Symptoms of Vein Disease

Dr Sabatino with patient

Symptoms

Vein disease has 5 main symptoms: swollen legs or ankles, achy or heavy legs, leg restlessness or cramps, skin discoloration or dryness, and leg pain. Vein disease, also known as venous insufficiency, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide.

Mequon Vein is home to Dr. Sabatino, an experienced vein specialist. Dr. Sabatino will accurately diagnose your vein symptoms and develop a custom treatment plan for you. Contact us today to learn more about common symptoms associated with vein disease, and we’ll help you decide if it’s time to seek professional medical attention.

What is Vein Disease

Vein disease occurs when the valves within the veins fail to function properly, leading to blood pooling and increased pressure within the veins. As a result, various symptoms arise, indicating the presence of vein disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Vein Disease

Get the Vein Care You Deserve

Concerned about the cost of vein disease treatment? Mequon Vein understands the importance of affordable care. We work closely with many major insurance providers so our patients have access to the highest quality vein care. Some of the most commonly accepted insurances include UMR, UnitedHealthcare, Exceedent and Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield. Our knowledgeable staff will guide you through the process, verifying your coverage and explaining any out-of-pocket expenses. Don’t let financial worries prevent you from seeking treatment.

Commonalities Between Spider Veins & Varicose Veins

Part of the trickiness with varicose veins is many of the diseased veins are deep within the skin and not visible on the surface. Many people experience symptoms but have no visible signs.  Varicose veins most commonly occur in the legs and under the skin. Most varicose veins require an ultrasound for diagnosis.

Spider veins are also diseased varicose veins that are smaller in appearance and typically less painful. Most individuals with spider veins also have a larger underlying varicose vein issue. Often, the spider veins become visible on the skin’s surface due to the deeper, enlarged varicose veins pushing the smaller blood vessels closer to the surface.

7 Facts of Spider Veins & Varicose Veins

 
Spider Veins
Varicose Veins

Location

Anywhere on the body, beneath the skin’s surface

In most cases, located in the legs, beneath the skin’s surface

Appearance

Thin, web-like veins

Not always visible without ultrasound detection. Appear as swollen and twisted

Texture

Flat

Raised

Size

1mm or 1/32 inch

4 mm or ⅛ inch

Color

Red, blue or purple

Blue or purple

Pain Level

Variable

Moderate to high. Often cause painful leg symptoms

Caused By Vein Disease

Z
Z

5 Signs of Vein Disease

Swollen Legs or Ankles

One of the prominent symptoms of vein disease is leg swelling, also known as edema. This occurs due to the impaired circulation caused by dysfunctional valves within the veins. When the valves fail to efficiently return blood to the heart, blood can accumulate and pool in the lower extremities, resulting in swelling.

Leg swelling associated with vein disease is often more noticeable at the end of the day, after prolonged periods of standing or sitting. It typically affects the ankles and calves but can extend to the entire leg in severe cases.

Achy or Heavy Legs

Another common symptom of vein disease is the sensation of achy or heavy legs. This discomfort typically arises as a result of impaired blood flow and increased pressure within the affected veins. The feeling of achiness or heaviness is often more pronounced after prolonged periods of standing or sitting, as well as towards the end of the day.

Individuals with vein disease may describe their legs as feeling tired, sore or fatigued. The sensation can be accompanied by a dull, persistent ache that may worsen with activity or when the legs are elevated for extended periods.

Leg Restlessness or Cramps

Leg restlessness or cramps can be additional symptoms of vein disease. These sensations often manifest as an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, especially when you’re at rest or trying to sleep. This condition is commonly referred to as restless legs syndrome (RLS) and can be associated with venous insufficiency.

Individuals with vein disease may experience discomfort in the form of tingling, itching or a crawling sensation in their legs. This can lead to an overwhelming need to constantly move the legs for relief. Leg restlessness can disrupt sleep patterns, causing sleep deprivation and daytime fatigue.

In addition to restlessness, individuals with vein disease may also experience leg cramps. Cramps are typically described as sudden, intense muscle contractions that cause pain and can last for several seconds to a few minutes. Cramps commonly occur at night and may be triggered by prolonged periods of inactivity or excessive fluid retention.

