symptoms of varicose veins
-Early Signs and Symptoms of CVI
Can you see bulging veins or spider veins on your legs? If not, you probably wonder if it's possible to detect varicose veins before they start bulging on your legs.
For proper circulation we need arteries and veins (well, this gets more complicated, but that's another research for you to do:)
- Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood and nutrients from your heart to all parts of your body
- Veins carry oxygen-depleted blood back to your heart and lungs for “refurbishing”
Since your
heart pump is located far, far away from your feet, and ankles, our legs depend on a
muscle pump to remove oxygen-depleted blood and to supply fresh oxygen back to peripheries.
Veins in legs, come with system of valves, opening and closing only in
one direction, to prevent backflow. This is where troubles with varicose
veins (venous insufficiency) start. At some point, due to prolonged periods
of inactivity, inflammation, contusion etc. valves in veins fail to fully
close. Pressure created by blood flowing in the wrong directions creates
cascading, waterfall effect and further damages lower vein segments. This
invisible to us malfunctioning of valves, is what we eventually feel as
dull ache in one area, pain, stubborn throbbing sensation, leg cramps
at night, itchy burning skin, or see as swelling of feet & ankles,
rash on skin below knee, spider veins on your inner ankles...stasis dermatitis,
edema, stasis ulcer... at that point its not only varicose veins, it's
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI).
Some people will never develop visible varicosities. They will have eczema, itchy skin, brown discolorations on lower legs and open ulcer yet still will not have visible varicosities!
1. Do you experience pain in your thighs, calves, ankles or entire leg?
- Does pain seem to be related to prolonged standing, sitting, hot weather, menstrual periods, walking, riding in a car?
- Is that pain alleviated by elevating your legs, walking, resting, or wearing elastic stockings?
Pain sensitivity varies from person to person. The most common descriptions are pain at rest, a dull ache, burning pain, a sharp pain in the legs, muscular cramps, night cramps, heaviness or tired feeling in the legs at the end of the day, that goes away in the morning.
2. Do you experience swelling in your feet, ankles or lower leg?
- Does swelling seem to be related to prolonged standing, sitting, hot weather, menstrual periods, walking, riding in a car?
- Is that swelling alleviated by elevating your legs, walking, or wearing elastic stockings?
3. Have any of your parents or grandparents had varicose veins or leg ulcers?
4. Does the condition of your legs affect you, your employment, your lifestyle?
- Do your daily duties require prolonged periods of sitting or standing?
- Does it affect your daily activities, employment status, difficulty with employment?
- Does it influence the quality of your life, sleep, hobbies, or choice of clothing?
5. Itchy skin on legs. Yes, itching of skin, burring, tingling sensation, can be directly related to venous insufficiency. Look closer, if you detect spider veins or enlarged veins in the area chances are you should consider visiting vein clinic for evaluation and possibly treatment.
If you answered "NO" to every single question, you most likely do not have to worry about
venous insufficiency.
However, if you answered "YES" to some of the above questions, you should consider scheduling an
appointment for a detailed evaluation.
Your symptoms might be a result of multiple origins, making it crucial to establish a proper diagnosis and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Jozef Tryzno, is one of the very few doctors in the area, who personally conducts all ultrasound examinations & evaluations to fully assess the extent of venous insufficiency disease in each patient.
Jozef Tryzno, MD, RVT, DABVLM - treating varicose veins since 1998
We understand need for consistent, effective care.
Contact us today for more information on our services and procedures
Call: (847) 518-9999