Varicose veins and other types of venous insufficiency conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. In the United States alone, an average of 30%-40% of the total population suffers from varicose veins. An estimated 41% of women will develop abnormalities affecting the veins in their legs in their 50s. In comparison, almost 60% of the entire American population will develop some venous disorder at some point. Most people affected by their diseases have to endure discomfort, aching, and pain every other day. However, some of them remain reluctant when seeking treatment, due to the cost associated with treating vein conditions, on the assumption that the doctor will not effectively treat the problem. That is far from the case. When you visit a Bowling Green Spider Veins Specialist, you get to benefit from both effective and affordable treatments. This article looks at some of the vital signs that show you need to visit a vein specialist.
1. Weakness in the Legs
Most professional occupations require you to stand for long durations, some as much as 8 to 10 hours per shift. However, maintaining this posture, without sufficient movement of the legs, makes it difficult for the muscles in the legs to generate the upward thrust required to guarantee the adequate circulation of blood back to your heart. If you experience weakness or fatigue in your legs after standing for extended periods, you need to treat it as an early sign of vein disease.
2. Chronic Leg Pain
Although not all forms of leg pain indicate venous insufficiency, throbbing, aching, muscle cramps, and chronic leg pain can point towards a vein disease. Many people with venous insufficiency often confuse the symptoms with side effects of overexertion, fatigue, aging, or lack of fitness. However, you should take precautionary measures and visit a vein doctor so they can diagnose the specific cause of your pain. If a vein disease causes it, you can effectively treat it using compression stockings.
3. Leg Ulcers
Most leg ulcers show up when a vein disease approaches its later stages. The painful sores are more common around the inner or medial calves and inner ankles. While diabetes is one of the most common causes of leg ulcers, a vein specialist can conduct various tests to determine the specific cause of your leg ulcers and recommend an ideal treatment if they arise from a venous condition.
4. Pregnancy
When you become pregnant, the amount of blood in your body increases by approximately 30% to support the growing fetus. However, this amount of the blood may start pooling in your legs due to increased pressure. This may result in leg swelling and enlargement of veins damaging the flap valve mechanisms; hence they may never close correctly even after delivery. You may therefore benefit from the services of a vein specialist if you are expectant.
To summarize, vein specialists can effectively diagnose and treat different vein conditions. You may need to visit a vein doctor if you experience weakness in the legs or chronic leg pain. Pregnant women and people with leg ulcers also have a reason to see a vein specialist.