The Connection Between Diabetes and Varicose Veins

Having diabetes and varicose veins means you may need to take extra care managing both conditions. In fact, uncontrolled diabetes can exacerbate varicose veins, so you should work closely with your vascular specialists and your diabetic care team. This post highlights key care tips for both forms of disease.

Understanding varicose veins

Varicose veins form when the valves inside your vessels don't work properly, so blood can pool and collect. Over time, they may darken in color, also appearing to be visibly twisted beneath the skin's surface.

Other symptoms include:

– heaviness in the legs

– aching and swelling

– Itching around the troubled veins

– Leg ulcers or bleeding

Understanding diabetes

Diabetes develops because your body can't produce enough insulin (type 1), or it can't adequately process the insulin you do produce (type 2.) When not well controlled, diabetic complications can ensue. These include reduced circulation because of nerve or blood vessel damage. As such, having diabetes also increases the risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD), neuropathy and varicose veins.

The connection between diabetes and varicose veins

Varicose veins and diabetes share several common risk factors such as obesity and living a sedentary lifestyle. Furthemore, diabetes is considered a risk factor for varicose veins, since uncontrolled blood sugar can weaken your valves and vein walls, worsening existing varicose veins or increasing the risk that new ones will form.

Managing diabetes and varicose veins

Certain lifestyle changes can help improve symptoms of both conditions, so you should reduce alcohol intake, stop smoking and manage stress. Plus, following a healthy diet and working more exercise into your routine can also be beneficial. However, in many cases, you may require additional support to maintain good health.

Medical interventions for diabetes

If you have diabetes, you may need t manage your condition with prescription medication in addition to making lifestyle changes. (Type 1 and type 2 diabetics will have different medical needs.)

Medically managing varicose veins

Patients with varicose veins may find relief with compression stockings that boost circulation and reduce existing varicose vein symptoms. You may also wish to pursue minimally-invasive vein procedures like radiofrequency ablation or ambulatory phlebectomy. In our Georgia vascular clinic, we can manage your varicose veins while allowing you to avoid surgery and overnight hospital stays, and while protecting your diabetic health. To learn more, [tx-appt-link] request a consultation [tx-appt-link] with our specialists at Georgia Endovascular, making sure to mention that you're living with varicose veins and have diabetes.