The Internet is overflowing with information about swollen legs and ankles. Just type the phrase into your favorite search engine, and you will receive millions of websites that cover everything you ever wanted to know about leg swelling (and everything you didn’t). There is so much information in front of you that it may seem impossible to even know where to begin.
What do residents of Chicago, IL need to know about swollen legs and ankles?
It’s estimated that vein disease affects about half the population of people in America over age 50. If your legs are swollen and you aren’t sure why, there is a good chance that vein disease could be the answer. Veins tend to harden with age, leading to circulation problems that may cause swelling and other symptoms in the lower extremities. The little valves inside the veins can become defective and allow a backup of blood to pool in the vein, resulting in varicose veins, swelling and achiness. As plaque builds up inside the veins, it can eventually grow large enough to block the flow of blood. These clots can lead to pain and swelling, fever, skin ulcers and, if it breaks off and travels to your heart or lungs, they can be fatal.
Swollen legs and ankles may signal a venous condition that needs prompt medical attention. Without immediate treatment, vein disease is capable of progressing in severity over time.
How might a vein center in Chicago be more helpful than the Internet when you need more information about swollen legs and ankles?
You can find these facts and many more from a reputable online source written by vein experts. Chicago patients may not always be able to sort through the millions of sources, and may stumble upon information that sounds credible at first glance, but could ultimately be harmful. One minute, you may read a website on vein disease that was written by someone with no health background at all, or to a website that has nothing to do with your current condition, such as preeclampsia (which might only apply to you if you’re pregnant). The next minute, you may be reading an advertisement for compression stockings and pain pills.
While the Internet is a useful tool for finding valuable information, it may not be the information you actually need. The Internet, unlike a human, is not able to know anything about you or your condition other than what you type into the search bar, so you will find information about everything under the sun that even remotely relates to swollen legs and ankles. Thankfully, Chicago vascular doctors are human and are able to take into account all the details of your symptoms, medical history and results from your venous exam in order to pinpoint the correct problem.
Dr. Ramon Castro is a highly qualified vein doctor and the medical director of our vein clinic in Chicago. He and the friendly staff are extensively trained and highly educated in the area of vascular health, so they are well prepared to help you sort out the facts from the fiction you may read on the Internet. They’re also passionate about sharing their knowledge with patients. They provide health education in a way that is easy to understand and based on the latest research and methods for treating vein disease. To schedule a consultation, or if you’re just curious about veins, give us a call at 773-283-7887. We hope to hear from you soon.