Varicose veins are bulging, visible veins that appear through skin. They are caused by failed blood valves that inhibit the proper flow of blood through superficial veins. When blood valves fail, blood pools in damaged veins, and those veins appear externally through the skin. Varicose veins do not go away on their own and generally worsen over time, so it’s important to have them treated. While you can forgo having them treated for a while, you should seek treatment if you start experiencing any of these symptoms:

You’re Experiencing Overwhelming Self-Consciousness

If you panic when someone mentions activities like swimming or going to the gym that would cause you to wear something that exposes your veins, it may be time to have your veins treated. Extreme self-consciousness can have long-term effects on your mental health, so it’s wise to seek treatment for varicose veins to have them eradicated.

You Have Insomnia

Varicose veins can cause you to develop restless leg syndrome—a condition where you feel like you need to move your legs constantly to stay comfortable. Restless leg syndrome is considered a form of insomnia because it impacts the sleeping cycle of people afflicted with the condition, keeping them from getting restful sleep whether they’re aware of the issue or not. Having varicose veins treated can eliminate your restless leg syndrome and allow you to sleep better at night.

You’re Always Tired

Circulation issues can result in ongoing fatigue, and varicose veins can cause poor circulation by impeding blood’s natural path through your circulation system. If you find that you’re feeling less energetic than usual, your varicose veins may be to blame. Having veins treated can improve your circulation and get you feeling back to normal again.

Your Veins Bleed Externally

Varicose veins that burst and bleed externally are dangerous and can lead to serious issues if left untreated. If your varicose veins start bleeding externally, you need to visit a doctor immediately to discuss treatment options to prevent recurrence.

Your Veins Ache

Untreated varicose veins can worsen and eventually start to ache. Aching varicose veins can impact your quality of life, and that’s in addition to reducing your energy levels and keeping you from getting restful sleep at night. If your varicose veins have progressed to the point where they’re impacting your quality of life, you may qualify for insurance coverage for treatment costs. Talk to your doctor to find out what treatment is right for you and if it’s possible that your health insurance will cover the procedure.

Find a Varicose Vein Doctor

Phlebologists are doctors that specialize in vein disorder. After graduating from an M.D. program, phlebologists take several additional years of study to focus specifically on vein issues and treatment methods. They are the most qualified doctors for performing varicose vein treatments because of their specialized knowledge of vein disorders and treatment methods. If you want to schedule an appointment with a phlebologist in your area, find one nearby with our phlebologist finder tool.