The 6 Stages of Vein Disease – The Earlier the Treatment, The Better Your Results

The 6 Stages of Vein Disease – The Earlier the Treatment, The Better Your Results

This blog is for you if you have vein issues but have been putting off treatment.

We understand that it can be tempting to think that symptoms like edema, swelling in the legs, and aching pain will go away and that eventually, the veins will get better on their own. But speaking as an experienced Vein Specialist and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, I am here to tell you that it is highly unlikely that varicose or spider veins will heal on their own. Over time they gradually worsen in the majority of patients when left untreated.

The surface symptoms of vein disease, such as varicose veins, are the result of a deeper medical problem. If left untreated, the disease will continue to progress and worsen, eventually reaching a point where it will require treatment.

In this blog, I wanted to go over the various types of vein diseases that can cause these conditions, namely, chronic venous insufficiency, CVI, and varicose veins.

What is chronic venous insufficiency?

CVI is caused by damage to the tiny one-way valves inside the arteries of the leg that are designed to control the flow of blood in the veins. When these valves become leaky, blood can’t flow properly to the heart and instead ends up pooling and causing pressure in the veins.

This condition causes the veins to become enlarged and turn into spider veins or varicose veins. This is the first stage of CVI (Chronic Venous Insufficiency).

The Six Stages of CVI

Stage 1 – Spider Veins. These small, dark red or purple hue veins – visible on the legs, ankles, neck, face, and other areas – are not necessarily related to varicose veins, but they are caused by the same underlying CVI.

Stage 2 – Enlarged, ropy varicose veins. The first sign that one has a vein disease is when their swollen veins appear, which is often referred to as stage one. They can then be accompanied by pain and burning, as well as itching and numbness. It is the best time to treat these conditions.

Stage 3 – Edema (swelling) without skin changes. Swelling of the legs and ankles increases because CVI has impaired the circulatory system’s ability to reabsorb fluid. Elevation of the limbs may help but will not cure the disease or reduce the swelling much.

Stage 4– Skin changes and discoloration. Venous congestion and lacking circulation can lead to changes in skin color and texture. The skin on your legs can become reddish-brown or whiteish in color and take on a more leathery texture that leaves it brittle and prone to injury.

Stage 5 – Skin changes with healed ulceration. In this stage, injuries or scratches to the skin may heal with treatment but often leaves scarring.

Stage 6 – Skin changes with active ulceration. In this final stage of CVI, injuries to the skin and leg ulcers refuse to heal even with treatment and can leave your legs riddled with bleeding open sores.

If you are noticing signs somewhere in this scale your next question is likely -What can you do to prevent your varicose veins from getting worse?

It is important that you seek treatment as soon as possible. The easiest way to treat these conditions is through conservative approaches such as exercise, diet, and compression stockings. When these lifestyle changes aren’t enough, medical needs to intervene.

If the disease continues to progress to higher levels, it will need to be treated by The West Florida Vein Center in Safety Harbor, Florida covering the Tampa Bay area. This can be done through sclerotherapy, laser therapy, and radiofrequency ablation. It is important to realize that the sooner you seek consultation and treatment the better and easier it is to correct and give you the results you are looking for.

Varicose veins, spider veins, and vein disease are not cosmetic issues. They are generally covered by most insurance plans, so do not wait to seek treatment.

To learn more about the treatment options for your vein disease, give our team of experts a call at 727-712-3233 or visit us on the web to learn more about myself, Dr. Mark Zuzga, D.O., and my practice, The West Florida Vein Center. www.westfloridaveincenter.com.