Signs and Symptoms of Diseases of the Veins

Medically reviewed by Lindy McHutchison, MD, on September 11, 2025

Your legs tell a story long before you mention your leg discomfort to anyone. The heaviness after a long day, the swelling around your ankles, and the restless nights of aching or cramping—these are signals that your veins may be problematic. 

Vein problems, such as varicose veins, spider veins, and venous insufficiency, affect millions of people. In fact, according to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), an estimated ten to 35 percent of adults in the US have chronic venous insufficiency, with 4 percent of adults aged 65 years or older developing venous ulcers. 

Yet, many don’t realize that their daily discomfort is part of a more profound condition called venous disease.

Knowing how to spot the signs early can mean the difference between simple treatment and years of worsening pain. To learn more, we consulted with Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) vein expert Dr. Lindy McHutchison. She is the lead physician at Center for Vein Restoration’s vein clinic in Durham, North Carolina.

✅To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lindy McHutchison in Durham, North Carolina, CLICK HERE.

✅Don’t live near Durham, North Carolina? Call 240-965-3915 to speak to a helpful Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at one of 120+ CVR vein clinics near you.

Veins Under Pressure: What’s Happening Beneath the Surface

Leg veins have small, delicate, one-way flow valves designed to keep blood moving upward, against gravity, to return the blood in leg veins back to your heart. When those valves weaken or fail, blood doesn’t flow the way it should. Instead, it flows downhill, or backward, and pools in the leg veins. This pooling causes extra pressure, which stretches the vein walls, leading to the typical symptoms of tired, achy, heavy, tender, crampy, and restless legs. Additionally, it creates visible varicose veins, spider veins, and skin changes. However, most varicose veins are under the skin and aren’t visible. Doctors refer to this process as chronic venous insufficiency. 

Early Vein Clues You Shouldn’t Ignore

Your body rarely stays quiet when something is wrong. Venous disease announces itself with signs that may seem subtle at first:

• Spider veins: Thin, web-like networks of red or blue lines under your skin. They may look small, but they can signal deeper issues.
• Leg pain and heaviness: A dragging, tired feeling in your calves or thighs that gets worse after standing or sitting for hours.
• Swelling: Ankles that puff up by the end of the day or shoes that suddenly feel too tight.

These early symptoms are your body’s way of whispering that your circulation needs help. Ignoring them gives vein problems room to grow louder!

At Center for Vein Restoration, vein health is all we do. With more than 120 vein centers nationwide and over 80 board-certified vein doctors, CVR brings unmatched experience in diagnosing and treating vein disease. Our board-certified vein specialists combine advanced, outpatient, minimally invasive treatments with compassionate, personalized care to help you find relief and protect your long-term leg health.

Find out for yourself how CVR’s nationally recognized vein specialists make healthy legs possible.

📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-965-3915 
📅 Or book online HERE

When the Leg Discomfort Whispers Become Shouts

As venous insufficiency progresses, the signs become harder to overlook:

• Varicose veins: Bulging, twisted veins you can see and feel just under the skin. They often throb, burn, or cramp.
• Skin changes: Brownish discoloration, itching, or leathery patches near the ankles. This occurs due to inflammation from venous insufficiency, where blood pools and leaks into surrounding tissues.
• Restless legs and night cramps: A deep ache that wakes you from sleep or leaves you tossing with discomfort.
• Venous ulcers: A complication of untreated varicose veins, these open wounds around the ankles heal slowly, if at all, without vein treatments. At this stage, vein disease isn’t just cosmetic; it directly impacts your comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life. 

What Causes Varicose Veins and Vein Disease?

No one asks for bad veins, but several factors can raise the risk, according to the Mayo Clinic:

• Family history – If your parents or grandparents had varicose veins, you’re more likely to develop them too.
• Age – Valves wear down over time.
• Pregnancy – Extra blood volume and hormone shifts strain the veins.
• Weight – Extra pounds mean extra pressure.
• Occupation – Jobs that demand long periods of standing or sitting slow circulation.

The takeaway is clear: most people don’t realize they have varicose veins, because most unhealthy veins are under the skin and can only be seen with an ultrasound machine. The increased pressure inside your veins can damage the tiny valves that keep blood flowing upward. Once those valves weaken, vein disease doesn’t just stop—it tends to worsen over time. 

Catching the signs early and seeking treatment isn’t just about comfort or appearance; it’s about protecting your circulation, preventing complications, and maintaining your leg health for the long term.

That’s where Center for Vein Restoration comes in. 👉 Book your consultation with a CVR vein specialist today and discover how simple relief can be.

Is Vein Disease Treatable?

Yes—and often more efficiently and relatively easily than people expect.

• Self-care: Elevating your legs, exercising regularly, and wearing compression stockings can relieve discomfort and slow disease progression.
• Minimally invasive vein treatment: Procedures such as sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, and microphlebectomy close or remove diseased veins. These treatments are performed in-office, take less than an hour, and require little to no downtime.

These modern treatments not only improve the way your legs feel, but the vein treatments also restore healthier circulation and help prevent complications.

Why Experience Matters in Vein Care

At Center for Vein Restoration, vein health is all we do. With more than 120 locations nationwide and a team of over 80 board-certified vein doctors, CVR boasts unmatched experience in treating every stage of vein disease. Our vein specialists utilize the latest technologies and minimally invasive techniques to help patients find relief—while keeping them awake, comfortable, and able to return to their daily lives right away.

Find out for yourself how CVR’s nationally recognized expertise can give your legs a second chance at strength and comfort.

👉 Book your consultation with a CVR vein specialist today and discover how simple relief can be.

When to See a Vein Expert

The answer is simple: If you notice…

• Veins bulging under your skin
• Swelling that doesn’t go away
• Aching, throbbing, cramping, restlessness, or burning in your legs
• Skin on lower legs that itches, thickens, or changes color

…then it’s time to see a qualified vein doctor. Why? Because these are not just cosmetic concerns, they’re signs of a medical condition that can progress and worsen if left untreated. A consultation with a vein specialist at a trusted vein center, such as the Center for Vein Restoration, can answer your questions, confirm a diagnosis, and create an individualized  treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

📍 Find a Center for Vein Restoration near you 

Take Action Against Vein Disease Today

Your legs carry you through life, but they can’t do  it alone if vein disease strikes. From subtle spider veins to painful leg ulcers, every symptom tells a story about what’s happening beneath the surface of the legs. The good news? Vein disease is treatable, and relief is closer than you think.

Center for Vein Restoration accepts a wide range of insurance providers, including Aetna, Amerigroup, Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, MultiPlan, Medicaid, Medicare, and others.

Don’t wait for your legs to shout. Listen to the whispers, take action, and reclaim your health and comfort with the help of a vein expert.