Venous reflux happens when valves in your veins allow blood to flow backward toward your feet instead of forcing the blood to flow back to the heart. Blood begins to flow backward. Instead, your blood starts to collect and pool within your veins and then in your muscles and skin.
The signs of a vein condition may still be there without veins visible on the surface of your skin. As venous reflux amounts to venous insufficiency, you may find that your skin is becoming fraught with small ulcers, is discoloring, and feels thick, like leather. Our proficient team offers treatment for varicose veins and can help relieve the discomfort you are experiencing. Call our office today for more information.
Often, spider veins begin without symptoms, but when the signs become apparent, patients know it is time to do something about them before the condition progresses to more severe venous insufficiency.
When symptoms of spider veins first appear on the face or legs, they look like non-raised, reddish-purple clusters of lines in a spider web pattern. Any associated ache or pain may be dull and not sharp. There can also be edema with spider veins; swelling is always a signal to seek medical care.
Varicose veins are swollen, twisting, blue veins, often blue or purple, and bulging from just below the skin’s surface. Varicose veins look worse when patients are standing. They are caused by the inner walls and valves of blood vessels that become weak and allow blood to flow downward, pool, and enlarged veins.
Varicose veins are often found below the waist, particularly in the legs, and may even be accompanied by spider veins. The legs can begin to swell, feel heavy, and throb with discomfort and pain, and they may cramp at night.
Varicose vein symptoms may worsen over days of sedentary life at home, school, work, or travel. Patients may also notice that the skin on their legs becomes dry, scaly, and discolored—darker, as if blood were trapped underneath it. Edema sets into the calves, ankles, and feet; the same areas may feel cold.
Indiana Vein Institute can conduct a noninvasive imaging, such as a duplex ultrasound, which uses sound waves to measure venous blood flow in your legs.
This is covered by insurance. Venous insufficiency is not just a cosmetic issue, if left untreated it can lead to significant medical complications. Call the Indiana Vein Institute to make an appointment.
