Venous insufficiency is a common circulatory system condition that many people develop, especially as they get older. The most noticeable signs are varicose veins or spider veins.
There are a lot of misconceptions about venous insufficiency, and these misconceptions lead to far fewer people taking the issue seriously and preventing them from seeking treatment.
Let’s take a look at the most common myths about venous insufficiency.
Venous insufficiency can indeed be hereditary. If your parents and grandparents had the condition, there is a much greater chance that you will develop it at some point in your life.
Even if you don’t see warning signs right now, talk to your doctor about your family medical history so you and your doctor can keep an eye out for early signs of it developing. As with many conditions, early detection and treatment can save you from significant unwanted symptoms later.
Many people incorrectly think that venous insufficiency only affects the top layers of the skin. They may also assume that treatments for venous insufficiency only treat the visible effects of the condition so the legs can look better. This makes people think that it’s a cosmetic condition.
Venous insufficiency, however, goes much deeper than the skin – and the symptoms do not stop at making the legs look unappealing. This is a condition that can cause many other symptoms in the circulatory system, so it needs to be treated before it becomes worse.
Because venous insufficiency is not simply a cosmetic issue but is a circulatory issue, most insurances cover treatment for it. There are several life-impacting symptoms associated with venous insufficiency that make it a medical condition, not simply a cosmetic one.
Compression stockings are beneficial for individuals with venous insufficiency because they can help reduce symptoms like swelling and pain in the legs. However, beyond reducing symptoms, compression stockings do not solve the underlying issues, so they are not a permanent solution.
Because venous insufficiency is often associated with women wanting to cover up their spider veins or varicose veins, it’s assumed that only women develop this condition. However, while women are more likely to develop it, men are also prone to this condition. It is actually more common for men to have more severe venous insufficiency because they are less likely to seek treatment.
When a person is treated for the underlying cause, and not just the symptoms, the damaged vein causing the problem is fixed. Once this happens, the chances of reoccurrence are extremely low.
In fact, many people don’t know that it is a very common condition among pregnant women. No matter what the age a person is, everyone should keep an eye out for unusual veins or symptoms like swelling, pain, and ulcers on the legs.
Ulcers caused by venous insufficiency are not like typical wounds. They will recur and take significantly longer to treat, because the underlying condition causing them continues to fester.
If you develop ulcers caused by venous insufficiency, simply treating the ulcers won’t be enough – the underlying condition should be addressed by a physician so the ulcers don’t reoccur.
Premier Vein & Vascular of Tampa and Largo excel in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of vascular conditions of the circulatory system. If these types of issues are causing you physical or emotional distress, contact us today to find out how we can help you resolve the problem quickly and painlessly.
Call (888) VEINCARE (834-6227) to make an appointment today. You can also fill out our online form to request a consultation. We look forward to serving you and helping you stay healthy.
