painful over time.

If treated early, varicose veins can treated with non-invasive procedures. If treatment is delayed, more invasive surgeries can be painful and expensive. Curing varicose veins is about more than just looking good in the summer; it is about keeping your body healthy.