As you age, you may notice an unsightly and possibly painful vein in your leg known as a varicose vein. These generally occur in the veins of your feet and legs due to the pressure in your lower body from walking and standing. Many people are only bothered by these veins on a cosmetic level; however, for some, they become very painful. This discomfort and aching pain can lead people to visit a doctor for help. In addition, they can be a sign of more sinister health problems.
Symptoms
It is generally very obvious when you have a varicose vein as they are dark purple or blue and bulging. Some people describe them as being similar to cords wrapped around the legs. Painful symptoms include bleeding from the vein, muscle cramping, swelling, and a heavy feeling in the legs. In addition, inflammation in a varicose vein can cause skin ulcers as a sign of vascular disease.
Causes
When your veins lose their elasticity due to your age, they will sometimes stretch. This also causes valves in your veins to weaken, permitting blood to pool and flow backward instead of being pumped toward the heart. This pooling blood enlarges veins and allows them to become varicose veins. In addition, some pregnant women have these veins due to decreased blood flow from the legs to the pelvis.
There are a number of reasons to see a doctor about your veins. If you have tried at-home care such as elevating your legs, regular exercise to improve circulation, and compression stockings but haven’t seen a decrease in the appearance of the varicose veins or the pain that they cause, then it’s a good idea to make an appointment. If your condition continues to get worse or you notice signs of ulcers and inflammation, then you will definitely want to call for help. Talk to the experts at Vein Center of Louisiana to learn more about your personalized treatment. You can also follow them on Twitter for more updates.
