Diabetes And Vascular Disease – How Are They Related?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects around 11.6% of the American population. While it is typically known for affecting blood sugar levels, diabetes can also harm blood vessels throughout the body, including the veins. The latter are responsible for returning blood to the heart from the rest of the body. When veins are injured blood can pool in the legs and feet which may lead to problems such as spider veins, varicose veins and leg ulcers. So what do diabetes and vascular disease have in common? Let us explain …

How diabetes is linked to vein health

Individuals with diabetes face a heightened risk of vein disease. Elevated blood sugar levels can harm vein walls, increasing their tendency to leak and pool. Furthermore, diabetes frequently causes nerve damage, making it hard to detect pain in the feet and legs. This lack of sensation can delay treatment for foot ulcers, potentially leading to severe complications like amputation.

One of the most prevalent complications of diabetic vein disease is varicose veins. These enlarged twisted veins often appear on the legs and feet and are caused by blood pooling in the veins, damaging the vein walls, and making them weaker. Besides being unsightly and often painful, varicose veins can also place extra pressure on the body’s circulatory and immune systems.

It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of vein disease if you have diabetes. These include:

• Swelling and pain in the legs
• Spider veins
• Varicose veins
• Changes in the color or temperature of the skin on the feet and legs

If you notice any of these symptoms you should see your doctor as early diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins helps prevent serious complications.

What is vein disease exactly?

Vein disease is a type of vascular disease which develops when tiny one-way valves that prevent the blood from flowing backward start to malfunction, causing blood to collect or pool in the legs, ankles and feet. There are many reasons for the malfunction of the one-way valves, including genetics, inactivity, obesity, age, poor diet, smoking, and prolonged sessions of sitting or standing. This can eventually lead to painful and uncomfortable leg symptoms such as spider veins and varicose veins.

So now you have a better understanding of diabetes and vein disease, let’s move on to vascular disease.

What is vascular disease?

Vascular disease (an umbrella term for any condition affecting the circulatory system which includes the veins, arteries, and lymph vessels) is one of the more serious complications of diabetes. It’s caused by an excess of glucose circulating in the blood. Vascular disease includes:

• Varicose veins
• Nephropathy
• Diabetic macular edema (DME)
• Atherosclerosis
• PAD

Varicose veins

While diabetes isn’t a direct cause of varicose veins, it is a risk factor for their development. Varicose veins can result in painful symptoms like itching, swollen legs, cramping and fatigue. It can also put an individual at increased risk of venous ulcers and deep vein thrombosis.

Nephropathy

Nephropathy or diabetic kidney disease gradually develops over the years and affects approximately 30-50% of US adults with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic macular edema

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a condition associated with diabetic retinopathy that impacts the central part of the retina, resulting in macular swelling. Individuals with DME may experience symptoms such as persistent floating spots and blurred vision. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by alterations in the retinal blood vessels, which can lead to distorted vision and potentially, in extreme cases, blindness.

Atherosclerosis

This condition arises when an accumulation of a fatty substance known as plaque causes the arteries to narrow or harden slowing blood flow.

PAD

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) mostly affects the legs and feet and is caused by clogged arteries restricting the flow of blood from the heart. This can affect an individual’s quality of life by reducing their mobility and raising the risk of stroke and heart disease. It also increases the risk of losing a lower limb.

How to reduce your risks for diabetes and varicose veins

Several of the tips for managing diabetes are also beneficial for vein health. These include:

• Effective management of blood sugar levels. Here’s a handy blood sugar fact sheet to help.
• Eat a healthy diet and stick to regular meal times. Your diet should be low in calories and fat and rich in nutrients.
• Regular exercise most days of the week for at least 30 minutes will help with circulation and weight loss. Here’s one of our blogs explaining the importance of exercise when you’re diabetic.
• Research has shown that smoking elevates blood sugar levels and accelerates vascular disease in people with diabetes, so it’s in your best interests to consider quitting.
• Visit your healthcare provider for regular checks and screenings.

Detecting and treating vein disease early is the best practice for enhancing circulatory health. This approach can also help prevent future complications, particularly in diabetics.

Hopefully, this article has answered your question of “How are diabetes and vascular disease related?”

Vein Treatment At The Midwest Institute For Non-Surgical Therapy

If you’re suffering from vein disease, whether or not it’s caused by diabetes, we’re here to help. We have four locations in St Louis, MO, Evergreen Park, Chicago, and Swansea, IL, offering a range of minimally invasive outpatient treatments which include vein ablations, VenaSeal, Sclerotherapy and Phlebectomy. These treatments can relieve painful symptoms quickly and lower the risk of additional diabetic vein problems. Why not improve your quality of life with our non-surgical treatments that are typically completed in less than an hour?

Call us today or use our online booking service to learn which treatment is best for you.