Skin Changes

Skin changes may be symptoms of vein disease. As venous insufficiency progresses, impaired circulation and increased pressure in the veins lead to various changes in the skin of the affected areas. Changes may include:

Discoloration: The skin around the affected veins becomes discolored, appearing reddish or brownish. This discoloration is known as hyperpigmentation and is caused by the pooling of blood in the veins.

Ulcers: In severe cases of vein disease, chronic venous ulcers develop. These are open sores that typically form around the ankles or lower legs. Venous ulcers can be painful, slow to heal and prone to infection.

Dryness and Itching: The skin in the affected area becomes dry and itchy due to poor circulation and inflammation. Scratching can further damage the skin barrier and increase the risk of infection.

Skin Thinning: Over time, the skin in the affected area becomes thin and fragile. This makes it more susceptible to injuries and can result in slow wound healing.

Leg Pain

Leg pain is a significant symptom commonly experienced by individuals with vein disease. The pain varies in intensity and presents in different forms, depending on the specific condition causing the vein disease.

In some cases, vein disease leads to more severe leg pain, such as sharp or shooting pain. This type of pain could indicate complications such as blood clots or inflammation of the veins (phlebitis). It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden, severe leg pain.

What to Expect

Varicose Veins

The National Library of Medicine stated 20% of all adults will get varicose veins at some point in their lives.

Approximately 23% of US adults have varicose veins according to AHA Journals.

40 million people in the US have been diagnosed with varicose veins before, about 12.5% of the country’s population.

Spider Veins

More than 40% of women have a vein condition, which includes spider veins according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Medical News Today claims 41% of females aged 50 and over have spider veins.

Schedule Treatment for Vein Disease Symptoms

If you’re experiencing symptoms of vein disease, it’s crucial to seek timely treatment. Vein disease often causes discomfort, pain and complications. Schedule a consultation and we’ll design a treatment plan. Alleviate discomfort, improve circulation and prevent further complications with treatment from MequonVein.

Where do I start! For starters the staff is incredible !! They really are. I have been suffering from a variety of leg pains for years. The doctor and staff advised me during my initial consultation that my symptoms were because of varicose veins. I was shocked because I only had a few visible veins. I didn’t know what the problem was but I did not expect the answers they gave me. The staff is very dedicated and friendly and unbelievably conscientious of my needs for a solution to my leg pains. I listened intently and after my second consultation I was convinced that Mequon Vein would be the solution to my leg pains. After my two initial treatments I noticed that I was already on the road to less pain and the ability to sit in my car or on hard bleachers for longer durations. By the end of the first month I was virtually free of all pain in my legs. I had a total of six treatments and now I am symptom free. I only wish I had gone into Mequon Vein years earlier.
Darren K

Our Office Locations

Mequon Vein has provided varicose vein treatment in the greater-Milwaukee area and beyond since 2004. We welcome patients from all over Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and beyond. Stop by one of our two locations:

Brookfield

facebook
VIEW BROOKFIELD HOURS

Monday: 7:30am-4:00pm

Tuesday: 7:30am-4:00pm

Wednesday: Closed

Thursday: Closed

Friday: Closed

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

VIEW BROOKFIELD HOURS

Monday: 7:30am-7:00pm

Tuesday: 7:30am-4:00pm

Wednesday: 7:30-4:00pm

Thursday: 7:30am-7:00pm

Friday: 7:30am-4:00pm

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

17280 West North Ave
Suite 200
Brookfield WI, 53045-4366

Germantown

facebook
VIEW GERMANTOWN HOURS
VIEW GERMANTOWN HOURS

Monday: 7:30am-7:00pm

Tuesday: 7:30am-4:00pm

Wednesday: 7:30-4:00pm

Thursday: 7:30am-7:00pm

Friday: 7:30am-4:00pm

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

W189 N11100 Kleinmann Dr
Suite 105
Germantown, WI 53022

Mequon Vein Service Areas

Mequon Vein is a vein treatment center servicing Brookfield, Delafield, Germantown, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Milwaukee, New Berlin, Oconomowoc, Sheboygan, Thiensville, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, and the surrounding communities in Southeast Wisconsin. If you need vein treatment, contact our physicians today for a free consultation.

Our offices are proudly No Surprises Act compliant