.svg)
What symptoms do varicose veins cause?
Venous insufficiency keeps progressing if left untreated and causes further symptoms over time, from heavy legs and spider veins to painful leg ulcers. What to watch for.
- Varicose veins come from chronic venous insufficiency (faulty valves).
- Early on there may be no symptom, or heavy legs, swollen feet and dry skin.
- Spider veins are not varicose veins but can signal an underlying problem.
- Untreated, the disease progresses and can lead to leg ulcers.
- Caught early, a varicose vein can be treated without surgery.
Varicose veins are veins caused by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). These protruding, winding veins appear when the valves inside them stop working. Healthy veins use inner valves to push blood against gravity from the legs toward the heart. When the valves no longer close fully, part of the blood flows back into the legs, pools there and raises the pressure in the veins. So what symptoms does this cause?
The first symptoms of varicose veins
Especially in the early stage, many patients notice nothing at all. Still, the affected veins can simply look unsightly, and the patient may feel heavy legs, swollen feet, spider veins and dry or itchy skin. These can be the first heralds of venous insufficiency.
Caught early, a varicose vein can be treated without surgery: echotherapy closes it without an incision.
Spider veins: do I have venous insufficiency?
Spider veins, sometimes called thread veins, usually appear on the legs or the face. They are only tiny blood vessels in the most superficial layer of the skin, the dermis. When these vessels widen, they become visible as small red lines and quickly turn into an aesthetic nuisance. Spider veins are not varicose veins by definition, but they can be a first sign of an underlying venous insufficiency.
Late symptoms and risks of varicose veins
Venous insufficiency is a disease that keeps progressing if left untreated. Over time it usually spreads to other veins and causes further symptoms. When pain and discomfort increase, treatment can rarely be avoided any longer. In particular, when the skin over the diseased veins is irritated and the first open wounds appear, it is time to act. Late symptoms can seriously affect quality of life and lead to restless sleep.
One of the most severe complications of varicose veins is a venous leg ulcer. An ulcer is a chronic wound that no longer heals on its own and, even with good medical care, often takes several weeks to close. It is also called an open leg. Because of venous reflux, the pressure in the veins stays high, and over time this constant pressure damages the skin until it breaks open. Leg ulcers need immediate treatment, as they are very serious.
Wondering whether echotherapy is available near you? A growing network of centers is already equipped with SONOVEIN.
Questions fréquentes
What are the first symptoms of varicose veins?
Often none early on, then heavy legs, swollen feet, spider veins and dry or itchy skin.
Are spider veins the same as varicose veins?
No, but they can be a first sign of an underlying venous insufficiency.
What happens if varicose veins are left untreated?
The disease progresses, spreads to other veins and can lead to serious complications like leg ulcers.
What is a venous leg ulcer?
A chronic, slow-healing wound (an open leg) caused by the constant high pressure of venous reflux damaging the skin.
Can varicose veins be treated early?
Yes, and without surgery: echotherapy closes the vein with ultrasound, without an incision.