Sometimes, it’s pretty obvious that you have varicose veins. In fact, most patients who come into our vascular clinics in Georgia for varicose vein treatment already have visible symptoms such as twisted, bulging, blue or purple veins that are easily visible beneath the surface of your skin. Recently, however, new studies and patient reports point out some often-overlooked symptoms of varicose veins. And it’s important to share this information, to help patients receive earlier diagnoses and prevent worsening symptoms of this progressive condition! Here’s what you need to know.

Key Takeaways

• Recent findings reveal that being extremely sensitive to cold weather could be an early symptom of varicose veins
• Well-known symptoms of varicose veins include bulging or twisting veins visible beneath the skin; often, they are blue or purple in color
• Patients also report legs that feel heavy or tired, along with itching at the vein site and physical pain

Table of Contents

1. Understanding varicose veins
2. Varicose vein risk factors
3. Symptoms of varicose veins
4. Non-surgical treatment options

What are Varicose Veins?

These are simply veins that have started to bulge or twist, and are now visible on the surface of your skin. They develop when internal valves in the veins malfunction, allowing blood to pool in the veins and causing the changes that become visible as the condition progresses.

Risk Factors to Consider

People are more likely to develop this condition based on the following factors:

• A family history of vein disease
• Being pregnant
• Age, especially for those who are over 50
• Extended periods of sitting or standing
• Maintaining a sedentary lifestyle
• Weight (obesity increases your risk)

It’s important to know your risk factors for vein disease, so you can easily identify symptoms of varicose veins and seek earlier intervention.

What are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins?

As we mentioned, some symptoms of varicose veins are very well-known. These include:

• Veins that are visible beneath the surface of your skin due to their blue or purple hue
• Veins that appear to bulge or twist beneath the skin
• Skin that’s taut or shiny
• Flaking skin
• Discoloration on the skin

Additionally, many people with varicose veins report that their legs feel heavy and tired. And this woman went public with her symptoms, sharing that she experienced both itchy skin as well as extreme pain. But now, according to new research published in the journal Open Heart, there’s another varicose vein symptom that we need to talk about: extreme sensitivity to the cold, especially when it affects your feet.

For this study, researchers analyzed data from over 8700 patients, discovering a strong link between sensitivity to cold in the lower legs and the presence of varicose veins. As a result, the study concludes that, even in the absence of other symptoms of varicose veins, patients should be screened for this condition when complaining about cold feet or legs. In turn, this could help patients receive earlier diagnoses and timely vein treatments.

Finding Relief Without Surgery

Varicose veins are not merely a cosmetic concern: they are a symptom of vein disease. And, unless you seek treatment, your symptoms are likely to worsen as your disease progresses.

Thankfully, you don’t need to undergo invasive procedures in order to improve your blood flow and treat your disease. Instead, you can contact our team of interventional radiologists to request a consultation at one of our three convenient locations. When you come into the office, we can review your minimally invasive treatment options and come up with a plan that will relieve both your visible and invisible symptoms of varicose veins.