Men’s health includes healthy veins

Men don’t get varicose veins, right? Of course they do! Men are just as likely to suffer from vein issues than women.

June 12-18 is Men’s Health Week, a chance for men to take stock of their health and habits – including varicose veins and other vein problems often associated with women.

Here are the facts: 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.

Everyone’s veins carry blood from the legs and arms back to the heart. The blood in the legs travels up against gravity, so when the valves in the veins become damaged, blood “leaks” back into the legs and creates a “pooling” effect.

           

Who has the highest risk of getting varicose veins? Heredity plays a strong role, so look at your family history for clues. Lifestyle is also a significant risk factor: does your job require you to stand for long periods of time, or do you sit at your desk all day? Advanced age or previous leg trauma can also affect your venous health.

Even men who are athletic are susceptible to venous (vein) disease. Sometimes men with vein problems misinterpret their symptoms, mistaking the pains of venous disease for a strained or pulled muscle.

Like any chronic medical condition, varicose veins get worse with time, and the longer one waits, the more extensive the condition could become. Many men go to their doctors for the first time when they get venous ulcers, a problem too painful to ignore.

Treatment can stop the progression of venous disease and its complications for those in all stages of disease, however, early intervention is best and provides the most improved quality of life. But for those men (or women) struggling with late-stage symptoms it is still possible to restore health. Today's vein treatments are minimally invasive, cause very little pain, and can be accomplished quickly right in a physician’s office.

           

The key for men is to get evaluated as soon as the symptoms become apparent or they suspect there’s a problem.

Schedule your evaluation and learn how treatment could improve your health and quality of life.

Father’s Day Facts: What Men Should Know About Veins

  by  Mina Magiska Bakverk (My Magical Pastries) 

Women are more likely than men to have venous disease, including varicose veins and spider veins. But men are more likely to suffer from the worst vein problems, such as ulcers. Why is this the case?

One reason is 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. Leg wounds that won’t heal is often the result. Even men who are athletic are susceptible to venous disease.

Venous Disease is a Real Medical Issue

The important thing is to seek help for vein issues as soon as symptoms present themselves. For both men and women, venous disease is a medical issue, not a vanity issue. Conditions like varicose veins get worse with time, so the longer someone waits, the more extensive the condition—and the treatment.

A Venous Symptom Checklist – for Dad (& Grandad)

The key for men is to get evaluated as soon as they suspect there’s a problem. 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 stasis 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. Treatment can stop the progression of the disease and restore health and quality of life for both women and men, so everyone can enjoy many happy, healthy Father’s Days.