When most people think of varicose veins, they picture large lumps sticking out of their leg. And while this is certainly true for a lot of people, sometimes the disease can take a more clandestine form.
Varicose veins are more than simply a cosmetic issue. They have many other symptoms, which are hidden below the surface.
If you recognise any of the following symptoms, we would advise you to make an appointment with a vein specialist.
Varicose veins are more than simply a cosmetic issue. They have many other symptoms, which are hidden below the surface.
If you recognise any of the following symptoms, we would advise you to make an appointment with a vein specialist.
Hidden symptoms of varicose veins to watch for
While bulging veins in your leg is a sure sign of varicose veins, waiting until that point to see a specialist probably isn’t a good idea. Protruding veins are not the only thing you should be on the lookout for. If you have one or more of the following symptoms, then please call us.
Painful legs
The most obvious sign of a medical problem is pain, and unfortunately varicose veins are painful.
The pain usually comes as an ache, heaviness, throbbing or tenderness, and is often associated with numbness or a tingling sensation.
The severity of the symptoms depends on how far the disease has progressed. If your legs hurt after walking and standing, especially at the end of the day, you may have varicose veins.
The pain usually comes as an ache, heaviness, throbbing or tenderness, and is often associated with numbness or a tingling sensation.
The severity of the symptoms depends on how far the disease has progressed. If your legs hurt after walking and standing, especially at the end of the day, you may have varicose veins.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS, is a condition that causes you to feel as if you need to constantly move your legs.
Characterized by unpleasant/painful sensations, symptoms occur when the patient is at rest, and is most noticeable at night in bed.
Relief only comes by moving the legs, which in turn can disturb sleep patterns for yourself and your partner.
Vein specialists have long made the connection between RLS and varicose veins, but it’s only recently that a study has proven the link between the two.
Characterized by unpleasant/painful sensations, symptoms occur when the patient is at rest, and is most noticeable at night in bed.
Relief only comes by moving the legs, which in turn can disturb sleep patterns for yourself and your partner.
Vein specialists have long made the connection between RLS and varicose veins, but it’s only recently that a study has proven the link between the two.
Swelling, throbbing and cramping
Vein disease can cause pressure to build up inside the vein, causing fluid to leak out into the surrounding tissue, causing it to swell.
Signs of swelling might be as simple as your socks leaving indents in your skin at the end of the day, or your shoes feeling tighter than usual. Even these small things should be a cause for concern, because, if left untreated, this type of swelling can cause your skin to harden and change color.
Varicose veins can also restrict the amount of oxygen and nutrients that get to the leg muscles, resulting in cramp. This typically happens at night, and sometimes can be so severe that it feels as if your leg has cramped up to a point of where you cannot use it.
Signs of swelling might be as simple as your socks leaving indents in your skin at the end of the day, or your shoes feeling tighter than usual. Even these small things should be a cause for concern, because, if left untreated, this type of swelling can cause your skin to harden and change color.
Varicose veins can also restrict the amount of oxygen and nutrients that get to the leg muscles, resulting in cramp. This typically happens at night, and sometimes can be so severe that it feels as if your leg has cramped up to a point of where you cannot use it.
The risks of not treating varicose veins
Varicose Veins is a progressive disease, meaning that it will gradually get worse over time if left untreated.
As the condition worsens, other complications arise, which is why you should always see a specialist at the first sign of the disease.
Possible health complications resulting from varicose veins include blood clots, which have the potential to travel to other parts of the body and block blood flow, resulting in serious medical issues.
The aforementioned skin hardening and discolouration will only get worse over time, and eventually result in painful ulcers which can be very difficult to heal.
As the condition worsens, other complications arise, which is why you should always see a specialist at the first sign of the disease.
Possible health complications resulting from varicose veins include blood clots, which have the potential to travel to other parts of the body and block blood flow, resulting in serious medical issues.
The aforementioned skin hardening and discolouration will only get worse over time, and eventually result in painful ulcers which can be very difficult to heal.
