Varicose veins are also common in men

By Dr. Sonja Stiller, Center for Advanced Vein Care

Many people think varicose veins is a condition only women suffer from. But in reality, about 45% of men over age 50 have some form of venous insufficiency, virtually equal to the percentage of women affected.

Here at the Center for Advanced Vein Care, about 35-40% of our patients are men. That figure is slightly lower than the percentage of actual cases simply because men are less likely to seek out treatment.

But let’s change that.

This Father’s Day, give dad a gift that could change his life: Encourage him to seek treatment if he is experiencing symptoms of varicose veins, which include far more than visible veins, such as:

• Leg pain/achiness
• Swelling
• Heaviness or fatigue
• Inflammation
• Skin discoloration
• Spider veins
• Ulcers/sores that won’t heal
• Restless Leg Syndrome

Dangers of varicose veins also include deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to life-threatening blood clots. In fact, many of our male patients visit us at the insistence of their spouses who are rightly concerned about the formation of blood clots.

In addition, varicose veins can break open when bumped, causing bleeding and far greater problems than just a damaged rug.

Don’t let dad become an end-stager, when untreated varicose veins can create ulcers, permanent skin discoloration, and thrombosis. This Father’s Day, encourage him to get checked out.

Dr. Sonja Stiller is a diplomat of both the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. She is the founder of the Center for Advanced Vein Care, a Tier 1 provider with Lake Health Hospital System. The center’s newly expanded offices are at 7200 Mentor Avenue, in Mentor. For an appointment, call 440-710-1140. More info can be found at YourHealthyVeins.com.