Every year, millions of people from all ages suffer from vein disease. Many of these individuals often ignore the early warning signs of vein disease, resulting in treatment for complications that arise. Although overlooked, vascular health is important to one’s well-being. RejuVeination hopes to educate those unfamiliar with the early signs of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI).

It is always important to seek help when noticing early stages of vein disease. Every person is affected by vein disease differently. Unfortunately, the outcome for those who ignore the early signs all remain the same: vein disease will worsen over time if left untreated. 

An overview of the stages, the signs, and the symptoms will familiarize you with vein disease. With this information, proper action can be taken to reduce any future health implications. 

Reticular Veins (Spider Veins)

The first stage to vein disease is oftentimes one that is hard to notice. Reticular Veins, also known as Spider Veins, are easy to ignore as they may be difficult to spot. 

Reticular veins are veins that appear on the surface of an individual’s leg or face. Although commonly found on legs, reticular veins are blue, purple, or even red in color. The shape and movement of a vein is “spider-like” hence the secondary name of Spider Veins. As the first stage in vein disease, spider veins seldom cause any pain. This is why so many people may struggle to identify a presence of vein disease. 

Fortunately, reticular veins can be treated. Knowing the causes of reticular veins makes it easier to identify the early signs of vein disease. 

Causes of Spider Veins Include

The main cause of spider veins is due to weak or damaged valves in the vein. In addition, there are other factors that may increase the chances of developing spider veins. These include prolonged sitting, pregnancy or menopause, obesity, hormone imbalances, and family history of vein disease. 

Typically, reticular veins are treated as a cosmetic issue. They are often easy to treat, but may not be treated thoroughly as a proper vein disease problem. 

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are the next stage in signs of vein disease. These bulging leg veins twist underneath the skin, unlike reticular veins. Like reticular veins, some see bulging varicose veins to be a cosmetic issue. Unfortunately for many, bulging varicose veins may indicate chronic venous insufficiency.

Understanding the symptoms of varicose veins can determine what steps an individual may need in order to seek medical help for vein disease.  

Symptoms Associated with Varicose Veins

There are important signs and symptoms an individual should recognize in the stages of varicose veins. Many of these symptoms include: 

• Veins that appear to be dark blue or purple in color
• Veins often look like cords or twists on an individual’s legs
• Achy or heavy feeling in legs
• Muscle cramping, throbbing, or burning in the lower legs
• Leg pain after prolonged sitting or standing
• Itching and skin discoloration around veins

Be sure to seek medical attention if you experience skin changes or any of the above symptoms for a prolonged period of time. Varicose veins are often seen as the beginning of Chronic Venous Insufficiency. 

Possible Causes of Varicose Veins

The cause of varicose veins comes from weak and damaged valves in the veins. In the lower legs, muscles contract in order to help blood flow throughout the body. 

When these valves are damaged and weak, the blood flows back into the veins. This causes the blood to pool, resulting in the veins to stretch into the shaping seen in varicose veins. 

Swelling of the Legs and Ankles

The next stage of vein disease is the swelling of the legs and ankles. The swelling indicates that there is a backflow within the venous system in the valves of the veins. The inability to reabsorb and circulate fluid throughout the body is what causes the swelling. The varicose veins in an individual’s legs allow blood to pool, causing swelling in the legs and ankles. 

Symptoms Accompanying Inflammation in the Legs

There are a multitude of symptoms that an individual can experience alongside the swelling of their legs and ankles. These symptoms may include:

• Tightness around the calves and ankles
• Throbbing leg pain when walking 
• Itchiness in the legs and ankles
• A numbing sensation around the varicose veins
• Consistent muscular spasms
• Brown skin near varicose veins on the legs or ankles
• Restless legs syndrome

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you contact Rejuvenation Immediately to be seen by one of our vein experts. These symptoms are typically in combination with the identification of varicose veins. If you notice either stages are affecting you, seek medical attention immediately. 

Possible Causes of Leg and Ankle Swelling

Swelling in the legs and ankles are found to come from other possible causes including:

• Heart Disease
• High Blood Pressure
• Smoking
• Poor Diet and Exercise
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency disease
• Deep Vein Thrombosis 

If you notice any of the above causes affecting your daily life, it is crucial to seek medical attention with a doctor. Determining the next course of action is important before symptoms worsen over time. 

