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Often varicose veins don’t cause any pain. Instead they simply present with visible signs including:
Veins which are dark purple or blue
Swollen, twisted veins that look like ropy cords on your legs
Skin discoloration or thickening around a varicose vein
Varicose veins can cause discomfort, pain, or other symptoms, such as:
Burning, throbbing, and muscle cramping in your lower legs
Worsening pain after sitting or standing for a long time
An achy or heavy sensation in your legs
Swelling in your lower legs
Itching around your veins
Serious complications associated with varicose veins (which require immediate medical attention) include:
Painful ulcers may form on the skin near varicose veins, particularly near the ankles. A discolored spot on the skin usually appears before an ulcer forms. See your doctor immediately if you suspect you've developed an ulcer.
Occasionally, veins deep within the legs become enlarged. In such cases, the affected leg may become painful and swell. Any persistent leg pain or swelling warrants timely medical attention because it may indicate a blood clot — a condition known as thrombophlebitis.
Occasionally, veins very close to the skin may burst. This usually causes only minor bleeding. But any bleeding requires medical attention.
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Lifestyle measures — such as exercise, elevating your legs or wearing compression stockings — can help you ease the pain of varicose veins and may prevent them from getting worse. But if you're concerned about how your veins look, and believe that lifestyle measures haven't stopped your condition from progressing, then schedule a Free Venous Disease Screening at Dr. Veins.
Schedule A Free ScreeningVaricose veins are caused by faulty valves that make blood pool in the veins. This in turn makes these veins bulge out. Although varicose veins most often occur in the legs, they can also appear in other places.
The veins in your legs have a tough job. They must move blood a long distance back to your heart—and work against gravity to do it.
Here is a little refresher on your circulatory system: Your heart pumps oxygenated blood out through arteries to your organs and other tissues. Once your body uses the oxygen, the blood returns back to the heart through your veins. Then it’s pumped to your lungs to pick up more oxygen before being sent around your body again.
Healthy veins have one-way valves that let blood flow forward. The valves then close to keep blood from leaking backward. When a valve doesn’t function properly, blood can flow back down the vein. This can cause the blood to pool in the vein and prevent it from returning to the heart. Eventually, blood pooling in the veins stretches them out—creating the swollen, bulging veins that can be seen and felt through the skin.
Blood can pool in both large and small veins. When blood pools in small blood vessels, or capillaries, they’re called spider veins. Spider veins usually appear on your face or legs. They’re very thin—like a spider web—and can be red or blue. Spider veins don’t usually bulge out like larger varicose veins. They can be a cosmetic issue, but don’t normally cause bigger problems like varicose veins can.
Over time, larger varicose veins can become problematic. They can cause symptoms like itching, achiness, heaviness, and swelling in the legs. If left untreated, the pressure inside the vein can further weaken the valve’s functioning. That can lead to chronic changes in the skin and tissues, including open sores or ulcers and hard, thickened skin.
Spider Veins
Reticular Varicose Veins
Venous Nodes
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Trophic Ulcers or Varicose Eczema
The following factors increase your risk of developing varicose veins:
The risk of varicose veins increases with age. Aging causes wear and tear on the valves in your veins that help regulate blood flow. Eventually, that wear causes the valves to allow some blood to flow back into your veins where it collects instead of flowing up to your heart.
Women are more likely to develop the varicose veins. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, pre-menstruation or menopause may be a contributing factor because female hormones tend to relax vein walls. Hormone treatments, such as birth control pills, may also increase your risk of varicose veins.
During pregnancy, the volume of blood in your body increases. Although this change supports the growing fetus, it also can produce an unfortunate side effect — enlarged veins in your legs. Hormonal changes during pregnancy may also play a role.
If other family members had varicose veins, there's a greater chance you will too.
Being overweight puts added pressure on your veins.
Your blood doesn't flow as well if you're in the same position for long periods.
The good news is varicose veins are a treatable medical condition. A qualified health care provider can usually diagnose them with a combination of a physical examination and an ultrasound. Other tests may also be used to more fully evaluate the problem.
Treatment depends upon the severity of the problem and the options range from lifestyle changes to medical procedures.
If you are overweight or obese, then weight loss can help combat varicose veins. Being heavy adds pressure on the veins that can make it even harder for the blood to get back to the heart. Being active and using your muscles can help push blood back up towards the heart.
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, then you may need a procedure. Talk with your health care provider about your options.
DO
These create gentle pressure up the leg and help reduce swelling.
DO
Keep your legs raised when sitting, resting, or sleeping - above the level of your heart if possible.
DON'T
Especially around your waist, upper thighs, and legs. The exception is when your doctor recommends compression stockings.
DO
Losing weight can improve blood flow and ease the pressure on your veins.
DO
Move your legs to improve muscle tone. Get up and walk around every 30 minutes.
DON'T
When sitting, avoid crossing your legs.
Looking for help with some of these Lifestyle changes? We’ve got you covered with special access to medical weight loss programs and premium compression stockings. Give us a call today!
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