Varicose veins are a troublesome condition in which enlarged and protruding veins appear throughout the legs and feet. While varicose veins are easy to spot in the most typical occurrences, the signs of varicose veins can still be nonspecific enough to get ignored by patients. In other words, the untrained eye may overlook some hard-to-spot symptoms. Many patients tend to think of varicose veins as a purely cosmetic issue, but in some cases, this is simply not true. Underlying diseases such as chronic venous insufficiency could be the culprit. Either way, it’s essential to spot the signs of varicose veins to decide on a course of treatment.
1. Throbbing or Aching Legs
Experiencing a dull, constant ache or throbbing in your legs that can range from an annoyance to a debilitating issue could be a symptom of varicose veins. Many patients note that this type of pain tends to flare up the more time they’ve spent on their feet throughout the day.
2. Heavy Feeling
If your legs make you feel like you’re lugging around lead in your shoes, varicose veins could be the culprit. Patients tend to notice this the most if they’ve gone a prolonged period without moving, causing their legs to feel heavy once they begin to move around.
3. Unexplained Fatigue
Having legs that feel lethargic without any particular reason could be a varicose vein symptom. Patients who are on their feet throughout the day may also brush this symptom off as work fatigue, but in some cases, varicose veins could be at fault.
4. Swollen Feet and Ankles
While having swollen feet and ankles can be symptoms of many other issues, it’s also a big identifier of Chronic Venous Insufficiency. At the very least, chronic venous insufficiency should be ruled out by a vein doctor in order to focus on what could be the actual cause at hand.
5. Creepy Crawling
A creepy crawling feeling in the leg, akin to a sensation of burning, itching, or prickling, can also be a symptom of varicose veins. In some cases, patients who have reported this symptom have had their doctor discover a varicose vein close to the spot where symptoms occurred.
Patients experiencing any of the above symptoms, or additional symptoms such as cramping, bruising, or unexplained ulcers or bleeding, should be checked out for the possible likelihood of varicose veins at South Texas Vein Institute. The experienced vein doctors at our Edinburg clinic can help you spot and treat varicose veins. Contact us today!
