While it’s easy to pretty much never think about the veins in your body until you have a problem with them, vein conditions are actually very common, with about half of all adult women and men suffering from some kind of venous disorder.
When You Might Have a Vein Condition
Sometimes, the problem is purely cosmetic, like unsightly spider or varicose veins. But more often, the reason people come to see us at the Advanced Vein Center is that they are suffering from painful and restrictive symptoms like fatigue, aching, cramping, and even sores on their legs.
All of these can signify a serious underlying venous condition that can be risky to your health, and if you do experience leg pain, discomfort or restless legs, we encourage you to see a qualified vein specialist, such as our doctors, to figure out what the matter is. Even innocuous-seeming spider veins can develop as a result of more serious problems like venous insufficiency, but there are many effective and minimally-invasive treatments that can help.
What’s Your Risk for a Vein Condition?
Statistics show that about 50 to 55 percent of adult women and 40 to 45 percent of adult men report a venous disorder. While venous disorders do arise in people who don’t show any of the risk factors and don’t afflict others who fit all of them, there are still some predictors that can put you at higher risk for developing a vein condition.
Heredity. If your parents or grandparents had spider or varicose veins, it’s more likely that you will too. Family history is a strong risk indicator.
Age. This one is simple; as with everything in our bodies, veins wear out and accumulate damage with age, which leads to vein issues.
Gender. Women are slightly more likely to develop varicose veins and other vein problems, but on the flip side, men are less likely to seek treatment for vein disorders, which can mean more serious problems down the line.
Medical History. This is a personal one and is different for each patient, but if you have a history of blood or vein problems such as blood clots or deep vein thrombosis, your risk is higher of additional vein disorders.
Weight and Lifestyle. If you’ve recently gained a significant amount of weight, or work at a job that keeps you sitting or standing all day, those things put additional strain on your blood vessels and can weaken them, causing a vein condition.
We Can Help
At Advanced Vein Center, we serve patients of all ages in the greater New England area, and even as far north as the Canadian border! Our skilled physicians specialize in the leading edge of vein treatments and will work with you to determine the best possible treatment plan and care. Don’t neglect your vein health — contact us anytime for a consultation, evaluation, or just to learn more about treatment options.