Varicose Veins Symptoms

Varicose veins are swollen veins that appear twisted near the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are most common in the legs and feet. Your lower body moves around a lot, which puts pressures on the veins. Varicose veins may have no medical concerns to most people. For other people the veins may cause pain and discomfort in the legs and feet. Varicose veins may be a sign of other circulatory problems.

Varicose veins symptoms can show up visually and physically. A visual sign are the veins turning dark blue or purple. You may also notice the veins appear in a twisting pattern and bulging from the skin. Physical symptoms can come in many different ways. The legs can feel achy, or you can feel a burning, throbbing pain in your lower legs. Leg cramps are common, especially after standing or sitting for long periods of time. Feeling itchy around several of the veins can occur.

Age is the biggest reason when it comes to causes of varicose veins. When a person ages they will lose elastically of the veins. The valves will become weak and cause blood that is supposed to be going forward to the heart to go backwards. This blood will then settle in your veins causing them to become varicose. Pregnant woman are a target for varicose veins. When a women is pregnant the volume of blood is increased, but the blood flow to the legs is slower than normal. Varicose veins may appear anytime during a pregnancy. It is more often seen in the later stages of pregnancy. Varicose veins will usually heal on its own within 3 months of having a baby.

The risk of getting varicose veins can increase based on several causes. If you are obese or have to sit or stand for long periods of times this can increase your risk. The reason behind this is if a person carries more weight or stuck in a position for long periods of time the pressure on the veins are increased. If you have a family history you have an increased risk. If you are a female you are at more of a risk because hormonal changes can affect the veins. The older in age the more likely it is to get varicose veins from the wear and tear throughout the years.

Varicose veins are diagnosed through a physical examine. The doctor will ask question related to leg problems to help in the diagnosis. An ultrasound may be done to rule out any blood clots and to let the doctor have a better view of the veins.