Men & Vein Health: June 15-21 is International Men’s Health Week!

June is Men’s Health Month! Throughout June, Men’s Health Network shares education, amplifies awareness, and distributes free resources to improve the health of men, boys, and the families who care about them.

At the Vein Healthcare Center, we know that vein health is an important part of everyone’s overall health and wellbeing. According to epidemiologic studies of the 1960s and 70s, women are more likely than men to have venous disease, including varicose veins and spider veins. More recent research shows, however, that this may not be the case. We also know that men are more likely to suffer from vein issues and tend to present with the worst vein problems, such as ulcers. Why is this the case?

 

Phlebologists have often observed that women tend to get help for their vein issues right away, while men will often wait until the problem becomes too painful to ignore. The result is, often, leg ulcers that are difficult to heal. Even men who are athletic are susceptible to venous disease. Sometimes men with vein problems misinterpret their symptoms, mistaking the pains of venous disease for a strained or pulled muscle.

 

The important thing for patients with vein issues is to seek help as soon as symptoms present themselves, regardless of his or her gender. Venous conditions like varicose veins get worse with time, and the longer one waits, the more extensive the condition could become—and often, the treatment. Anatomically, men's leg veins are no different from women's veins. Looking at a leg ultrasound, one would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between a man's and a woman's legs.

 

The key for male patients is to get evaluated as soon as the symptoms become apparent. Common symptoms of venous disease include:

• LEG FATIGUE OR HEAVINESS: When legs feel good upon waking but are intensely tired or heavy at the end of the day, this is an early warning sign.
• SWELLING: Swelling can be caused by many things but also serves as a very early warning sign for vein problems. In any case, legs that frequently swell shouldn't be ignored.
• SKIN CHANGES: Redness, skin thickening or other color changes on the legs and/or ankles is a common (and commonly overlooked) symptom. Other skin changes, such as dermatitis, cellulitis, dry or scaly skin, or brown "stains" on the skin can be signs of advanced venous disease and should be evaluated by a physician.
• SPIDER VEINS: Spider veins are blue or purple-colored veins that occur under the skin but are close enough to be seen on the surface. Treating them can improve appearance, as well as stop the progression of venous disease at its source.
• VARICOSE VEINS: Another sign of early-stage venous disease, varicose veins are visible veins in the leg that bulge, often protruding through the skin.
• ULCERS: An open wound on the leg or ankle that fails to heal can be the result of ongoing venous disease. In fact, "venous ulcers" in the leg are often an indication that venous disease has reached an advanced stage.

Venous disease is a progressive disease that is not curable, but for most people, even debilitating symptoms are completely treatable. Today's vein treatments are done on an outpatient basis and are minimally invasive and nearly pain-free. Treatment can stop the progression of venous disease and its complications for those in all stages of the disease; however, early intervention is generally best-tolerated and provides the most improved quality of life. For those struggling with late-stage symptoms, it is still possible to restore health.

 

To learn more about vein treatments for venous ulcers or other vein issues, contact us at the Vein Healthcare Center today to schedule an evaluation. Our goal is to help your legs feel better!