It is important to be aware that varicose veins are not merely a cosmetic issue that can be ignored as this condition can lead to several vein-related health complications. The appearance of varicose veins might signal a more serious blood circulation problem so an appointment with your doctor should be set up.
Causes of Vein Symptoms
The most common cause of varicose veins is Venous Reflux Disease, also known as Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). CVI generally affects s blood circulation and may hinder the blood that is pumped backed to the heart. CVI causes valves within your veins to weaken and thus slows down the amount of blood being pumped upwards due to gravity. The blood that gets stuck in these veins may become acidic due to the metabolic waste accumulation which then leads to acute pain and inflammation. CVI can then lead to spider veins or varicose veins which if left uncheck can lead to several circulatory problems.
The symptoms linked to CVI include leg throbbing, a feeling of heaviness in your lower extremities, pain, swelling, and itching.
Spider Veins and Varicose Veins
There is a difference between these two which are common symptoms of vein problems. Spider veins are, for the most part, a cosmetic issue. This condition is characterized by small, thin, red or purple veins that appear on the skin. This is usually caused by an accumulation of blood. Only a well-experienced health practitioner should be allowed to perform treatment as identifying the root cause of spider veins will need several tests. Fortunately, most cases of spider veins can be treated using laser treatment and injections. With the advancement of medical technology it has become easier to treat this condition as more options are available to patients.
On the other side of the coin are varicose veins. Unlike spider veins, varicose veins tend to be a little less visible depending on the stage of the symptoms. It usually occurs inside the skin which makes identifying the symptoms a little more difficult. Varicose veins are caused when the valves within our veins break causing blood to be pumped slowly back to the heart. Adding to the problem is constant gravitational pull which further slows the blood from moving back upwards. The most common symptom of varicose veins is an enlarged network of veins that bulge on the skin. The effects of this condition may include itching, a burning sensation, inflammation, cramps, fatigue, and restlessness.
Types of Non-Surgical Treatments
As stated earlier there are several treatments that you can choose to alleviate the symptoms of vein problems. Back in the early days the one true method of treating CVI usually involves surgery. Fortunately, our medical technology has advanced to the point when this drastic method is generally not be needed. Treatments such as Thermal Energy Treatment (Radiofrequency and laser surgery, to name a couple) and injections are now available and are effective in treating vein problems. There are even supplements and medications that you can take which have been proven to alleviate symptoms of CVI.