An easy solution to treating symptomatic varicose veins
The good news is, if you do spot the hidden signs of varicose veins early, there are plenty of treatment options available.
All the procedures we use here at the Vein and Skin Clinic are simple day procedures, and patients can return to work immediately with little or no side effects.
Endovenous Laser Ablation, or EVLA as it’s known, is the main treatment option for varicose veins. A laser is used to destroy the vein, causing it to collapse, and gradually disappear over the next few weeks.
Venaseal is a new treatment, only offered by a few clinics in New Zealand including ours. The procedure involves inserting a small catheter into the damaged vein, and literally gluing its walls shut from the inside.
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy is a varicose vein treatment which injects a chemical solution into the vein, turning it hard and fibrous. The body’s own immune system then breaks down and absorbs the vein over the next several weeks or months. This treatment is usually used in conjunction with Laser and/or Venaseal.
The above three treatments are all performed without the use of general anaesthetic as a simple "walk-in, walk-out" procedure, with most activities possible immediately. Compression stocking need to be worn for a couple of weeks.
Microsclerotherapy is a treatment used more for smaller varicose veins (reticular veins and spider veins), just beneath the surface of the skin. It works the same way as Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy, injecting a chemical into the vein in order to break it down.
All the procedures we use here at the Vein and Skin Clinic are simple day procedures, and patients can return to work immediately with little or no side effects.
Endovenous Laser Ablation, or EVLA as it’s known, is the main treatment option for varicose veins. A laser is used to destroy the vein, causing it to collapse, and gradually disappear over the next few weeks.
Venaseal is a new treatment, only offered by a few clinics in New Zealand including ours. The procedure involves inserting a small catheter into the damaged vein, and literally gluing its walls shut from the inside.
Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy is a varicose vein treatment which injects a chemical solution into the vein, turning it hard and fibrous. The body’s own immune system then breaks down and absorbs the vein over the next several weeks or months. This treatment is usually used in conjunction with Laser and/or Venaseal.
The above three treatments are all performed without the use of general anaesthetic as a simple "walk-in, walk-out" procedure, with most activities possible immediately. Compression stocking need to be worn for a couple of weeks.
Microsclerotherapy is a treatment used more for smaller varicose veins (reticular veins and spider veins), just beneath the surface of the skin. It works the same way as Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy, injecting a chemical into the vein in order to break it down.
Take action at the first hidden sign of varicose veins
Varicose veins are not simply an appearance problem. They are a serious medical condition with significant consequences if left untreated.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, it would be wise to make an appointment with one of New Zealand’s leading varicose vein expert.
Dr Poczwa, along with Dr Lorraine Smith and Dr Jarrod Newell, have successfully treated over 3,000 cases, including some of the largest varicose veins on record in the country. Dr Poczwa successfully pioneered and performed the first EVLA treatment of large varicose veins in the country almost 20 years ago, and since then has continued to be one of New Zealand’s foremost expert practitioners.
Our staff at the clinic are continually up-skilled, attending educational workshops and industry conferences both home and abroad, to ensure our patients are receiving the best and most up to date treatments available.
Contact us today if you notice any of the mentioned symptoms, would like to know more about any of the above treatments, or if you have any questions. Our friendly and experienced staff will be happy to help in any way they can.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, it would be wise to make an appointment with one of New Zealand’s leading varicose vein expert.
Dr Poczwa, along with Dr Lorraine Smith and Dr Jarrod Newell, have successfully treated over 3,000 cases, including some of the largest varicose veins on record in the country. Dr Poczwa successfully pioneered and performed the first EVLA treatment of large varicose veins in the country almost 20 years ago, and since then has continued to be one of New Zealand’s foremost expert practitioners.
Our staff at the clinic are continually up-skilled, attending educational workshops and industry conferences both home and abroad, to ensure our patients are receiving the best and most up to date treatments available.
Contact us today if you notice any of the mentioned symptoms, would like to know more about any of the above treatments, or if you have any questions. Our friendly and experienced staff will be happy to help in any way they can.
RSS Feed
