Here are 4 Early Warning Signs of Varicose Veins

Over 40 million Americans have varicose veins. The large twisted and swollen veins appear on the skin, particularly on the legs, affecting your confidence or indicating circulatory issues. The El Paso Desert West Vein & Surgery Center varicose veins specialists encourage patients to look out for the early signs of the condition and seek medical assistance soon. In rare cases, varicose veins can lead to severe health complications like blood clots and ulcers if not well managed. That is why we help you know the early warning signs so you can be on the watch.

Understand Your Risk Factors

Varicose veins can affect anyone, but some people are more likely to endure the condition than others. Knowing your risk factors is good as it will help you take action. Here are some factors increasing your chances of developing varicose veins;

Family History

Studies have shown that about 50% of varicose veins patients have a family history of the condition. Therefore, investigate your family since you will be more likely to develop varicose veins if one of your close family members has the condition.

Obesity or Overweight

Excess weight exerts more pressure on your veins. You might want to consider losing weight to minimize your risks of developing varicose veins. The extra pressure can cause the veins to weaken and malfunction, leading to the condition.

Standing or Sitting Longer

The nature of your job can increase your chances of developing varicose veins. If you spend most of your time sitting or standing, you need to adapt to changing your position after a while to allow blood to flow evenly on your legs as you move around.

Age

The valves controlling blood flow in your veins naturally weaken as you age and may affect blood flow in your legs, paving the way for varicose veins.

Signs to Watch

Swollen Feet

You should see a doctor anytime you experience swelling in your feet or ankle, especially when you cannot recall any injury. When this happens after a long busy day, it might indicate you are at risk of developing varicose veins. It might not be worrying when it happens once, but call your doctor if you notice it occurs on a regular basis.

Leg Ache

It is common to experience discomfort after a long walk or other physical activities if you are not used to them. But achy legs could also be telling you something about varicose veins.

Spots on Your Lower Legs

If you know you are at risk of developing varicose veins, it is essential to examine your lower legs often. If you notice red spots on your skin, they might signify weakness in your blood vessels and might indicate bursting.

Unnatural Shine to Your Legs

Some varicose vein patients had reported noticing an unnatural shine on their legs before the swelling of varicose veins appeared. You can also watch for itchy legs that seem to peel or an unnatural pigmentation in your skin.

Investigate your varicose veins risk factors and watch out for these early signs to catch varicose veins early to improve the effectiveness of the treatment and prevent serious complications. You can reach out to Desert West Vein & Surgery Center for help identifying your risk factors and knowing more signs to watch out for. You can also book an online appointment.