Definition

 

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins that you can see under the skin. Often they are red or blue in color. They usually appear in the legs, but can occur in other parts of the body.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors associated with Varicose Veins

 

Normally, one-way valves in your leg veins keep blood moving up toward the heart. When the valves do not work properly, blood backs up into the vein. The vein swells from the blood that collects there, which causes varicose veins. Smaller varicose veins you that can see on the surface of skin are called spider veins.

Varicose veins are common, and affect more women than men. They usually don't cause problems for most people. However, in some people, they can lead to serious conditions, such as leg swelling and pain, blood clots, and skin changes.

What are the symptons of Varicose Veins?

 

• Dull aching, heaviness, or cramping in legs

• Itching and tingling

• Pain that gets worse when standing

• Pain that gets better when legs are raised

• Swelling of the legs

• Redness of the legs and ankles

If your condition is severe, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:

 

• Laser therapy: Strong bursts of light are projected on smaller varicose veins, making them disappear.

• Sclerotherapy: Salt water or a chemical solution is injected into the vein. The vein hardens and disappears.

• Ablation: Heat is used to close off and destroy the vein. The vein disappears over time.

• Vein stripping: Small surgical cuts are made in the leg near the damaged vein. The vein is removed through one of the cuts.

• Valve repair: A small incision is made in the leg and the damaged valve is repaired.

• Bypass: This is surgery to reroute blood flow around the blocked vein. A tube or blood vessel taken from your body is used to make a detour around, or bypass, the damaged vein.

• Angioplasty and stenting: This is a procedure to open a narrowed or blocked vein. Angioplasty uses a tiny medical balloon to widen the blocked vein. The balloon presses against the inside wall of the vein to open it and improve blood flow. A tiny metal mesh tube called a stent is then placed inside the vein to prevent it from narrowing again.

Varicose Veins Treatment Options

 

Your doctor may suggest that you take the following self-care steps to help manage varicose veins:

• Wear compression stockings to decrease swelling. They gently squeeze your legs to move blood up your legs.

• Do not sit or stand for long periods. Even moving your legs slightly helps keep the blood flowing.

• Raise your legs above your heart three or four times a day for 15 minutes at a time.

• Care for wounds in you have any open sores or infections. Your health care provider can show you how.

• Lose weight if you are overweight.

• Get more exercise. This can help you keep off weight and help move blood up your legs. Walking or swimming are good options.

• If you have dry or cracked skin on your legs, moisturizing may help. However, some skin care treatments can make the problem worse. Talk to your health care provider before using any lotions, creams or antibiotic ointments. Your provider can recommend lotions that can help.