What are varicose veins? Know its causes, symptoms, and treatment

Dr.Amrish Kumar, 3 mins read

Varicose veins can be described as swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins. They often look blue or purple. Varicose veins develop when blood flows in an undirected direction or pools in damaged or faulty valves.

Varicose veins are believed to affect more than 23% of adults. Varicose veins affect approximately 1 in 4 persons. Varicose veins are also called varicosities. They occur when your veins become enlarged and dilated. Varicose veins are usually swollen and raised and can appear bluish-purple or red. They can be painful.

Understanding Varicose Veins:

Varicose veins can be described as twisted, enlarged veins. Varicose veins can develop from any vein close to the skin's top (superficial). Walking and standing can increase pressure in the lower body's veins.

Varicose and spider veins are cosmetic issues for many. Varicose veins can also cause discomfort and aching.

The treatment may involve self-care or procedures performed by a healthcare provider to close or eliminate veins.

Varicose veins: Causes:

Varicose veins develop when the veins stop functioning properly. One-way valves in veins prevent blood from flowing backward. These valves can fail, and blood starts to pool in your veins instead of flowing toward your heart. These veins will then grow. Varicose veins can often be found in the legs. These veins are located farthest away from your heart.

Varicose veins could be caused by:

• Menopause
• Pregnancy
• Standing for prolonged periods.
• Age over 50
• Varicose veins in the family
• Obesity

Varicose veins symptoms:

Varicose veins can be seen on the legs and are usually very visible. The enlarged veins may cause pain, swelling, heaviness, and achiness. Sometimes, swelling and discoloration can occur. In extreme cases, veins may bleed severely, and ulcers may form. Varicose veins are most easily identified by a blue or purple vein located below your skin's surface. These are the symptoms:

• You may experience heavy legs, particularly after exercise.
• Bulging veins are usually blue or purple and appear as twisted, swollen, rope-like vessels. They are located just beneath the skin's surface on the legs, ankles, and feet. They may form in groups. They may also appear as tiny red- or blue-colored lines.
• Pain: You may feel sore or aching, especially around your knees. Muscle cramps could be a possibility.
• Itching: Varicose veins can cause itching.
• Varicose veins can lead to skin discoloration and ulcers. Venous ulcers (or sores) can result from severe varicose veins.
• A minor injury to an area may cause bleeding longer than normal.
• A feeling of heavy legs after exercise or while sleeping,
• swollen ankles
• Swelling: The swelling of your legs, ankles, and feet can cause swelling and throbbing.
• Shiny skin discoloration around the varicose veins
• Atrophy Blanche is an irregular white patch that looks like scars at the ankles.
• Restless legs syndrome

Varicose veins prevention:

Varicose veins can be prevented. Living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the likelihood of developing varicose veins. Many of the same steps are recommended by healthcare providers to treat and prevent varicose veins.

• Keep your weight under control: Losing excess weight can reduce blood pressure.
• Elevate your legs. It will increase blood flow to your heart.
• Keep active: Move often and don't sit still for long periods to improve circulation.
• Avoid standing for long periods. You should take frequent breaks to move around and stretch to increase blood flow, especially if your job requires you to be on your feet.
• Stop smoking: Smoking can damage blood vessels, reduce blood flow, and cause various health problems.
• Make sure you wear clothes that fit correctly.
• Compression stockings are a good option: Support socks or pantyhose can compress your veins to help blood flow and prevent varicose from getting worse.

Varicose veins Treatment:

Treatment may not be necessary if the person does not experience any symptoms or discomfort and doesn't mind the sight of varicose veins. Varicose veins are usually manageable with home remedies like compression stockings.

If symptoms don't improve, the patient may need medical treatment. It relieves pain and discomfort and treats complications like leg ulcers, skin discoloration, or swelling.

Individuals may also seek treatment for cosmetic reasons.

Sclerotherapy:

A doctor injects a chemical into small and medium-sized varicose veins. It closes the wound and scares them. They should begin to fade within a few weeks. Sometimes a vein might need to be injected multiple times.

Surgery

Varicose veins that are too large may need to be surgically removed. The procedure is generally done with a general anesthetic. If surgery is needed on both legs, the patient may have to stay one night at the hospital.

Smaller veins can be closed with laser treatments. The vein is then gradually faded and disappears by strong light bursts.

Endovenous laser treatment:

The doctor places a catheter in the vein of the patient. The doctor then inserts a catheter into the patient's vein.

The doctor uses an ultrasound scan to guide the threading of the laser up the vein. It will gradually burn and seal the entire thing. Local anesthesia is used to perform this procedure. It is possible to sustain a nerve injury.

Radiofrequency ablation:

An ultrasound scan is used to help a doctor make a small incision above or below the knee. The doctor then inserts a catheter or narrow tube into the vein.

The doctor inserts a probe through the catheter and emits radiofrequency electricity. Radiofrequency energy heats the vein, which causes its walls to collapse. It effectively closes it. It is a preferred procedure for larger varicose vessels.

Radiofrequency ablation can be done using a local anesthetic.

Ligation and stripping:

Two incisions will be made. One near the patient's groin at the top of the target vein and one further down the leg at the ankle or knee. The vein's top is sealed and tied. The vein is then taken with it by a thin, flexible wire.

This procedure usually does not require hospitalization. Sometimes, ligation or stripping can cause bleeding, bruising, and even pain. Deep vein thrombosis, which is when blood clots in the leg vein, can occur in very rare cases.

Most patients will feel better within days of surgery. However, some people may take a few weeks to return to work or other duties. They will require compression stockings during recovery.

Conclusion:

Varicose veins tend to get worse with time. Even if you make lifestyle changes to manage them and manage your pain, this is a fact. They are often not visible and don't usually cause long-term health problems.

Varicose veins may cause ulcers, sores, blood clots in your legs, or chronic inflammation. Your veins may rupture if you have severe cases.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor immediately. The doctor may suggest a more aggressive approach such as surgery or other interventions.

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