5 Common Symptoms of Vein Disease
Blood is transported through your body in two ways: Arteries carry blood from your heart, while veins carry it back. Normally functioning valves in the leg veins move blood through the pelvic veins and back to the heart. When valves leak, blood begins to collect and pool in the legs, creating pressure that leads to discomfort and other conditions.
In addition to the symptoms below, the appearance of varicose veins and/or spider veins can indicate an underlying vein disease.
While spider veins can occasionally be cosmetic in nature, a medical cause may be present. A qualified vein specialist will be able to diagnose any underlying causes following an examination and ultrasound of the affected area.
5 Common Symptoms of Vein Disease Include:
1) Lower Leg or Ankle Swelling
When left untreated, chronic venous disease can cause swelling, or edema, in the ankles and lower legs. The area around the ankle bones is often the first place that swelling becomes noticeable.
Sometimes leg or ankle swelling is only evident at the end of the day, while it might be present all the time in other cases. Elevation often decreases leg swelling, making it less prominent in the morning.
Swollen legs can be caused by conditions beyond chronic venous disease, so this problem should be evaluated to determine the cause.
2) Leg Aches or Soreness
The pressure caused by abnormal leg veins often leads to pain or soreness in the lower legs, particularly after standing for long periods of time. Many individuals who are unaware of their vein disease try to ignore or dismiss these pains as symptoms of aging or overwork. In some cases, an underlying medical cause is responsible, and can be treated with the proper diagnosis.
3) Itching, Tingling or Burning
The American Heart Association notes that patients with varicose veins, or venous insufficiency, “can also experience symptoms of burning, aching, or itchiness. Symptoms tend to be less severe in the morning after a night of leg elevation in bed, and worsen through the day with standing.”
4) Fatigue
Common indicators of venous disease include legs that feel heavy or fatigued. Legs can feel tired at the end of the day, or after standing for long periods, because of blood that cannot be efficiently returned to the heart. The blood pools in the legs due to faulty valves, and causes increased pressure. Treating the veins that cause this inefficiency can eliminate discomfort and restore quality of life.
5) Leg Skin Changes (Darkening or Reddening)
An American Venous Forum article on vein disease symptoms includes leg skin darkening, which is also called hyperpigmentation. According to the AVF, several changes in the veins lead to the darkened skin – increased blood flow to the affected area, combined with a decreased delivery of oxygen and life-giving food to the tissues. The red blood cells leak into the tissues through small holes in the vein walls, leading to skin staining or hyperpigmentation.
Are you suffering from any of the 5 common symptoms of vein disease listed above?
Please email OC VeinCare or call (949) 364-0080 today. Dr. Maraya Altuwaijri is an accomplished, board certified Vascular Surgeon who specializes exclusively in the office based treatment of vein disease.