About 2.5 million Americans suffer from chronic venous insufficiency, a circulation problem that interferes with the way your veins function, making it harder for blood to return from your limbs to your heart. As with other vein issues, chronic venous insufficiency responds best to early treatment, and that begins by knowing the symptoms associated with venous disease.
At Laser & Varicose Vein Treatment Center, Inam Haq, MD, FACS, and Sushilkumar Samant, MD, FACS, help patients manage chronic venous insufficiency and avoid its complications with state-of-the-art therapies and careful, proactive response. In this post, we review key symptoms you should be aware of so you can seek treatment as early as possible.
One of the earliest warning signs of chronic venous insufficiency is swelling, especially in your ankles and lower legs. This happens when your veins struggle to push blood back to the heart, leaking fluids into the surrounding tissues. This fluid leakage leads to a puffiness that’s especially visible when you press your finger into your skin.
Swelling tends to be a lot worse after a long period of standing or sitting — for instance, sitting for hours on an airplane. Elevating your legs can help relieve swelling, but you definitely shouldn’t ignore this symptom.
Your muscles need an adequate and steady supply of oxygen to function the way they’re supposed to. When the oxygen supply declines due to poor circulation, your muscles send out distress signals in the form of leg cramps or deep aching.
If you have chronic venous insufficiency, cramps and aching tend to be worse after physical activity, resolving when you rest your legs and the demand for oxygen-rich blood decreases. Elevating your legs and wearing compression stockings can also help.
Your veins contain tiny valves that open and close rapidly to keep blood flowing back to your heart. If these valves weaken, blood backs up in the blood vessel, leading to bulging, purplish, twisted varicose veins.
Varicose veins are one of the most common warning signs of venous insufficiency. In addition to looking unattractive, varicose veins can cause pain, burning, and itching, even interfering with your ability to get a good night’s sleep.
Poor circulation can lead to uncomfortable tingling or the feeling that something is crawling across your skin. You might notice pins-and-needles sensations, too, as though your foot is falling asleep.
Typically, these sensations are worse at the end of the day, especially after a day of physical activity, and they can be persistent enough to interfere with your sleep.
Decreased circulation to your limbs means less blood flow to the skin in these areas. As a result, skin may thin out or feel especially dry or itchy. Scratching your skin can lead to sores or leg ulcers that can take a long time to heal, increasing your risk of serious infection.
As noted, blood vessels affected by chronic venous insufficiency can leak fluids as pressure builds up. These fluids are rich in iron, and iron deposits in your skin can lead to hemosiderin staining — reddish or brownish patches that may become permanent over time.
Many people with chronic venous insufficiency notice feelings of heaviness or fatigue in their legs, especially after a physically active day, even spending long periods standing.
You might also notice an increase in leg restlessness when you try to sleep, a condition called restless leg syndrome (RLS). People with RLS have irresistible urges to move their legs or shift their leg position, especially at night when trying to fall asleep.
These symptoms aren’t just annoying and uncomfortable. They can disrupt your normal routine, making it hard to stay active, socialize, and even get a good night’s sleep.
Fortunately, our team offers solutions for chronic venous insufficiency to help relieve symptoms and restore your quality of life. To learn how we can help you, request an appointment online or over the phone at our locations in Staten Island’s Midland Beach or Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York, today.
