Signs and symptoms of venous disease
How do I know if I have venous disease?
Even a mild case of vein disease can affect your overall health. Because your blood flow is less efficient than before, it’s harder for blood to be re-oxygenated and re-circulated. Cells throughout your body may not receive the oxygen and nourishment they need. As a result, vein disease can rob you of the energy you need for everyday activities. So, if you’ve been wondering why your legs hurt or your ankles swell, or you just don’t seem to have any get-up-and-go lately, vein disease may be the reason.
It may be easy to see if a person has varicose veins, but it is not so simple to determine the state of the underlying deep venous system. This is important in terms of management and treatment.
The first changes in your leg veins have normally already started long before you discover varicose veins or other visible signs. Tired or itchy legs, swollen ankles in the evening, pins and needles or pain in the legs are the first signals of changes in the veins. The so-called “warning veins”, a circle of distended veins at the ankle, is an important early sign to be aware of. These are followed later by swelling due to the accumulation of water, so-called “thick legs”. Consult a phlebologist so he/she can choose the best treatment that is most suited for you. Incidentally, the examination is completely painless and presents no risk at all.
How do i prevent venous disease?
Plenty of physical exercise and specific vein exercises keep your veins healthy and elastic. The alternating contraction and relaxation of the muscles in the legs really keep your blood on the move.
If you are diagnosed with a venous disease, you should start wearing compression garments regularly. This way, you will also prevent spider veins and varicose veins from occurring. In many cases, garments in the lower compression classes will suffice. Durable medical equipment retailers often sell trendy varieties that don’t look like compression stockings at all.
In addition, it’s best to leave your high heels in the closet more often and wear flat shoes. In high heels, the muscles in the feet are fairly inactive and the pressure the muscles exert on the venous system is weaker. In flat shoes, in contrast, the foot can roll over easily, which, in turn, activates the calf muscle pump.