5 Signs You May Have Vein Disease
May 3, 2023
By: William Littlefield, APRN-BC
Categories: Cardiovascular Disease, Healthy Living
Do your legs feel achy, heavy or swollen at the end of the day? Is your sleep interrupted by restless or cramping legs in the middle of the night? You may be suffering from venous insufficiency, or vein disease. Although it is not life-threatening, vein disease can severely affect your day-to-day life, but you do have options to alleviate or treat your symptoms and improve your quality of life!
What is Vein Disease?
Vein disease, or venous insufficiency, occurs when blood pools in the veins of your legs and isn’t properly pumped back to the heart. While arteries transport oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body, veins transport deoxygenated blood back to your heart to be re-oxygenated.
The veins in your legs send blood specifically from your feet back to your heart, and the valves within those veins are responsible for preventing that blood from flowing backward.
When your valves are damaged, worn out or don’t work properly, your blood pools in your lower extremities instead of traveling back to your heart. This is venous insufficiency.
As a specialist at the Vein Clinic at TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group, I treat many patients with chronic venous insufficiency, and they often don’t realize they have it.
This condition ranges from mild to severe, and while it is not life-threatening, it is a progressive disease that should be treated, as it ultimately will affect your quality of life.
Who is Most at Risk for Vein Disease?
Several risk factors can increase susceptibility for developing vein disease, including:
- Genetics
- Age
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- History of blood clots
People with jobs that require standing or sitting for long periods of time are also especially prone to developing this condition.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms?
Although some people may be asymptomatic when it comes to vein disease, here are five of the most common signs:
1. Achy, Heavy or Painful Legs
Pain or discomfort in the legs can be a sign of vein disease. Although the pain may be dull or only mildly achy, it often gets worse after extended periods of standing or sitting. It may also be accompanied by a sense of heaviness or fatigue in the legs. This discomfort can negatively impact a person’s quality of life, interfering with daily activities. Temporary relief may be achieved by elevating the legs or wearing compression stockings.
2. Swollen Legs or Ankles
Swelling in the legs related to fluid buildup, also known as edema, is another sign of vein disease. When the veins in your legs are not functioning properly, fluid can accumulate in the surrounding tissues, causing lower extremity edema, or swelling. Such swelling may only be mild, but often worsens throughout the day – especially after prolonged periods of standing or sitting.
3. Visible Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are swollen and twisted veins that become visible just under the surface of the skin, and they are one of the most common signs of vein disease. These bulging and distorted veins often appear blue or purple and are caused by weak valves within the veins.
When the valves in leg veins are not functioning properly, blood can flow backward, leading to pooling in the veins. This causes them to swell, which can lead to feelings of tenderness, discomfort, heaviness and aching in the legs – especially after long periods of standing or sitting. Such painful sensations may also be accompanied by feelings of itching or burning.
4. Restless or Cramping Legs at Night
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, and it is often accompanied by uncomfortable feelings of tingling or itching. Although the exact cause is unknown, this sensation can be a sign of vein disease.
As vein disease affects the normal flow of blood throughout the legs, this can lead to irritation of the nerves which can cause the sensation of restless legs. This is especially common at night when blood flow tends to be slower.
While restless leg syndrome is not completely attributed to venous insufficiency, treatment of venous insufficiency can help to relieve symptoms of RLS.
5. Skin Changes (Discoloration, Thickening or Scaling)
Changes in the skin of the legs, such as discoloration, thickening or scaling, can be caused by vein disease. The skin may begin to appear dark or reddish-brown, and it may begin to feel inflamed, thick or rough.
How is Vein Disease Treated?
Early detection and treatment of vein disease are crucial to managing this condition, so it is important to recognize the signs of vein disease.
For more mild cases, symptoms might be improved by engaging in regular exercise, avoiding prolonged periods of sitting or standing or wearing compression socks. Wearing 20-30 mmHg compression socks is a simple way to support increased blood flow in the legs, thereby reducing swelling and other symptoms of vein disease.
However, for advanced cases, minimally invasive procedures like ablations and sclerotherapy may be recommended. These procedures work to close off damaged veins and redirect blood flow to healthier veins.
Although it is not life-threatening, if left untreated, vein disease can progress and lead to more serious health issues. Plus, treatment can improve a patient’s quality of life – helping to maintain adequate circulation, the ability to stay active and an overall healthy heart.
What Should I Do if I Think I Have Vein Disease?
If you are experiencing any of these signs and think you might be suffering from vein disease, please discuss your symptoms with your primary care provider and request a referral to the Vein Clinic at TMH Physician Partners, Services by Southern Medical Group.
When you visit the Vein Clinic, our team will work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to address your specific venous needs.
Our Vein Clinic offers a range of treatment options, including conservative therapies and minimally invasive procedures like ablations and sclerotherapy. All treatment options are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day.
If you are interested in learning more about vein care available at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, please visit TMH.ORG/VeinClinic.
