Why Are My Varicose Veins Getting Worse?

 Have you had varicose veins for a number of years? Have you noticed they seem to be getting worse? You may be wondering what you should do. The decision to treat varicose veins isn’t only a cosmetic decision. It depends on whether you’re having troublesome symptoms. 

Perhaps your legs throb and ache after a long day. You may see swelling in your feet and ankles. You may start to see bulging, rope-like veins wind down your legs. 

Our board-certified radiologists with REDI Diagnostics Corp in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, are vein treatment experts. We provide a number of safe, effective treatments for eliminating troublesome varicose veins. 

Varicose veins often worsen over time. When left untreated, they can lead to skin discoloration and hard-to-heal leg ulcers. Don’t wait until your discomfort becomes a health problem. 

Here’s the skinny on why varicose veins can worsen over time. 

Aging 

As you age, your body begins to feel and show signs of wear. For example, your joints may not work as well as they used to if you’re a senior. Likewise, your circulatory system changes as you age. 

The valves in your veins may become sluggish and stop working correctly, preventing proper blood flow through your body. Your legs start hurting, and your ankles swell. 

Your genes 

Genes make you who you are: everything from hair and eye color to skin color. If others in your family have varicose veins and need to have them treated, your chances of having troublesome varicose veins increase. 

Pregnancy and other hormonal changes 

Your varicose veins may worsen during pregnancy. They may diminish after you give birth, or they can worsen. Significant fluctuations in female reproductive hormones (during pregnancy and menopause) can cause vein walls to weaken, leading to varicose veins. 

Your job 

Does your work require you to stand or sit all day? Long hours of inactivity, either standing or sitting, cause blood to pool in your veins. Over time, the buildup becomes worse. 

Lifestyle choices 

Excess sodium in your diet, smoking, and excessive alcohol use are all lifestyle choices that can worsen varicose veins. Smoking constricts blood vessels, weakening your veins. Too much alcohol dilates blood vessels, weakening your vein walls. 

You don’t have to live with varicose veins. Your radiologist with REDI Diagnostics Corp reviews the size and location of your veins, your symptoms, your preferences, and your medical history, and explains which vein treatments are right for you. 

Call REDI Diagnostics Corp or book an appointment online today for effective treatment for your varicose veins.