Stages of Vein Disease
Vein diseases occur when your body experiences poor blood circulation, and your veins begin appearing on the surface of your skin. As your veins become weaker and blood starts pooling inside them, they are forced to bulge and appear weird on your skin. For most people, varicose and spider veins are no more than an aesthetic issue and do not cause health complications.
However, vein problems can sometimes be more than just aesthetic. Usually, varicose and spider veins are a side effect of aging or genetics. However, certain lifestyle habits and health conditions, such as standing for too long or pregnancy, can trigger them as well. Visit an expert for varicose vein treatment in South Carolina today.
Stages of vein disease
- Spider veins.
You may have heard the name spider veins many times in your life. They are small and thin blood vessels right under the surface of your skin. They appear as blue or purple lines on your skin and look like spiders, thus the name. They are usually only an aesthetic problem and do not cause health issues.
- Varicose veins.
Varicose veins are the next stage of spider veins and can pose risks. When spider veins collapse, the stagnant blood gets absorbed by them, which results in bigger, thicker, and bulgier veins appearing on your skin. They are sometimes only an aesthetic issue but can affect certain activities, such as shaving and applying lotion. As the condition progresses, the veins may burst and cause ulcers.
- Swelling or Edema.
The third stage is swelling or edema, which is an advanced vein disease. Varicose veins allow blood to pool around in the veins of your legs and cause swelling. Some symptoms you may experience along with swelling include the following:
- Muscle spasms
- Itchy legs
- Tightness
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Tenderness or numbness
- Leg ulcers
- Pain when walking
- Skin discoloration.
Damaged veins cause unexpected changes in the color and texture of the skin. As the problem progresses, the skin becomes darker, harder, and more pain-sensitive.
- Ulcer development in the ankles and feet.
The most advanced stage of vein disease is when painful and slow-healing wounds form on the legs and ankles. Some ulcers may go away with minimal care, but chronic ulcer development may occur. There is a high risk of developing life-threatening blood clots. Medical care becomes necessary in this stage.
To prevent the problem from progressing further, visit a vein specialist immediately.
