At the Vein Clinic of Greater Kansas City, we see all kinds of vein issues. Some are minor and some are major. The sad thing is, many times the people with the major problems have suffered for years with the painful symptoms and they didn’t need to.
Patients Suffer Needlessly for Years
Because varicose veins don’t happen overnight, some patients simply get used to the pain and aggravation and it begins to feel normal. After years, they forget that they could and should be feeling a lot better every single day. They put up with it day in and day out until finally, they can’t take it anymore. That is no way to live. For most, nothing will happen right away if varicose veins are not treated; but the symptoms and veins will simply continue to get worse and worse.
What Happens When Varicose Veins Are Left Untreated?
If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to skin redness and pain over a clotted varicose vein, called superficial thrombophlebitis. They can also bleed severely, causing skin darkening and hardening, and in severe cases cause skin breakdown called venous ulcers (open wounds that won’t heal). Varicose veins can even have an increased association with DVT, or deep vein thrombosis, which can be deadly.
If You Have These Symptoms, You Can Be Treated
You don’t have to have the classic bulging or rippling veins under your skin to have varicose veins. Many people have symptoms without the bulging veins. If you have any of these symptoms, you could have varicose veins that just aren’t visible on the surface…yet. Here are the classic signs and symptoms of varicose veins:
- Bulging varicose veins or
- Smaller visible veins
- Dull aching and throbbing in the legs, worsening as the day goes on
- Swelling of the legs, ankles and/or feet, throughout the day (look for sock lines)
- Tired/heavy legs
- Itching of the legs
- Severe dry skin, often requiring excessive lotion
- Restless legs, trouble falling asleep because you can’t get your legs comfortable
- Severe cramps or Charley horses in the middle of the night
- Skin darkening and hardening or brownish spots over the shin
- Excessive bruising or bleeding from incidental bumps
- Scratches/cuts taking long amounts of time to heal
- Intermittent redness and swelling over varicose veins (thrombophlebitis)
- Skin breakdown (venous ulcers)
Here at the Vein Clinic of Greater Kansas City, we recommend if you are having symptoms that are worsening or causing trouble with daily activities that you seek help right away. Also, anybody with skin changes on the legs, bleeding or ulcers from varicose veins, or anyone having blood clots related to varicose veins should also seek the attention of medical professionals who specialize in vein treatments.
Don’t suffer any longer. At The Vein Clinic of Greater Kansas City, we offer a wide range of minimally invasive treatment options for varicose veins. Our caring and highly trained staff is here for you every step of the way, with the highest quality medical care and resources in a comfortable and friendly outpatient setting. We have Vein Clinic locations in Overland Park, KS, and Liberty, MO.