Why You Should Visit A Vein Doctor Immediately If You See These Signs
It may feel like the older we get, the quicker our bodies age – but that’s not exactly true. As a matter of fact, our cells’ innate ability to regenerate slows down, and that is what makes the aging process more pronounced. As a result, having a certain symptom or sign, that you would have easily ignored when you were younger, may mean that you need to go visit a doctor right away. That is exactly the case for some alarming signs that could indicate a serious vein problem or the start of one. If you start developing any of the following signs, regardless of your age, you should visit a vein doctor as soon as possible.
Leg Discomfort and/or Pain
Vein issues don’t just happen; they usually develop over a long time. You may not notice signs of developing varicose veins immediately, but certain signs and symptoms can point toward a weakening vascular system. For instance, feeling frequent pain or general discomfort in your legs, which can be accompanied by feelings of burning, pulsations, or heaviness in the leg, can be a red flag. Any of these symptoms can indicate the development of vascular problems, one of the most common of which is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Although CVI starts as a relatively mild condition, it can cause serious complications, like venous stasis ulcers, if not treated early. If you often experience discomfort or have been dealing with chronic leg pain, it’s definitely time to visit a vein specialist and get your leg checked out.
Vein Discoloration, Twisting, or Bleeding
Vein discoloration in the leg(s) is one of the most common signs of varicose veins and spider veins. It can also be accompanied by twisting or bleeding after getting bumped. Discoloration usually happens in the abdomen and feet alongside the legs, since the veins are too weak to push the blood back to the heart. The discoloration is usually in the form of red, purplish, or darker skin, and the surrounding skin may become scaly, hard, and thick. If you’ve already developed varicose veins, it’s easy for them to burst and bleed if you get cut or accidentally bump your leg.
In case of developing any of the previous signs, you should seek immediate medical attention. However, the professionals behind www.theultimateveinguide.com/vein-doctor-directory/ explain that while any licensed physician can diagnose and treat your case, it’s best to look for a qualified vein specialist. Vein specialists are physicians who have spent years in residency and fellowship training to garner the skills needed to execute specialized medical procedures. Depending on your condition, you may require surgical intervention, cosmetic makeover, or a more specialized venous treatment – all of which are performed by different venous specialists.
Redness and Swelling
One of the most alarming yet easy-to-notice signs is swelling in the leg accompanied by redness. When there’s too much blood pressuring the veins in the leg and they’re not strong enough, or their valves are too damaged, to push the blood back to the body, the blood starts to pool in the legs. Eventually, the fluid starts to leak out of the vein and into the tissue, which causes swelling. As it happens, swelling is another trademark sign of varicose vein conditions. The swelling may develop in both legs or be unilateral. You may also experience swelling in one leg, which can get better or go away completely by the morning. This is another sign you need to visit a vein specialist.
Leg Ulcers
If left untreated for a long time, varicose veins can turn real ugly. For instance, it can cause leg ulcers around the calves and ankles – and this is every bit as scary as it sounds. Coincidentally, leg ulcers are a common complication of another common condition: Diabetes Mellitus. In order to know the cause of the ulcer and receive proper treatment, it’s crucial to seek a vein doctor who can run the needed diagnostic tests. Once the results are out, the doctor can set up the treatment protocol and prevent your condition from getting worse.
Prolonged Skin Itching
It’s perfectly normal to feel itchy every once in a while, but if you have constant and chronic skin itching, you may want to get it checked out. It’s often difficult to connect a skin itch to vein problems, but a specialized vein doctor can easily figure out if CVI is to blame for the itch.
There are a lot of causes for venous conditions. They may develop due to the weakening of veins as we get older, but sedentary lifestyles that include prolonged sitting, little activity, and obesity can accelerate venous damage. If you develop any of the aforementioned signs, you should quickly find a specialized vein doctor and seek proper treatment at athletepath.com.
