Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Often, the first sign of trouble is a vein which is visible on your leg. However, bear in mind that it is normal to be able to see veins through your skin and that this does not always mean that you have a varicose vein.

At its earliest stages, varicose veins may not give rise to any symptoms whatsoever. If these do occur, they take the form of a sensation of heaviness or tiredness, followed by aching in the legs.

Other signs and symptoms of varicose veins include:

• Painful, aching legs
• Throbbing or cramping in your legs especially at night
• Swelling of your ankles and feet
• Heavy legs
• Tiredness in the legs
• Visible ‘snake-like’ veins

Complications of varicose veins

This occurs in only a small number of cases and the majority of people with varicose veins will not develop complications.

Complications occur because of increased pressure within the varicosed vein. This leads to damage of the smaller blood vessels as well as the surrounding tissue and:

• Inflammation of the vein. This is known as phlebitis.
• Swelling of the lower leg.
• Skin changes such as discolouration, eczema.
• Skin ulcers or the development of other open wounds.

If you notice any of these, you should seek the advice of a doctor.

Treatment options

There are a number of conventional ways of treating varicose veins including the use of support socks, stockings or tights, injections and surgery.

From the viewpoint of Complementary Medicine, treatment options include homoeopathic remedies as well as herbal remedies such as Venaforce Horse Chestnut tablets.

Each treatment option has its merits. A doctor, pharmacist, herbalist or other healthcare professional may be able to give you advice on which suits you best.

In addition, don’t forget that you can find a number of ways of helping yourself with changes in lifestyle – read about these in Tips for Healthy Legs.

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