Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are the untimely dilation or enlargement of the veins in our legs that may be accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms and also may signify underlying venous disease that can lead to more severe problems in the future, if not addressed.

Vein disease is a slow but relentless chronic condition that advances over the course of one’s life. Many factors, some controllable and some not, can speed or slow this progression and lead to problems from vein disease from anywhere late in life to as quickly as 5 years after the process begins. Since, it is impossible to determine how fast these issues will progress, we find the safest recommendation to be aggressive management as soon as vein disease is recognized.

Signs include, spider veins, varicose veins, swelling in one or both legs especially after activity, pigmentation in the shin area, and/or loss of hair from the lower legs.

Symptoms include pain- aching or throbbing, itching in the legs, restless legs, cramps, burning and discomfort from swelling. There are multiple causes for many of these symptoms, but vein disease is very commonly implicated.

In a majority of cases, varicose veins don’t cause medical complications. And some of them may be resolved by lifestyle changes your doctor can recommend. However, there are medical treatments available that require minimal recovery time.

Varicose Veins – provided by the National Institute of Health