Skin Discoloration (Lipodermatosclerosis)

Otherwise known as Lipodermatosclerosis, skin changes and discoloration is typically accompanied with leg pain at this stage of vein disease. Irritation and itchiness near the legs are also a common sensation when legs show signs of skin discoloration. 

By this point in the vein disease stages, skin will take longer to heal, and is at more risk for long term injury. 

Symptoms of Lipodermatosclerosis 

At this stage, it is common for skin to begin to crack and bleed, which can lead to sores and other symptoms including:

• Venous leg ulcers
• Different changes in skin color around legs and ankles
• Thickening skin around varicose veins
• Leathery texture in skin around ankles
• Swelling and pain in the leg and ankle
• Legs beginning to taper above the ankles

At this stage, it is imperative that an individual seeks professional medical help. Diagnosing and developing a treatment plan is crucial at this stage, because many struggle with long term issues as a result. 

Causes of Skin Discoloration 

Discoloration in skin around the legs and ankles can come from causes including:

• Hormonal changes
• Sitting or standing for a prolonged period of time
• Poor diet and obesity
• Heart disease
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

Again, seeking medical attention at this stage is crucial. It is easy to develop sores, but hard to heal in a short time. 

Ulcers and Open Sores

Venous leg ulcers are the next stage in vein disease. Following skin discoloration, the veins have inadequate blood flow which prevents them from sending any nutrients to the skin to heal. 

These venous ulcers can be painful, debilitating, and chronic in nature. Since these venous ulcers are essentially open wounds, there is a chance of bacteria entering the venous ulcer. This can cause further leg pain and chances of infection. 

Skin Ulcers are Broken up into Three Different Categories

The three types of skin ulcers associated with vein disease include:

• Arterial Skin Ulcers: blocked arteries causing poor blood flow
• DiabeticSkin Ulcers: caused by narrow arteries and nerve damage
• Venous Skin Ulcers: poor blood circulation in leg veins

Venous skin ulcers typically make up the majority of skin ulcers for those with Chronic Venous Insufficiency. These venous ulcers form outside the skin as a result of pressure that forms in the pool of blood inside the veins. The increased pressure cuts off blood flow to the capillaries, resulting in a build-up of white blood cells. 

Symptoms of Venous Leg Ulcers

There are associated symptoms that are included with venous leg ulcers. Some of these symptoms include:

• Open sores on legs, ankles, and feet
• Yellow fluid leaking from open sores
• Painful, itching, and burning sensation in leg and ankle
• Tightening skin around ankles
• Discoloration of skin around ankles and legs
• Swelling around ankles and legs

Understanding the following stages in the vein disease stage can help individuals take the right course of action when seeking medical attention. Fortunately, many vein disease complications are treatable.

People Also Ask:

How can I stop varicose veins from getting worse?

Seeing a medical professional for treatment is the primary solution for stopping varicose veins from worsening. A medical professional can take the best steps to move forward with an individual’s worsening varicose veins. 

What is the best procedure for varicose veins?

Treatment modalities for varicose veins that meet the criteria for medical necessity include endovenous ablation, phlebectomy and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy.  A trained medical professional will recommend a course of treatment after diagnostic tests to determine the extent of the condition.  

Are varicose veins completely curable?

Currently, there is no way to completely cure varicose veins. Because of Chronic Venous Insufficiency, permanent damage is caused to the varicose veins. Fortunately, if varicose veins become painful or detrimental to an individual’s health, treated to reduce these symptoms.  With the power of technology and medicine, the process is extremely safe. 

How long does it take for varicose veins to go away after treatment?

Radio Frequency ablation treatments will cause the vein to eventually be absorbed by the body.  Improvement in blood flow will be realized following the internal healing process. Healing of the access point usually takes about 10 to 14 days after a treatment session and final results of a radio frequency ablation treatment will be visible a few months following your treatment session.
Do you want to find out if you are a candidate for the varicose vein treatments offered at RejuVeination? Contact our office in Cincinnati today for further information or to schedule a consultation with a member of our expert team. Prior to your consultation, we recommend you complete our free, Three-minute online vein screening. We look forward to assisting you!