For many people, varicose veins seem like no big deal. They may not be cosmetically appealing, but they do not cause pain and you do not really think about them. In other people, they can be very painful and even limit you from walking. In all cases, varicose veins can lead to complications if they are not treated. If you have these, it is best to talk to your doctor about them as soon as possible. Our varicose vein doctor can provide you with a range of treatment options to get you back on track.

What Are the Potential Risks?

There are various complications from varicose veins depend on the severity of the condition. In some cases, they do not cause many complications. In others, the complications may include these:

• Ulcers: These can be very painful. They develop on the skin near the veins and often occur near the ankles. These occur due to the long-term build-up of fluid in the area. Over time, the pressure increases within the affected veins, causing the pain and leading to the damage to the tissues.
• Blood clots: These can be very dangerous if they occur. Blood clots can occur in the deep veins within the legs as those veins become enlarged. When this happens, they can cause a significant amount of swelling. In some cases, they can suddenly lead to an emergency due to the formation of a blood clot. This is called thrombophlebitis and it can be life threatening.
• Bleeding: In rare cases, varicose veins can cause the bursting of the vein that is very close to the skin, leading to bleeding. The bleeding tends to only be minor but it can create a risk for infection and it is likely to happen again if it happens once.

You are more at risk of developing these types of problems if you are older, have a family history of varicose veins, are obese, or you spend long periods of time sitting or standing. The good news is there are treatment options for varicose veins that can give you the help you need in avoiding these potential complications. Come in to see our experienced and trusted doctor to determine if you have varicose veins as well as what types of treatments may be best suited to your needs.

Call 212-993-6133 to schedule a consultation with our Manhattan, New York varicose veins doctor.