If swelling, heaviness and fatigue in the legs appear at the end of a busy working day, it is wrong to dismiss them as ordinary tiredness. These signs may point to heart failure, many kidney diseases or lymphatic system disorders, and they can also be a sign of varicose veins. So how do we tell these conditions apart?
To distinguish varicose veins from these conditions, we need to pay special attention to a few signs.
Varicose veins of the legs are characterized by swelling that appears in the afternoon. The swelling may affect one or both legs. Swelling from varicose veins often develops below the knee, especially around the ankle. During the examination, other symptoms of varicose veins, such as bluish discoloration visible on the skin, should also be identified.
Fatigue and heaviness in the legs can also occur in various musculoskeletal diseases and in impaired lymphatic drainage. The main difference with varicose veins is that the swelling and fatigue decrease significantly when lying down.
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.