If you’ve started to notice some new veins on your legs, or if you’re feeling some symptoms with your legs that you just can’t identify, you might suspect that you have varicose veins.
While varicose veins are often simply a cosmetic concern, they can cause discomfort and, in the worst cases, cause major problems for those who have them.
We’re practicing vein professionals in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. With our years of experience, we’ve been able to help people figure out what’s happening with their veins and, in the event that they’ve begun developing varicose veins, stop those problem veins right in their tracks.
In this piece, we’ll discuss how you can identify varicose veins early on, as well as what can be done to slow and stop their growth — and how you can get rid of them for good.
To start, let’s break down 10 signs that you might be developing varicose veins
1. You Have Visible Veins
This is the most obvious, and most common, sign that you’re developing varicose veins: you can see them. Typically, they appear as blue, purple, or red veins just under the skin, usually on the legs. These veins are large and may bulge and twist.
2. You Have Leg Pain or Achy Legs
Aching or pain in the legs, particularly after standing or sitting for extended periods, is another early sign that you could be developing varicose veins. While it’s normal to feel a bit of leg ache after exercise or standing for an extended period, an increase in pain or discomfort is notable, as it could indicate that your veins are having issues dealing with the increased pressure that comes from these activities.
3. Your Legs are Swelling
Swelling in the legs or ankles is another symptom to look out for. As blood pools in your damaged veins, fluid may accumulate in the surrounding tissue. This, in turn, causes the legs to swell.
4. Your Legs Are Itchy
Itching around the affected areas is common when it comes to varicose veins. There are a few reasons for this, as we’ve laid out in another blog post, but to keep it simple, the buildup of pressure in the impacted region of the leg can lead to skin irritation and, thus, an itching sensation.
5. Your Legs Tingle or Burn
We’ve covered how varicose veins can cause a burning sensation. In short, if you start to feel burning or tingling in your legs, it may be due to varicose veins putting pressure on your nerves or causing other issues that are disrupting your normal bodily function in the area.
6. You Have Muscle Cramps or Restless Legs
Nighttime leg cramps or restless legs are commonly associated with varicose veins, as the impaired circulation affects muscle function and causes discomfort. If you have these symptoms, you might want to consider consulting a vein specialist.
7. You Feel a Throbbing Sensation in Your Legs
A throbbing or pulsating feeling in the legs — especially one that gets worse after prolonged standing or sitting — can be a sign that you have varicose veins developing in your legs. If this is the case, note the area and monitor it to see if anything specific spurs the sensation, then relay this information to a vein specialist.
8. Your Legs Feel Tired or Heavy
It’s perfectly normal for your legs to feel tired or heavy after a long day or strenuous exercise. That said, legs that feel heavy or fatigued by the day’s end, regardless of activity, are often linked to varicose veins. If you’re curious as to why, you can find out more here.
9. The Skin on Your Legs is Discolored
Discoloration around the varicose veins, such as a brown or bluish tint, can occur due to poor oxygen flow. If this develops, it could signal a more advanced stage of varicose veins and vein disease.
10. You Have Ulcers or Sores on Your Legs
In people with severe cases of vein disease, ulcers or sores may develop, especially around the ankles. These sores are a sign of chronic vein disease and require immediate medical attention.
How to Prevent and Stop Varicose Veins
There are some steps you can take to prevent varicose veins from developing or worsening. For example, exercise, making improvements to diet, avoiding standing or sitting for extended periods, and more have all been shown to reduce the risk of varicose vein development.
However, if you want to get rid of your varicose veins for good, there’s only one solution: vein treatment.
Vein treatment is quick, effective, and low-pain, with many of our patients able to return to work or their everyday lives on the same day as their treatment. If you’re concerned that you’re developing varicose veins, or if you want to schedule a consultation to learn more about getting rid of your varicose vein problem for good, get in touch with us today.