Why are the Veins in my Legs Bulging?

There are quite a number of reasons as to why the veins in your legs are bulging. The symptoms of bulging leg veins are very different and require the expertise of a vein specialist to correctly diagnose and treat the underlying issue(s).

Obesity & Veins

Increased weight can cause your body to not be able to hold itself up as well as it used to, making a big difference in the design and ability to function of your legs’ anatomy. Being overweight decreases the ideal flow of blood to your body, causing your legs suffer in the process, along with all of your veins. Since leg veins must fight gravity, they are doubly affected. Calculate your BMI to see your obesity risk and discuss the findings with your doctor or vein specialist.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Venous insufficiency is when the veins are having difficulty carrying the blood that lacks oxygen back to the heart. This could be caused by having an incomplete valve or a problem in your circulatory system. It’s not advisable to diagnose this on your own. A simple noninvasive examination from a vein specialist, or doctor who treats vascular issues, will be able to tell whether your veins are incompetent. This can be hereditary, be the result of hormones, or too much time spent on your feet.

Phlebitis

Phlebitis is inflammation of the veins usually found in the legs. Fortunately, phlebitis is not a harmful condition and is easily treated, though bulging veins in legs can be very annoying and irritating.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Another reason you may have bulging leg veins is from deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, which is a formation of a blood clot deep inside of a vein. It is found most often in the legs. DVT is a serious condition and can be life threatening. Treatment is very easy, and prevention of DVT is something your physician can easily explain. A scan of the veins is important, though, to ensure ongoing vein health.

Trying to figure out why you have bulging leg veins can be difficult, especially with all of the diseases, problems, and issues that come up when searching symptoms on the internet. However, if your leg veins are bulging and not circulating properly, consult a doctor for the simple tests that will gauge your veins’ health, so that you’re never left in the dark on what’s going on in your body again.

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