Home :: Family Health :: Varicose Veins

Varicose Veins - Varicose Veins symptom, treatment, causes

Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and twisted. The word "varicose" comes from the Latin root "varix," which means "twisted." Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that are usually bluish purple. Small, one-way valves in veins ensure blood only flows towards the heart. In some people, these valves become weakened and blood collects in the veins, causing them to abnormally enlarge. Varicose veins are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose veins called hemorrhoids can form in the vagina or around the anus. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller. They are often red or blue and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short jagged lines. Spider veins can be found on the legs and face. They can cover either a very small or very large area of skin.

A vein is a blood vessel that carries blood low in oxygen content from the body to the lungs and heart. When veins become abnormally thick, full of twists and turns, or enlarged, they are called varicose veins. Generally, the veins in the legs and thighs have a tendency to become varicosed. It is a normal part of the circulatory system. Varicose veins may be of primarily cosmetic concern, but can cause pain, leg heaviness, fatigue, itching, night cramps, restless legs at night and leg swelling. Moreover, severe varicose veins can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation or even ulceration of the lower leg. In addition, varicose veins increase the risk for phlebitis. Varicose veins are often caused by an underlying problem leg vein. A painless non-invasive ultrasound test is usually done to determine if an underlying source exists. Sclerotherapy and ambulatory phlebectomy may be used to treat the visible, bulging varicose veins. Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy , endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) , radiofrequency occlusion and vein stripping may be used to treat underlying problem veins. Normal veins have one-way valves that allow blood to flow upward only to return to the heart and lungs. A varicose vein has valves that are not functioning properly. The valves themselves may be abnormal or the vein walls may be dilated such that the valve leaflets are too far apart. The varicose veins bulge because they are filled with pooled blood.

Varicose Veins is elongated, dilated, tortuous veins, some of which can be seen under the skin. Varicose veins in the legs are common and affect women more than men.Examples of varicose veins elsewhere include HAEMORRHOIDS (piles) and VARICOCELE .

Cause of Varicose Veins

Effective blood flow through veins depends on the valves within them that prevent back-flow. In deep veins. flow is helped by contraction of surrounding muscles or the support of nearby organsand tissues. Superficial veins under the skin lackthis support and. in the lower part of the body, blood flow in veins also has to work against gravity. These veins are liable to be stretched when slowing of the blood flow leads to increased pressure within them. Stretching due to, increased pressure can damage valves and make them incompetent, and the backflow caused by the leaking valve leads to further pressure increase - a vicious cycle. The common Causes of Varicose Veins :

• Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause.
• Genetics.
• Aging.
• Prolonged sitting or standing restricts circuluation and puts added pressure on veins.
• Being overweight increases the pressure on veins.
• Chronic constipation.

Conditions that increase pressure within the abdomen (such as pregnancy, obesity, chronic cough, and straining due to chronic constipation) impede blood flow in veins from the lower body and contribute to the development of varicose veins. The hormones of early pregnancy also contribute by relaxing vein walls. There is often a family history.

Symptom and Complication of Varicose Veins

Although varicose veins may cause no symptoms apart from their dilated, winding appearance, they are often associated with aching and tiredness in the legs and swelling of the feet and ankles. In women these problems are usually aggravated just before periods. Symptoms are relieved by raising the legs. Brown and blue discoloration in the skin of the feet and lower legs may result from leakage of blood from small veins. The skin may also become thin. dry and scaly, and unsightly 'spider veins' (collections of small dilated veins) may appear under the surface of the skin. Because blood flow through affected skin is sluggish. injuries heal slowly and are liable to develop into painful varicose ulcers. Varicose veins are also more liable to THROMBOPHLEBITIS. Some common Symptoms of Varicose Veins :

• Ankle swelling.
• Bulging veins.
• Skin ulcers near the ankle.
• Mild swelling of ankles.
• Veins that have a rope-like appearance.
• Visible, enlarged veins.
• Itching around one or more of your veins.

Treatment of Varicose Veins

Once varicose veins have developed, they cannot be cured For many people, wearing support stockings and not standing for too long may be enough to prevent symptoms. Otherwise the veins may be injected with a solution that blocks them. or removed by one of a number of different operations. After these procedures, firm elastic supports must be worn for at leas~3 weeks. At the same time the patient must embark on a regular walking program to encourage the development of new, more efficient veins in the legs.

• Avoid standing for long periods of time.
• Injecting the varicose veins with a chemical to shrink the veins.
• Banding and removing varicose veins (only for severe cases).
• Wear lightweight compression stockings. Wearing these may help improve circulation in the leg veins.
• Collapses and seals varicose veins by using radiofrequency energy.
• Laser or light source energy used to seal, collapse and dissolve varicose veins.
• Rest with your legs elevated.