The Many Faces of Vascular Disease: Diabetics

Many have speculated that diabetes and venous disease are causally linked in some way. It makes sense given that both diseases damage the circulatory system. As the research stands today, there is no direct evidence linking diabetes and varicose veins.

However, it is the case that these two diseases combined become cyclical. As diabetes can worsen vein health, worsening vein health with pain, leg swelling, and skin changes lead to inactivity thus contributing to worsening diabetes symptoms. Diabetes often causes weight gain, which is an increased risk factor for varicose veins. Advanced diabetes might result in nerve and tissue damage in the legs, where varicose veins are most common.

Although diabetes doesn’t cause varicose veins, the two diseases together are likely to increase the symptoms of both and possibly lead to life threatening complications. This dangerous cycle is why it’s so important to manage diabetes and venous disease, seeking care from specialists who work together to help patients improve and manage their condition.

Often patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes worry that their disease won’t allow them to be treated for their varicose veins, which couldn’t be further from the truth. While any case of varicose veins should be addressed proactively and quickly, patients who also have diabetes should act with an increased sense of urgency. Unfortunately, venous diseases are some of the most under-diagnosed and under-treated conditions in the United States.

This puts all Americans at greater risk, especially if a patient has diabetes and/or is in other high-risk categories. For this reason, it is very important for diabetic patients to seek care with a vein specialist, who is an expert in the evaluation and treatment of venous disease.

Fortunately, there are several non-invasive treatments that are available for diabetic patients and by proactively treating their venous disease, they indirectly help manage their diabetes as well.

If you have diabetes and are worried that you may also have venous disease, schedule a vein consultation today.

Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else.