Symptoms of Varicose Veins

What are Symptoms of Varicose Veins?

Otherwise known as varicosities, varicose veins are abnormal veins that are enlarged or dilated due to overfilling with blood. The blood overflow is caused by failing vein valves that can no longer pump blood at an efficient pressure to reach the heart. Varicose veins can be painful with a blue, purple, or red color that most commonly spreads down the legs. Believe it or not, Varicose veins are extremely common in the United States. Over 50% of Americans over the age of 50 will at one point experience some symptoms of varicose veins.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins:

• Large veins that are visible under the skin
• Swelling in ankles and feet
• Painful, aching in legs
• Throbbing or cramping legs
• Itchy lower legs or ankles
• Discolored skin around abnormal veins

Are Varicose Veins Bad?

The short answer is yes. Varicose veins are bad because of the damage that can occur in legs and ankles. They can also signify a larger issue, such as, lacking essential vitamins. It may also be necessary to make lifestyle changes to reduce future health problems if symptoms of varicose veins worsen.

Common Side Effects:

Dermatitis:

Although most people get varicose removed so the large veins are no longer visible, there are other side effects if left untreated. Varicose veins can lead to a skin disease called dermatitis. At first the disease will look like an itchy rash, but after some time it could affect your lower legs or ankles, causing bleeding or ulcers if the skin is irritated.

Superficial Thrombophlebitis:

These are blood clots in the veins that occur close to the skin, causing serious pain in the affected area. If left untreated blood clots become serious to your health by breaking loose, moving to your lungs and becoming fatal.

Varicose Vein Removal & Treatment

Varicose Veins can be treated by a vein physician. Using effective testing through ultrasounds or angiograms, doctors find out if other disorders, such as blood clots and blockage are not causing additional pain for the client. After precise diagnosis, varicose vein treatment can begin.

Types of Varicose Vein Treatment:

Compression:

If your varicose vein symptoms are minor, a physician may advise you to regularly wear special compression socks. Compression socks place pressure on your legs to help pump blood easily to the heart.

Lifestyle Changes:

Something as simple as doing physical activities that get your legs moving can improve the appearance of varicose veins. Sitting or standing still for long periods of time can cause varicose veins. If you already have them it makes them worse.

Types of Varicose Vein Removal:

If the pain is too severe, the varicose veins have become damaged, or they are causing additional physical problems that may lead to blood clots, then you may need immediate results.

Endoscopic Vein Surgery:

Vein physicians make small cuts into the skin near the varicose veins, using a tiny camera at the end of a tube, they move it through the vine. The camera has a surgical device attached at the end that is then used to close the vein.

Laser Surgery:

Using light energy from a laser, vein doctors direct the energy onto the varicose vein, eventually making the vein fade away.

Sclerotherapy:

Using a liquid chemical, your vein physician will inject the chemical into the affected vein. This causes irritation and scarring, which allows the vein to close itself off and fade away. This method is usually used to treat small varicose veins.

Vein Stripping:

Done for only severe cases of varicose veins, this procedure involves tying the varicose veins shut, then removing the veins through small cuts in the skin.