Tag: avoiding vein disease

What are the Essential Vein Disease Symptoms?

When it comes to vein disease, there are a variety of symptoms that you can observe at home. Venous insufficiency, or vein disease, occurs when your limbs have difficulty sending blood back to the heart. This can cause the blood in your veins to pool and become stagnant. Vein disease may be superficial at first but leaving it untreated and can cause future health issues. Here are the vein disease symptoms that you should watch out for:

  • Swelling around the legs and ankles
  • Leg cramps
  • Feeling of heaviness and aching in your legs
  • Varicose veins
  • Skin thickening on your legs
  • Leg ulcers
  • Unexplained itchiness on your legs
  • Color change on your ankles

Symptom Causes

Some of the symptoms of vein disease may overlap with simple aches and soreness, making it difficult to determine if they are related to vein failure. Vein disease is usually caused by faulty valves and can lead to varicose veins. These are twisted and enlarged veins that appear across the impacted area, most often in the legs. Varicose veins are often superficial and only cause cosmetic annoyance but can become more severe if untreated. If you begin to experience the above vein disease symptoms, you should seek medical guidance. Risk factors for vein disease can include blood clots, pregnancy, obesity, varicose veins, smoking, cancer, and having a family history of vein disease.

Preventing Vein Disease Symptoms

Promoting blood flow through your legs will help prevent the development of any symptoms of vein disease. We are typically found sitting for long periods of time during work hours. Make sure to get up frequently and take stretch breaks, especially if you have a family history of vein disease. Not smoking will also increase the blood flow through your veins. Finally, individuals who follow a regular schedule of exercise and dieting are less at risk for vein disease. Being obese puts more pressure on your veins and can lead to vein disease. If you are experiencing these symptoms and fall into one or more of the risk categories for vein disease, it is time for you to seek the right help.

Treatments at the Laser Vein Center

Do not wait to seek treatment when experiencing these vein disease symptoms. Dr. Wright and his team at the Laser Vein Center have years of experiencing in treating vein disease and providing for the needs of his patients. Call today for your free consultation and see how our treatments can help you achieve better vein health again.

Early Signs of Chronic Vein Insufficiency Symptoms

Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes expectations to have that summer “bod” ready. The heat that accompanies summer can start to influence symptoms of vein disease such as varicose veins by having you experience chronic vein insufficiency symptoms. Venous insufficiency is when your veins are not regulating the flow of blood as they should, with the results having the blood not flow properly back up from arms and legs. Here are the early signs of venous insufficiency that you need to watch out for.

Swelling in Your Legs

One of the earliest signs of venous insufficiency is swelling on and around your legs, especially if you have not experienced it before. While swelling can be a sign of various conditions, it is one of the primary symptoms of venous insufficiency. When your veins start having difficulty regulating your blood flow, it may become stagnant and rest in your legs instead of being redirected back to the body. If you start to notice this symptom, lay down and raise your legs above your heart to assist with the blood flow.

Bulging Veins

Another one of the common chronic venous insufficiency symptoms is bulging veins that are often found on the legs. Bulging veins can appear along with swelling due to the blood not flowing back to the heart. As the blood pools in the vein, it will give them a bulging appearance similar to spider veins. Bulging veins are a common symptom of varicose veins and should be observed by your physician. Similar to swelling, you can help the blood in your legs flow back to the body by laying down and lifting your legs above the heart.

Fatigue and Weariness

Increased fatigue is common for individuals who have blood remain in the legs instead of flowing back to the body. As it gets hotter outside, the increased flow of blood in your body can make your legs feel even heavier. Make sure to rest when you begin to feel this way and raise your legs.

Aching

As your body begins to feel more fatigued from the increased amount of blood in your legs, you may also begin to feel aching around these areas. Your veins will be under increased pressure from the backed-up blood and start to cramp or ache. This pain can be mild or intense and should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately.

Seeking Help for Chronic Vein Insufficiency Symptoms

If you are experiencing any of these chronic vein insufficiency symptoms, you should contact the offices of The Laser Vein Center for assistance. Dr. Wright and his team of highly trained professionals understand the risks associated with venous insufficiency and are able to help you find relief. Call for your consultation today.

Symptoms of Heart Disease: Why You Need to Avoid Diseases of the Veins and Arteries

Diseases of the veins and arteries can be very serious, and that’s why it is important to understand the potential threats to the health of your veins. Unfortunately, many of the diseases that can attack the veins do not present symptoms of heart disease until potentially deadly conditions happen, such as stroke or heart attack. Read on to learn some preventative tips about possible vein and artery conditions and diseases.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) a Symptoms of Heart Disease

This disease is caused by plaque build up in the arteries, and can lead to heart attack, heart failure, or arrhythmia. If you have high blood presser, high cholesterol, or diabetes, you are at risk for CAD.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep vein thrombosis is caused by blood clots forming in deep veins. Hospitalization, prolonged immobility, surgery, and estrogen-based medications can put you at risk. Movement is integral in reducing your risk of DVT, so getting regular exercise and moving around if you have to sit or stand for long periods can be beneficial.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

Pulmonary embolisms are caused when a blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, which can potentially be fatal.  Heart disease and cancer can put you in a higher risk group, along with being immobile for long periods of time. Additionally, smoking and obesity can also raise your risk level.

Atherosclerosis

This disease is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries, which can then lead to stroke or heart attack. High cholesterol is a major risk factor. You can reduce your risk by eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, and taking any prescribed high cholesterol and/or blood medications.

Stroke

This is the deadliest vascular disease and is caused when a clogged/ruptured artery blocks flow to the brain. You control your risks of a stroke by maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and controlling high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Varicose Veins

This common vein disease can run the full range from a cosmetic to a serious medical condition. Varicose veins are caused by blood pooling in the veins due to faulty valves in the vein. If the varicose veins progress to becoming painful or swollen, medical attention is required.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

This is associated with varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis. Those with CVI have veins that are blocked and damaged. Essentially, you can reduce your risk by wearing compressing stockings and avoid standing/sitting for extended periods of time.

Carotid Artery Disease

This vein condition affects the large arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain and can increase your risk for stroke. Those with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and a family history are at a higher risk. Those with these conditions should take the proper medication to reduce their risk factors.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

This is often associated with atherosclerosis, and the risks rise as we age. With PAD, those veins and arteries farther away from the heart narrow due to plaque build up, causing a decrease in blood flow. This will lead to pain and fatigue in the legs. High blood presser, high cholesterol, diabetes, and atherosclerosis put you at a higher risk for PAD. Maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep taking your prescribed medication to control high cholesterol and blood pressure.

If you want to know more about vein and artery disease, or if you want to know if you are at risk, please call us at St. Louis Laser Vein Center to schedule a consultation.