Do you suffer from swollen ankles, discolored achy and restless legs?
We can help! Vein disease can cause unsightly spider or varicose veins, common among both men and women. While they may go unnoticed for some time, vein disease symptoms can include bluish purple coloring of spider veins and bulging nature of varicose veins.
Without the proper valves and optimal vein elasticity, veins will pool blood, causing bulging and enlarged or varicose veins. Many millions of people in the United States experience the blight and discomfort of varicose veins every year. If left untreated, varicose veins and the more advanced condition of venous insufficiency can lead to debilitating and difficult-to-treat leg ulcers, and a decreased quality of life. Consult with Dr. Handley at North Texas Vein & Vascular, the vein expert today about your concerns, consequences and treatment options.
Over time, a varicose vein can become symptomatic, resulting in a feeling of discomfort or heaviness in the legs. These symptoms are commonly followed by swelling in the ankles and lower legs, cramps, restlessness, and rashes. The pain from varicose veins can worsen after sitting or standing for too long.
Varicose veins are often more symptomatic than spider veins. The Symptoms that patients experience include:
The vein may feel tender to the touch or numb. As you age, varicose veins can form because the wear and tear on the valves can cause blood to pool and not flow smoothly. Vein pain and other symptoms can worsen after sitting or standing for a long time, on warm days, at the end of the day, and some women experience worse symptoms during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy. Being overweight can also put additional pressure on your veins and cause the development of varicose veins. Learn more about risk factors of developing varicose veins.
If varicose veins are suspected, your doctor will perform a duplex ultrasound examination using a device that allows visualization of the blood vessels, their size and shape, and characteristics of blood flow. He will “map” out the vessels so he can know where all the problematic parts of the veins are.
Spider veins are a similar issue, but they tend to be much smaller and often do not present with serious symptoms. Spider veins are typically on your legs but can be on your face and other areas of your body. There are typically smaller than varicose veins and blue, purple, or red.
Learn more about our vein treatments including endovenous laser treatment, ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy, and sclerotherapy.
Contact North Texas Vein and Vascular to schedule a consultation and discover the best treatment option for your veins.