(866) 552-4866 Maureen* admits that she initially shrugged off the phenomenon when she began noticing a few faint blue lines trailing across her legs and thighs while lying by the pool one weekend. In a few spots, those single lines were intersecting with larger, twisted leg veins. Each time her husband or friends mentioned them, she insisted they were nothing serious. "My mom had them … you even have a few, too. Everyone says they are harmless." Her friends were not convinced, so Maureen did a quick online search to corroborate her point. There on her screen for all to see were a handful of blog posts and forum responses—all insisting leg veins were nothing more than a cosmetic issue.
But a year or so later, Maureen was singing a different tune. Her legs felt sluggish and swollen. They were also constantly aching. That's when she visited her doctor and realized that, while more than 40 million Americans have some combination of spider veins and varicose veins, not everything she hears or reads about them being harmless is accurate. In fact, painful leg veins are often a sign of something worse lurking beneath the surface.
Stories like Maureen's are all too common. We live in an age where misinformation spreads fast, especially when considering how easily one can look up a symptom or condition online and draw their own conclusions, rather than scheduling an appointment with a healthcare professional. Doing this may give someone like Maureen instant peace of mind, but it can also delay real solutions. That is especially true with leg veins. Many people do not think about their leg veins until they begin to experience discomfort. And by then, they have a bigger problem on their hands.
At StrideCare, we believe it is essential for our patients to know the difference between facts and misinformation. In doing so, we empower more people to make informed decisions about their vascular health.
Are you experiencing problems with your leg veins? Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today to determine the best course of action for your unique situation.
Why Is It Important To Pay Attention to Leg Veins?
When we are young, we do not typically think about what our veins are doing beneath the surface. There is a good reason for this. After all, they are quietly doing their job, using a series of strong valves to ensure the traveling blood constantly flowing throughout our bodies does not flow back in the opposite direction. Veins have an intricate one-way system, and while this process is typically quiet, it requires a lot of work for our veins to maintain this consistency throughout our lives. As we age, it is not uncommon for our veins to struggle to operate at the same levels as they once did. As a result, strong valves begin to weaken, blood flow becomes more challenging, and, in some cases, that same blood begins to pool in areas it shouldn't—such as the legs and feet.
The next thing we know, our legs begin to show visible signs of vein damage. Smaller red and blue lines, known as spider veins, begin to appear. These can be harmless, but if left unchecked, they can become accompanied by twisted, bulging varicose veins. These veins may be painless at first. But for many people, that does not last long.
The pain and discomfort associated with leg veins runs the gamut, including the following symptoms:
- Painful varicose veins
- Skin changes and swelling
- A heavy feeling in the legs
- Itchy skin
- Leg ulcers
- Restless legs
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis)
- Lost leg hair
The good news is that leg veins can be treated if you seek help sooner rather than later. This is true regardless of whether you are doing it because you are simply tired of the way your legs look or because you want relief from one or several of the uncomfortable and debilitating symptoms mentioned above.
When in doubt about what you have read or heard, consult StrideCare first.
These 9 Myths About Leg Veins Aren't True
Leg Veins Myth #1: They are nothing more than a cosmetic annoyance
Varicose veins affect roughly 25% of men and women in the United States. Many of them will insist that they are almost always painless. The keyword here is "almost." While varicose veins can be a purely cosmetic annoyance with no underlying condition, that is not the case for everyone. Even painless varicose veins can be a precursor to a more life-threatening health condition and can become increasingly uncomfortable over time.
Leg Veins Myth #2: Wear compression stockings, and your problems are solved
Our team of vascular surgeons at StrideCare will usually recommend compression stockings as a first step to patients experiencing chronic pain due to leg veins. However, it is typically viewed as a symptom reliever—a conservative approach to temporarily manage pain associated with swelling, poor circulation, and other symptoms as well as sometimes an insurance requirement. This is especially true if you work a lot of long shifts on your feet or are on long plane flights. It is NOT a cure-all and will not correct or reverse the damaged veins or underlying venous insufficiency.
Leg Veins Myth #3: Leg veins are a woman's issue only
Fact check: 11 million men between the ages of 40 and 80 are susceptible to varicose veins. Also, men are reportedly more likely to develop chronic vein disease because they typically don't seek treatment right away. So, this idea that leg vein issues, such as varicose veins and spider veins, are a woman's disease is flat-out false.
