Patients I talk to share with me their biggest fears about health issues they are either worried about or may be experiencing. For some of their biggest concerns are weight gain, inactivity, and loss of independence. Other people are worried that vein conditions can lead to more serious problems such as a heart condition or even loss of their leg. The good news is a vein condition rarely if ever causes a serious problem like a heart condition or loss of a leg, though it can - and often does - negatively affect your health.
Untreated Vein Conditions Worsen Each Year
Once it starts, if left untreated, your vein condition will get worse each year and eventually reduce your activity level, sleep quality, and enjoyment of life. This is the primary health impact that often results in weight gain and joint problems.
So when patients ask me if their veins could be holding their health back, the simple answer is, yes! Watch the video below as I go into more detail and address the common question:
How Does a Vein Condition Negatively Affect Health?
The number one way that I see how vein conditions affect a patient's overall health negatively over time would be due to a reduction in their physical activity. Their activity level goes down because they are tired and fatigued towards the end of the day due to an accumulation of inflammation due to a vein condition. In addition, the inflammation in the body reduces sleep quality which increases fatigue. This leads to reduced activity and fewer calories burned, which leads to weight gain and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Common health issues derived from an untreated vein condition can include:
- Cardiovascular Health - inactivity leads to decreased cardiac function
- Weight Gain or Inability to Lose Weight
- Poor Quality Sleep causing Emotional Roller-Coaster Feelings and Fatigue
- Joint Health - primarily hips, knees, and ankles
What can be done to reverse these effects?
There are many ways one can reverse the negative effects of a vein condition. The number one thing I always encourage in my patients, no matter their age, is to stay active! If you think you have a vein condition, trying compression stockings is a simple first step and will increase your ability to be active. For many people who reach the point where inflammation in your body is keeping them from being active, it's virtually impossible to have normal activity and exercise. For these patients who are frustrated and exhausted, I usually advise them to wait to start an exercise program until after their vein treatments have started because it's usually too frustrating for them until then.
