Vein disease in the legs is very common – but very manageable. In fact, according to a large study by JAMA, nearly 50 million American men and women will suffer from vein disorders or problems in their legs in their lifetime. The good news? Vein disorders are treatable with minimally invasive techniques, so the sooner you address your leg pain issues the faster you’ll be back on your feet – pain free.
Vein disease is progressive, which means if left untreated you will have an increased risk of developing more symptoms, including potentially life-threatening complications such as blood clots. Common symptoms of vein disease include:
Vein problems are easier to treat if they are diagnosed early. As a result, it’s important to be aware of the following risk factors:
Healthy veins are responsible for returning oxygen-starved blood to your heart. To do this, they have to fight against the force of gravity. That’s where tiny valves inside each vein normally help. If blood tries to flow backward, the valves close tightly. Vein disorders cause valves to begin to leak or fail completely. When that happens, blood can accumulate in the legs resulting in high venous pressure and many other uncomfortable and unsightly symptoms.
Varicose veins are the most well-known sign of vein disease, but they can also cause the legs to feel heavy, achy, or tired. The legs may also become swollen and prone to cramps that can interfere with ease of movement during the day and restful sleep at night. Types of vein disease may include:
As blood vessels start to swell, this can lead to aching or throbbing pain in your legs. Here are a few additional warning signs:
Additionally, secondary skin irritation can occur like edema, dry, flaky skin, and varicose eczema. Other manifestations of poor circulation or pooled blood in the veins are hyperpigmentation, where patches on the skin appear much darker than the surrounding skin, and atrophie blanche, an angular scar-like mark caused by poor healing after a trauma. Leg ulcers and cellulitis, and infection in the underlying tissues of the skin, can also form.
Venous insufficiency is common, with 200,000 diagnoses each year just in the U.S. Vein disease may have hereditary causes, so a family history of DVT or CVI can increase your risk. Other risk factors for CVI include being overweight, aging, and previous blood clots.
Women typically have a higher risk than men due to hormonal factors, and pregnancy further increases the likelihood of developing varicose veins because of higher blood flow.
Risk factors include:
A definitive diagnosis of vein disease requires a clinical exam by a trained vein specialist or diagnostician. The duplex ultrasound is one of the most common tests for diagnosing venous disease.
A duplex ultrasound, the most accurate diagnostic test for venous disease, combines the best of traditional ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound. The doctor or technician moves a transducer over the test area to measure the speed and direction of the blood flow by bouncing sound off red blood cells. A computer program measures the reflection of the sound and creates pictures from the sound waves to assist the physician in diagnosing problems with blood flow.
Vein disease is a very personal thing, but it’s not something you need to be ashamed of. Speaking with a vein doctor about CVI may allow you to find relief from spider veins and leg pain. With state-of-the-art vein treatment options, it’s often possible to correct CVI and prevent blood clots from forming. To learn more about how our team of vein specialists can help you personally, contact Gilvydis Vein Clinic for more information. You can also click below to schedule a free consultation and vein screening to get started.
Spider veins are tiny veins that lie just under the surface of your skin and are often purple or red in color. Some say spider veins remind them of a spider web, hence the name.
Varicose veins are a common type of vein disease/disorder, which is why patients are always asking us what causes them and how to get rid of them.
Like the water pipes in your home, veins and arteries have a mechanism that prevents blood from flowing the wrong way. If the mechanism becomes faulty, blood can flow backward and pool in the vein. This can happen in any limb, but most commonly occurs in the leg.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious and sometimes life-threatening vein disease. The presence of varicose veins can increase your risk of developing a DVT.
We inject a solution (foam or liquid) that will close and shrink bad veins while rerouting blood into healthy veins.
Our team of vein doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating vein disease as quickly and efficiently as possible, using minimally invasive techniques. This is what makes us the best vein clinic in the Geneva, Sycamore, Rockford, and Naperville Illinois, area.
Contact us today to get a leg up on life!
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.
We’re proud to be one of three vein centers in Illinois with an IAC accreditation. Get back on your feet with a team of vein specialists who help you understand your vein treatment options.