Understanding Varicose Veins and Vein Disease
If your veins are experiencing difficulty carrying the blood from your feet back to your heart then you have vein disease. This can manifest itself in backflow, pooling of blood or clotting of blood within the vein. It is vitally important that you recognize the signs of vein disease and make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible after you recognize any of the signs within your legs. The signs are visible and physical and easy to detect when you know what you are looking for.
One out of three Americans over age 45 has vein disease. Some of those who suffer do not know why they are suffering or exactly what it is that is wrong with their legs. They feel that their legs are tired or that their legs feel heavy. They may experience ankles that swell for unknown reasons. If these symptoms persist and they become uncomfortable enough they may seek medical advise. Others will wait until they see more visible signs of a problem with their veins like gnarled rope-like swollen veins that are painful or hot to the touch. These veins are indeed having problems and need medical attention. It is important that everyone know what to look for as well as how to keep legs healthy.
Your leg veins have a tough job of pumping blood back from the feet to the heart. To do this they have to flow against gravity all the way from the feet to the heart. When vein walls and the valves in them become weak the blood can start back flowing or pooling and this is what causes the symptoms of vein disease.
The pooling of blood in the vein and in surrounding tissue can cause skin discoloration and also open sores, which are called leg ulcers. These ulcers can be serious even to the point of being life-threatening when they include the presence of blood clots. When veins are weakened they cause discomfort, you may also feel drained of energy and everyday tasks may be affected. If you notice your ankles swelling, or leg pain and or just plain tired legs or lack of energy, the culprit could very well be vein disease.
Signs to look for:
Heavy feeling in the legs
Numbness or a tingling feeling in your legs
Experiencing leg pain after prolonged sitting or standing
The appearance of spider veins
Burning or cramping in your feet or legs
Discoloration of the skin on legs or feet
Open leg ulcers anywhere on the lower legs
A history of leg problems with other family members
Causes
Pregnancy
Vein damage can occur during a normal pregnancy. Blood volume increases during pregnancy and the veins are required to do more work than normal to carry this extra blood from the lower regions back up to the heart so that it can be reoxygenated. Any damage done during pregnancy because of this extra workload is permanent.
Age
As we age our veins weaken.
Weight
Extra weight can put pressure on legs and veins.
Heredity
Vein disease can be inherited. If you know there is someone in your family history who has suffered from vein disease it is important that you learn early how to care for your legs to help keep them healthy longer.
