Symptoms Of Varicose Veins
Veins, unlike arteries, are thin-walled blood vessels that return blood to the heart and contain valves that keep the blood pumping. A defect in the structure and function of the valves or weakness of the venous wall can result in varicose veins. Increased pressure inside the veins causes them to dilate, and as the veins dilate and bulge, they begin to visibly twist and turn on themselves, which can be seen through the skin. Varicose veins can be categorized as either primary or secondary.
Primary varicose veins are usually caused by a valvular insufficiency in the superficial venous system. Secondary varicose veins occur in the deep veins and are usually caused by deep vein thrombosis, which can result from valvular insufficiency or an occlusion in the deep venous system. Patients who have varicose veins are usually concerned with the cosmetic appearance of their legs. However, they also experience many uncomfortable symptoms.
Visible And Large Veins
Visible and large leg veins not only cause discomfort over the way a patient's legs look in a dress or shorts, but they can also cause physical pain. Veins become large and dilated when venous blood pools in the legs, which happens when the valves of the veins are not working properly or the venous walls have become stretched. The pooling of blood can lead to pain and discomfort in the legs.
Most veins that cause pain are visibly larger and bluish in color, can be felt as a raised bulge, and are often twisted. These are called varicose veins. Spider veins are a milder form of these, got their name from their spider-like appearance, and are less than one to three millimeters. Varicose veins, however, are larger. They are greater than three millimeters and are usually bumpy and twisted. They can lead to further health problems, such as ulcers and blood clots.
Cramping In The Legs
Venous disorders, such as varicose veins, often include leg cramping at night as a symptom. Healthy veins return the blood with waste products, such as carbon dioxide, back to the heart and lungs where it is replenished again with oxygen and nutrients. Veins contain valves that direct the blood back to a patient's heart and lungs and prevent it from flowing back. If the valves are damaged, the venous blood will pool in the patient's legs with the waste products, causing leg cramping in patients with varicose veins. However, it is important to note patients can have leg cramping due to venous reflux even though they do not have visible signs of varicose veins or spider veins yet.
Itchy Legs
Venous stasis dermatitis is a condition that causes varicose veins to become itchy. As blood pools in the venous system and the pressure builds, venous blood can after some time leak out into the skin. As a result, not enough oxygen and blood can reach the skin. The skin over the vein becomes itchy and red, and sores that may ooze fluid can form. As the condition worsens, it becomes very itchy, which can be uncomfortable for the patient. The condition is due to circulatory problems. The one-way valves that pump blood back to a patient's heart and lungs stop working properly, leading to venous insufficiency, the pooling of the blood in the legs, and bulging varicose veins.
Mild Foot And Ankle Swelling
Two systems of veins help pump venous blood back to the heart and lungs to be replenished with oxygen. Superficial veins are located just beneath the surface of the skin, and the deeper veins are located closer to the bones and can not be seen by looking at the skin of the legs. Superficial veins can be seen around the ankles, top of the foot, calves, and thighs as twisted bulges.
Deep vein insufficiency may not be seen as large bulges from the skin, but it can result in chronic swelling of the ankles, feet, and legs. Since the blood is not being circulated back to the heart, due to valves that are not working properly, it pools in the legs, causing swelling in the feet and ankles. This condition is called edema. If the edema continues for a long time, it can cause discoloration of the overlying skin, leading to venous stasis dermatitis. It can also cause an ulcer to develop on the skin.
Heavy Or Achy Feeling In The Legs
Heavy legs are also a symptom of chronic venous insufficiency. The one-way valves in the veins are not keeping the blood from falling back down and venous blood pools in the legs, and as a result, they become heavy. The tired, heavy legs result from the chronic edema, which can also cause a throbbing and dull aching in the legs. They can also make patients feel like they have bricks or cement weighing down their feet. The legs gradually begin to feel tired because of the increased venous pressure in the lower extremities due to venous blood not being returned to the heart and lungs effectively. In addition to feeling as if they are being weighed down by something, patients may feel increased fatigue in their legs when walking or climbing stairs.