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Like 40 million other Americans, you have a varicose vein or two in your lower legs, and you want to know whether the issue is simply cosmetic or a sign of a bigger problem.
Well, the answer is both. In many cases, varicose veins are harmless, medically speaking, and their presence is a cosmetic concern more than anything else. In other cases, however, these veins can become problematic and/or point toward a more serious health issue.
To help you figure out where your varicose veins are on this scale, Dr. Satjit Bhusri and the team at The Upper East Side Vein Institute review a few key signs that your varicose veins aren't simply a cosmetic concern.
1. Restless leg syndrome
If you’re having trouble sleeping at night thanks to uncomfortable sensations in your legs that only go away when you move them, you’re likely dealing with restless leg syndrome (RLS), which affects between 5% and 15% of the general population.
Among the culprits behind RLS are vein disorders in your lower legs — the same disorders that are linked to varicose veins.
So, if you have co-occurring varicose veins and RLS, it’s a good idea to explore whether treating your veins can help you sleep better at night.
2. Leg cramping, achiness, and heaviness
Do your legs feel heavy when you move or are you dealing with leg cramping or achy legs at night? These are common signs of a venous disorder called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which affects approximately 33 million adults in the United States over the age of 40.
With CVI, tiny valves in your lower legs start to weaken and malfunction, and when they do, they struggle to push blood back up to your heart. As a result, blood can stall and pool in your lower legs, which can lead to cramping, heaviness, and achiness in your lower legs.
3. Leg swelling
If your lower legs swell up and become puffy, this is a condition called edema. This leg swelling often occurs with CVI — when blood pools in your legs, it forces some of the fluids out of the blood vessels and into nearby tissues, which is what creates the swelling.
4. Changes in your skin
If there are changes in your skin around your varicose veins, such as discolorations or shiny patches, this may point toward a circulation issue in your lower legs, such as CVI. The discolorations and shiny patches occur due to lack of blood flow and pressure in the tissues.
5. Leg ulcers
Varicose veins are also associated with venous leg ulcers and are often a precursor to this potentially dangerous condition. As we’ve already seen, vascular issues in your legs may not only cause varicose veins, but also issues like swelling.
Over time, this swelling prevents nutrients, blood, and oxygen from reaching the area, which renders your skin more fragile and more prone to damage — even the slightest pressure can break your skin and lead to a venous ulcer.
Making matters worse, once an ulcer forms, they can be tricky to heal due to the lack of blood flow.
So, if you’re dealing with varicose veins alongside any of the issues we just described, we want you to come in and see us for a vein evaluation. Not only can we make quick work of your varicose veins with any number of effective treatments, but we can also take steps to improve your vascular health.
To get that ball rolling, we invite you to call our New York City office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 212-752-3464. You can also schedule an appointment online by clicking here.