Leg Veins Myth #4: Crossing your legs causes varicose veins
Crossing your legs or wearing tight shoes or clothes can certainly exacerbate existing painful leg veins due to their restrictive nature and ability to limit blood flow in the lower extremities quickly. This is why we are constantly advising our vein disease patients to wear loose, comfortable clothing whenever possible and avoid restrictive seated positions. That said, they do not cause varicose veins. Your leg veins problem is more likely due to defective valves in your veins or weakened vein walls that are continually stressed to the max.
Leg Veins Myth #5: Pregnancy causes leg veins, especially varicose veins
To piggyback on the previous myth, varicose veins certainly display a higher prevalence in pregnant women. But the mere fact that you are pregnant does not cause leg veins to go haywire. In other words, pregnancy can make existing veins worse but doesn't actually cause them. Furthermore, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute states that leg veins that become noticeable during pregnancy usually fade post-delivery.
You do not have to suffer with uncomfortable legs due to leg vein disease. Schedule a consultation with a StrideCare vascular specialist today. Our collaborative approach ensures that you receive the care you need.
Leg Veins Myth #6: Treatment for leg veins doesn't matter because they'll just come back
This misconception may have been true in the past. Thankfully, technology enables us to access innovative treatment options like never before. As a result, we can help people get back on their feet quickly, and recurrence rates are extremely low. Not to mention, treatments such as sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation are typically same-day procedures with little to no downtime.
Leg Veins Myth #7: Vein disease is only an older adult problem
While age is a risk factor, it is not the only one. Genetics, pregnancy, weight gain, prolonged standing or sitting, hormonal shifts, and even physical activity levels all play a role. As a result, many people in their 20s and 30s develop spider or varicose veins—and early intervention can prevent them from progressing.
Leg Veins Myth #8: Insurance will not cover leg veins treatment
While we cannot speak to every healthcare provider who treats leg veins, most treatments at StrideCare are typically covered by major health insurance plans. Each insurance plan differs, too, but our expert team will help you identify your benefits and will also file your insurance claim for you. StrideCare is affiliated with most insurance plans and Medicare plans. We are always working to meet your healthcare and health plan needs.
Leg Veins Myth #9: Ulcers in the legs only need wound care
Leg ulcer treatment involves wound care professionals, whose primary goal is to treat the wound itself. However, many people do not realize that treating the underlying vein disease is very important. Advanced vascular procedures can enhance ulcer healing rates and reduce the likelihood of future ulcer recurrence.
Featured in this video is StrideCare's expert Interventional Radiologist, Dr. Osama Abdul-Rahim, M.D., discussing the minimally invasive treatment Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). RFA is a minimally invasive treatment for patients who are suffering from chronic venous insufficiencies (CVI) with or without varicose veins. This procedure involves using a small catheter to close the veins using radiofrequency waves. This results in the relief of symptoms caused by varicose veins, including heaviness, aching, swelling, itching, tingling, burning, restlessness, skin discoloration, skin ulcers, and leg pain.
StrideCare Wants To Help Resolve Problems With Your Leg Veins
Problems with your leg veins, whether they are cosmetic or a daily pain, do not cure themselves, and there is no way to prevent them completely. This is why it is important to avoid falling victim to misinformation online and seek counsel from a qualified vascular surgeon. StrideCare has long been a leader in performing leading-edge procedures to treat vein disease—all the while providing compassionate patient care.
Our mission is to surround ourselves with the best in this field so that our patients are never short of options for reclaiming their lives. StrideCare's expertise is in multi-specialty care for treating lower-extremity vascular and podiatric conditions. That includes our ability to perform leading-edge procedures to treat artery and vein disease and symptoms that, while minor in their earliest stages, can eventually lead to more serious and life-interrupting issues. The specialists at StrideCare will recommend a personalized plan to help you achieve the best results.
Please contact us at 866-552-4866 or complete the appointment form to schedule a consultation.
StrideCare serves North Texas and South Texas communities, including Austin, Carrollton, Celina, Clear Lake, Craig Ranch, Dallas, Euless, Flower Mound, Forney, Fort Worth, Frisco, Garland, Houston, Irving, Katy, Kaufman, Mansfield, McKinney, Mesquite, Midland, North Dallas, Odessa, Paris, Pecos, Plano, Prosper, Rockwall, Round Rock, Rowlett, Royce City, San Antonio, Sherman, South Dallas, Southlake, Stone Oak, Sugar Land, Sulphur Springs, The Woodlands, Waxahachie, Webster, Addison, Allen, Anna, Arlington, and more.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.