We have all seen adults with those bulging purple veins in the legs. While they are unsightly, there are also some serious underlying issues linked to those veins. You may not have that severe of a problem, so you don’t think you need to worry. The truth is, any type of small varicose veins are the beginning of signs you may have chronic venous insufficiency.
What Is Venous Insufficiency?
Blood circulates throughout our body and as long as it runs smoothly, you have no worries. The problem arises when the blood in your legs has difficulty moving upward to the heart. If the blood encounters a value which is not functioning (closing) properly, blood can move backward down the leg causing pressure between valves. This increase in valve pressure can cause other valves to malfunction.
The result is swollen, painful legs. Eventually, you will notice spider or varicose veins on your legs. It may not seem like a big deal, but it can be.
Contact a venous specialist like the Vein Center at Brinton Lake in Glen Mills, PA if you have developed spider or varicose veins on your legs.
Dangers Of Venous Insufficiency
More women than men develop varicose and spider veins and many are younger than you may think. Chronic venous insufficiency can lead to some dangerous and life-threatening conditions.
Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT
DVT is a clot in your leg that can break apart and move to your lungs creating a pulmonary embolism.
Venous Stasis Ulcer
The increased blood pressure in your leg can cause it to leak out of the veins and as time passes, the skin develops an ulcer which is painful and difficult to treat.
Progressive Disease
Eventually, without treatment chronic venous insufficiency becomes worse and even more difficult to reverse.
Warning Signs
Get ahead of any progressive problems by watching for warning signs while the condition is still treatable.
- Varicose veins are the first sign that you are having issues with blood flow in your legs.
- Watch out for leg pain that seems to get worse when you stand for a while. Elevating the leg usually makes it feel better.
- Your leg may be tingling, burning, or itchy.
- Your leg may feel heavy.
- Swelling in the lower leg and ankle.
- Changes in your skin like brown patches, dry and scaly patches, and the look of leather.
Request an Appointment in Glen Mills, PA
There are multiple treatments available to treat venous insufficiency. Contact the Vein Center at Brinton Lake at (610) 579-3516, or request an appointment online, if you are showing signs.
