Does the Summer Heat Aggravate Varicose Veins?

Person legs being examined

Not all people realize that they suffer from venous insufficiency until they experience pain and discomfort in their legs, especially in the summer.

High temperatures during the hotter months can worsen venous insufficiency among patients, with most of them being unaware of the problem. What starts as simple aching or fatigue in your legs with the appearance of spider or varicose veins can sometimes lead to this condition.

Preventive Diagnosis

Take note that having varicose veins don’t always mean that you have venous insufficiency, although your overall health condition can put you at risk. Those who are pregnant, obese, or have high cholesterol are more vulnerable.

If you’re not physically active, stand, or sit for prolonged periods of time, then you’re also at a higher risk. Likewise, venous insufficiency can also occur for the elderly population and those who become too exposed to the sun. Even if you don’t belong to these groups, genetics still affect the likelihood of having the condition.

Self-medication is not an option for this illness, so it’s better to seek professional advice. A diagnostic ultrasound serves as one way to determine if you have venous insufficiency.

Risks of Untreated Illness

A majority of people in the U.S. still forego treatment. Out of more than 30 million patients with venous insufficiency, only 1.9 million people seek help per year. 

Some studies have already sought answers on the effect of painkiller drugs, particularly Rivaroxaban, which has been found to have more tolerable side effects than Aspirin for patients with recurrent venous thromboembolisms.

Aside from medicine, a venous stent placement procedure can also help in curing the condition. If left untreated, patients risk having skin discoloration, thickening of skin and ulceration among other complications.

While venous insufficiency is rarely life-threatening, it can significantly affect your daily activities and prevents you from moving around. That’s why diagnosis and treatment are important if you exhibit some of the signs and symptoms.