Varicose Veins occur when the valves inside your veins stop working. To prevent your blood from flowing backward in your veins there is a valve. This valve closes after the blood passes through. When the valve weakens or becomes damaged, the blood will not flow in the right direction. This can cause a bulge in the vein that branches out, causing stages of vein diseases. 

Stage One: Spider Veins

Spider Veins are blue, red, or purple. They look like thin lines, branches, or webs. Spider Veins are more common in women than men, and are not typically harmful. 

You do not need to treat these, but you can for cosmetic reasons. It is always good to get a consultation to see if it is just spider veins, or something more!

Stage Two- Varicose Veins

Varicose Veins are deeper and bigger than spider veins. They appear lumpy and twisted with some physical discomfort. This discomfort can be itching, burning, numbness, or heaviness in the veins. 

Varicose Veins should be treated, you can get a vein ablation or a microphlebectomy here at Blue Rock Medical!

Stage Three- Edema

Stage three your legs and ankles swell. It swells more after long periods of sitting or standing! Your circulatory system cannot reabsorb fluid as well. When you sit for long periods the blood has built up in your legs, making it difficult to reabsorb the fluid. 

Some symptoms include: Pain when walking, numbness, tightness in ankles, muscle spasms, itchy skin, etc.

Stage Four- Discoloration and Skin Changes

As you start swelling in stage three, your skin changes. In stage four your skin becomes thinner, this can create brown discoloration, red color, flaky, leathery texture, or itchy. Your skin becomes more sensitive to injury and bruising with all of these changes. 

After changes happen you then move to stage five- Ulcers.

Stage Five- Ulcers or Sores

With the change in skin you start forming ulcers and sores. These are painful, itchy, and tend to heal slowly or not at all. 

If you have pain in the legs and ankles, skin changes, leaking veins, limited mobility, or sores you will need medical intervention to help.

Varicose Veins Screening

Here at Blue Rock Medical you can get a free vein screening! Our sonographer will check your veins using an ultrasound machine. We want to make sure we are on the same page as you to help with your veins. Call us today to set up your appointment.

https://www.hamiltonvein.com/vein-disease-stages-when-to-act/

Sun City Vein Doctors Explain the Stages of Vein Disease, and Why You Want To Seek Early Treatment