Varicose Veins - Healthier legs can mean a healthier you!
- Category: Infirmary Medical Clinics, Heart & Vascular
- Posted On:
- Written By: Amanda Akey
Varicose veins can cause your legs to feel heavy, achy or tired. Often, this makes you uncomfortable when engaging in regular activities such as standing, walking or sitting for long periods of time.
What do varicose veins look like? They are typically dark purple or blue in color. Sometimes they appear twisted and bulging, like cords on your legs.
What do they feel like? In addition to the cosmetic concern, you might experience painful symptoms such as
- An achy or heavy feeling in your legs
- Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs
- Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time
- Itching around one or more of your veins
- Skin discoloration around a varicose vein
What causes varicose veins? Varicose veins are a vascular condition caused by weak or damaged valves. In weak or damaged valves, the blood will not flow properly and will pool in the vein. This causes the veins to stretch or twist.
While varicose veins do not usually cause serious health problems, healthier legs can mean a healthier you! Schedule an appointment to talk to one of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgical Associates board-certified vascular surgeons to see what solutions might be right for you.
