Early Signs of Leg Vein Disease

Do you have leg vein disease? Are you aware of the signs that vein disease is starting to affect your legs? Knowing the early signs of leg vein disease can help you spot the symptoms as they arise and plan for treatment before it becomes more advanced and possibly more difficult to treat.

The early signs of leg vein disease can sometimes be easy to overlook since they can seem related to other circumstances. Leg pain, cramping, or swelling can be due to physical exertion but can also be a sign of leg vein disease. Other signs include blemishes or irregularities on the skin of the legs.

We’ll dive in further to the early symptoms associated with leg vein disease, what to do if see the signs, and how you can decrease your risk of vascular complications.

How to Spot the Early Signs of Leg Vein Disease

Be on the lookout for the early signs of vein disease so you can have it treated as early as possible for minimal complications.

Here are some of the first signs that may appear if you have leg vein disease:

Leg pain while walking
Leg cramping after physical exertion
Swelling of the legs and ankles after spending time on your feet
Red spots along the lower legs
Irregularities on the skin of the lower legs

Since some of the early warning signs can be fairly minor, they can be easy to miss or think nothing of. We all experience blemishes on our skin here and there and may have sore, cramped muscles after an intense hike or helping out a family member on their moving day. There’s no need to panic if your legs are a bit swollen after a long day on your feet at work.

However, take note of these symptoms and keep an eye on them to see if they go away or if they persist. If you’re truly concerned, give your doctor a call to see if they deem it necessary to come into the office for an appointment.

One important thing to keep in mind: If you experience significant swelling in one of your legs along with pain, cramping, and redness, this can be a sign of deep vein thrombosis which is a serious condition that can be fatal. In this instance, you should seek immediate treatment at your local emergency room or urgent care facility.

What to Do if You Think You Have Leg Vein Disease

If you notice any of the above early warning signs and they don’t go away, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can review your symptoms with you and determine if treatment is needed and what type would be best for you.

What to expect during your appointment to assess your vein health:

Your doctor will conduct a visual exam and take note of your symptoms.
You may be given a diagnostic test, such as an ultrasound, to observe blood flow in your veins for any abnormalities.
If your doctor determines that you are suffering from leg vein disease, they will decide how to best prevent symptoms from advancing. You can expect to hear some of the recommendations in the next section as a means of preventative care.
Depending on how far along your leg vein disease has progressed, it may be recommended that you undergo a medical procedure to treat your leg veins and prevent more serious complications. However, the initial treatment usually involves lifestyle changes to see if that mitigates your symptoms.

How to Decrease the Risk of Leg Vein Disease

If you haven’t noticed any of the early signs of leg vein disease, there’s no better time than the present to take measures to decrease your risk of ever having to experience this vascular problem. Prevention is the best medicine after all!

If you have already noticed symptoms of leg vein disease, it’s not too late to make some lifestyle changes to help prevent the disease from progressing. Make sure to schedule that doctor appointment, then follow through with some of the following actions.

Here are some things you can do to lower your susceptibility to leg vein disease and the complications associated with it:

Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid sitting or standing for hours on end
Do some low-impact exercise most days of the week
Elevate your legs each day
Eat a heart-healthy diet
Quit smoking
Keep stress levels under control

Genetics and age can also contribute to your risk for leg vein disease, but unfortunately, those are two factors over which we have no control. Even if vein disease runs in your family, it doesn’t mean you are destined to develop it. If you know you have a family history of vascular issues, take that as a sign to practice some extra TLC for your veins. Your diet and lifestyle can go a long way toward supporting healthy veins.

What if You Don’t Seek Treatment for Your Leg Vein Disease?

Ignoring and being unaware of the early signs of leg vein disease can allow the disease to progress to the point where it may not be effectively treated and could lead to further complications.

If you don’t have your leg vein disease treated in the early stages, you could experience:

Ulcers in the lower legs- could also include sores on the legs
Eczema- itchy, red rashes on the legs
Fibrosis- the vein or surrounding skin can harden
Edema- swelling and heaviness in the legs
Chronic vein dilation- bulging, twisty veins
Discoloration of the skin- different colored patches or leathery texture on the legs
Deep vein thrombosis- a clot forms in a deep leg vein which can be fatal as it runs the risk of breaking off and traveling to the lungs

Some of the complications listed may seem to be merely cosmetic so you may not be concerned with following through on leg vein treatment. The itchiness or redness of eczema may seem minor and you may not be bothered by the skin discoloration. However, if leg vein disease is left untreated, it can lead to some serious health complications so it’s always wise to see a doctor and address your leg vein disease. Leg vein thrombosis, for example, can be fatal. Taking good care of your vein health can protect your overall health and longevity.

Summary

Now you know what signs to look for that may indicate leg vein disease and what lifestyle and dietary changes you can make to prevent or reduce the symptoms of vascular problems. Awareness of what makes you more susceptible to leg vein disease can help you make the changes you need to promote the health of your veins. As much as home treatments can help decrease the appearance of varicose veins and spider veins, they are not able to eliminate the veins.

While a healthy diet and lifestyle are extremely helpful for decreasing the appearance and progression of leg vein disease, it’s important to seek out professional care if the problem persists. If you’re experiencing symptoms of leg vein disease that don’t respond to diet and lifestyle changes, contact us today to book an appointment.