Alsara Vein Clinic has helped many patients achieve relief from Edema.
Edema (swelling) of the calf, ankle, foot, or leg is a common symptom of varicose veins that allows blood to flow backward and pool in the legs. Over time, some blood and other fluids can leak out of the vein into the surrounding tissue causing Edema (swelling). Edema Specialist and Vein Specialist Dr. Sam Gupta can help diagnose and treat Edema (swelling). Dr. Gupta is certified by the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine.
At Alsara Vein Clinic, we treat vein problems all day, every day.
Leg, calf, foot, or ankle swelling (Edema) is a common sign of varicose veins.
The normal flow of blood in leg veins is against the force of gravity; from the foot to the thigh and then up towards the heart. When veins are stretched and enlarged (become varicose), they are too weak to overcome the force of gravity causing the blood to flow backward and pool in the legs. As the pooling continues throughout the day, the pressure inside the vein walls continues to increase. Eventually, some blood and other fluids can leak out of the vein into the surrounding tissue.
The pooling of blood, increased pressure and subsequent “leakage” causes swelling in the ankles and feet as gravity pulls the fluid down. As leakage continues, swelling can also be noted in the lower calf region and extend to the knee or even the thighs.
Swelling is more noticeable at the end of the day, especially if you have spent much of it sitting or standing still. When you elevate your legs, for example when you are sleeping, gravity is no longer a force working against the flow of the blood in your leg veins hence swelling is reduced. However, when you sit or stand, the swelling recurs. Other factors that can contribute to increased swelling include lifting or straining, pregnancy, heat (such as hot baths or sauna), and hormonal changes (that further relax and stretch the weak veins).
During the initial stages of edema, graduated compression stockings may be enough to diminish the tendency of the veins to stretch and control edema. Over time, patients may notice increasing leg fatigue, swelling, thinning of the skin, and discoloration of the overlying skin. Complications such as painful blood clots in the vein, bleeding from veins close to the skin surface, and nonhealing leg sores may develop. Many patients may also notice unsightly spider and varicose veins (Corona Phlebectatica).
Because of the potentially serious and long-term complications of varicose veins, proper treatment is important, and the best results are obtained before complications have already developed. A Vein Specialist can use a Duplex Ultrasound to check “leaky” varicose veins and treatment options.
Swelling in the legs can be a sign of poorly functioning veins in the legs. When veins fail, blood that normally flows upwards toward the heart is pulled by gravity to pool inside the legs. The backflow, called venous reflux, strains the vein walls and blood plasma leaks out into the surrounding space in the legs leading to swelling in the feet, ankles, and calves. Leg swelling and associated skin changes are termed chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
Modern treatment options available for the treatment of the diseased veins are safe, effective, and require no downtime. Almost all insurance companies offer coverage for the treatment of symptomatic vein problems.
Edema is primarily noted at the end of the day that improves with leg elevation. Left untreated, the accumulation of fluid inside the legs overwhelms the lymphatic system which works as a safety valve to move excess fluid out of the legs and becomes phlebolymphedema. Fluid accumulation in the leg is a combination of plasma and protein-rich fluid that triggers an inflammatory reaction and fibrosis (hardening of the skin and soft tissue) which is irreversible. Treatment of lymphedema is limited to manual compression therapy and lifelong use of compression garments.
During the initial stages of varicose veins, patients usually have mild symptoms, which are experienced more toward the end of the day. The onset of symptoms is often very subtle, so much so that many people forget how their legs felt before they had problems. As the condition worsens, symptoms become more noticeable.
The initial signs and symptoms may include:
Aching
Burning or numbness
Cramping or 'Charley horse'
Heaviness
Itching
Leg pain
Restlessness in legs
Tiredness
Swelling in feet ankles and calves
Left untreated, may result in skin discoloration, bleeding veins, sores that heal poorly, and blood clots.
Over time, the symptoms will worsen and could result in skin discoloration, sores, blood clots, frequent skin infections, and bleeding.
It might be surprising to learn that restless leg syndrome, leg cramps, swollen ankles, ulcers, varicose veins, and spider veins could all be symptoms of vein disease. We've helped thousands achieve relief with in-office treatments.
Schedule your Consultation today with Alsara Vein Clinic.
I was recommended to come here by my physician. I’ve had some problems with my legs and I decided to come here [Alsara Vein Clinic] and see if I could get helped. I’m disabled now. I’ve had a liver transplant 12 years ago. I was having some problems with my legs swelling and discoloration and things. And I have diabetic neuropathy. And it really got down to the point where my legs just couldn’t take the pain anymore.
Well, each year it’s gotten worse and worse, and I just get down to the point where I have to sleep in a recliner, and then I prop my legs up even higher than that, trying to get the swelling down. And I was having an awful time, you know, sleeping in the recliner.
And, so, I decided to come here and see if he [Dr. Gupta] could take some of the pain away, you know. I know he can’t get rid of everything, ‘cause it, you know, it’s just not going to happen. I know that. But anything is better than nothing! That’s the way I looked at it.
And he did an awesome job, I believe, you know, and that’s all that really matters.
They really made me feel welcome. They explained everything: why they were doing it; how come; and this and that; and what they were doing. And it really made me feel comfortable, you know, to see that and understand it. And that [means] a lot to the person, you know.
My priorities [were]: get rid of some of the pain that I had, and being able to tolerate it, you know. I’ve lived in pain all my life and I’m tired of it, you know. I mean, a person can only deal with so much. But ah, no, that’s probably about the highlight – the results.
You know, I was more than impressed. Well, I mean it’s just a 100% change around. When I first came here, you know, my legs really hurt bad. And [Dr. Gupta] explained what he was gonna do, and if he couldn’t make any results, he wasn’t gonna do anything, and I understand that. But he felt that he could ease some pain to me, and he did. And now, each and every day gets better.
I hadn’t played pool in 15 years. And now, I’m able to go play pool for a couple of hours a day. And, to me, that’s quite a bit, you know, ‘cause I enjoy that. Yup. Yeah, it really is awesome, trust me! You ain’t [got] nothing to do all day – and now, you got something to do now, you know.
So I would definitely recommend people – if they have [leg] problems – to come here. And if the doctor can’t help you, he won’t; and if can, he will! And to me, he’s awesome. He’s helped me tremendously. Yeah.
Alsara Vein Clinic has helped many patients achieve relief from Edema.
The pooling of blood, increased pressure and subsequent “leakage” causes swelling in the ankles and feet as gravity pulls the fluid down. As leakage continues, swelling can also be noted in the lower calf region and extend to the knee or even the thighs.
During the initial stages of edema, graduated compression stockings may be enough to diminish the tendency of the veins to stretch and control edema. Over time, patients may notice increasing leg fatigue, swelling, thinning of the skin, and discoloration of the overlying skin. Complications such as painful blood clots in the vein, bleeding from veins close to the skin surface, and nonhealing leg sores may develop. Many patients may also notice unsightly spider and varicose veins (Corona Phlebectatica).
I was recommended to come here by my physician. I’ve had some problems with my legs and I decided to come here [Alsara Vein Clinic] and see if I could get helped. I’m disabled now. I’ve had a liver transplant 12 years ago. I was having some problems with my legs swelling and discoloration and things. And I have diabetic neuropathy. And it really got down to the point where my legs just couldn’t take the pain anymore.