Swelling in the legs and
ankles is a common symptom of chronic venous insufficiency. When your veins are
no longer able to effectively move blood and other fluids out of your legs,
these substances tend to settle downwards. The results are uncomfortable
swelling in your legs and ankles. While swelling is merely annoying at first,
according to our varicose
vein doctor in Montgomery County, without treatment the
issue can easily become much, much worse.
The
long-term impact of swollen legs & ankles
When swollen legs and ankles
are caused by an injury or overuse, the symptoms will resolve themselves within
a few days. If the swelling is caused by vein disease, however, it will not
simply go away. Instead, it will get worse, leaving you with legs that feel
achy, tired, and uncomfortable.
Without vein disease
treatment in Washington DC, in five years you’ll have a host of other
potentially serious symptoms alongside your swollen legs and ankles. Poor
circulation to the skin in this area can lead to changes in the skin’s texture
and color, as well as poorly healing wounds known as
ulcers. Venous ulcers are a serious problem and often do not heal until the
underlying vein disease is addressed.
Living with the impaired
circulation that leads to swollen legs and ankles also puts you at risk for
deep vein thrombosis, a very dangerous type of blood clot that can lead to
stroke, pulmonary embolism, and other potentially deadly complications. Deep
vein thrombosis is difficult to detect without a vein specialist’s assistance,
making early diagnosis and treatment of vein problems a must to avoid this
complication.
The impacts of swollen legs
and ankles aren’t just physical. Day after day of tired, aching, swollen feet
can easily leave you feeling exhausted and depressed. You may find it difficult
to enjoy activities you once loved, significantly reducing your quality of
life.
Fortunately, there’s no
reason to keep on living with swollen legs and ankles. Contact a top vein
center in Montgomery County, such as Vein Health Centers, to receive diagnosis
and treatment for your lingering swelling. We’ll help you get your legs back
quickly, easily, and comfortably, so you’ll never need to know what five years
of swollen legs and ankles really mean.