Varicose ulcers are leg ulcers that develop as a result of the incorrect functioning of venous valves. In the long run, the condition triggers the development of chronic wounds on the veins on your lower limbs. Varicose ulcers are common among people with varicose veins, swollen legs or a history of blood clotting. While leg ulcers are common, it’s worth noting that treating them can prove to be a challenging task. Yes, you heard me right! If you are afraid that you can suffer from varicose ulcers, you can take some steps to stay on the safe side.
Obesity
Are you obese? If so then you should do everything possible to ensure that you shed those unwanted pounds otherwise you raise your chances of suffering from varicose ulcers. Obese folks put more pressure on their ankles making their hearts beat faster and raising their blood pressure. In the long run, blood might pool in their lower limbs and trigger the condition.
Smoking
When most people hear about smoking, they only think of lung cancer. However, the ugly truth is that smoking is associated with multiple other life-threatening conditions like varicose ulcers. Smoking causes varicose ulcers by narrowing and starving your blood vessels of oxygen making them unhealthy. And that is not all. Smoking also slows down the healing process as it reduces the oxygen and nutrient supply to the affected area worsening the condition.
Pregnancy
Starting from the initial weeks of pregnancy its worth noting that women risk pooling venous blood in their lower limbs. Weight gain during pregnancy is thought to be the main reason behind varicose ulcers. However, increased blood volume, as well as hormonal changes, also contribute to varicose ulcers significantly.
Sedentary Lifestyle
It’s true that most people who work from nine to five in the evening sit for extended periods during the day. If you don’t take a fraction of your time to stay active and compensate for this lack of activity, then you risk developing varicose ulcers. A sedentary lifestyle boosts your odds of suffering from various veins and gaining weight which also increases your chances of getting varicose ulcers.
Age
If you are between the ages of 40 and eighty, then you risk suffering from this disease. However, its worth noting that even those that are in their early 20s risk getting this condition. Female hormones have been widely blamed for early cases. Males in this age bracket have lower chances of suffering from varicose ulcers, unlike their female counterparts.
Unhealthy Skin
The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it breaks down when a varicose leg ulcer develops. For this reason, you should ensure that you keep your skin as healthy as possible so that it can have an easy time defending itself against venous ulcers.
If you, unfortunately, suffer from the condition its suggested that you address it with the right treatment. Otherwise, you will develop skin infections that can worsen your infection and make it hard to treat.