Veins Varicose What Exactly Are Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels that form beneath the skin's surface in the lower body.

Blood backs up in the veins when the walls are weak and the valves do not function properly.

This creates blue and purple pimples on your legs, feet, and ankles. There are various treatment procedures available. However, varicose veins might reappear.

What exactly are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are bulging, twisted blood vessels that bulge just beneath the skin's surface. These blue or purple bulges are commonly found on the legs, feet, and ankles.

They might be uncomfortable or irritating. Spider veins are little red or purple streaks near the skin's surface and can surround varicose veins.

While ugly and painful, varicose veins are not harmful to most people.

In some circumstances, severe varicose veins can cause serious health complications, such as blood clots.

Most varicose vein problems can be treated at home, or your doctor may recommend injections, laser therapy, or surgery.

How do varicose veins differ from spider veins?

Both varicose and spider veins are kinds of venous illnesses. However, they appear differently. Varicose veins are more prominent and thicker than spider veins.

They resemble red or blue cobwebs or tree branches and are located near the skin's surface.

Spider veins are rarely painful. They can appear anywhere on the body, although they are usually found behind the knee, feet, or face. Varicose veins are most commonly found on the feet and legs.

Who is prone to varicose veins?

Varicose veins can affect anyone. Varicose veins can be caused by several reasons, including:

Age: As we get older, our vein walls and valves stop working as well as they used to. Veins lose their suppleness and harden.

Gender: Feminine hormones can expand vein walls. Individuals who are pregnant, taking birth control pills, or going through menopause are more likely to develop varicose veins due to hormonal changes.

Family history: this condition is heritable (occurs in families).

Standing or sitting for long periods impairs circulation. Constricted clothes, such as girdles or trousers with tight waistbands, can reduce blood flow.

General health: certain medical disorders, such as severe constipation or tumors, raise vein pressure.

Tobacco use: Those who use tobacco products are more likely to develop varicose veins.

Heavy weight puts strain on blood arteries.

What is the prevalence of varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a prevalent condition. Varicose veins affect around one-third of all individuals. They are more common in people who are born female than in people who are born male.

What are the manifestations of varicose veins?

A knobby, blue, or purple vein beneath the skin's surface is the most visible indication of varicose veins.

Among the symptoms are:

Bulging veins: Sinuous, swollen, rope-like veins that are blue or purple. They appear on the legs, ankles, and feet, slightly beneath the skin's surface. They may appear in groups. Nearby, tiny red or blue lines (spider veins) may emerge.

Heavy legs: Your leg muscles may feel tired, heavy, or sluggish, particularly after vigorous activity.

Itching may occur in the area around the varicose veins.
Pain: Your legs may ache, hurt, or feel sore, particularly near your knees. You may experience muscle cramping.
Leg, ankle, and foot swelling and throbbing: Your legs, ankles, and feet may swell and throb.

Skin darkening and ulcers: Varicose veins can produce brown skin discoloration if left untreated. Severe varicose veins can cause skin ulcers (venous ulcers).

Where do varicose veins most commonly appear?

Varicose veins are most common in the lower part of the body, specifically the calves, ankles, and feet. They can also appear in the pelvic area (pelvic congestion syndrome), particularly in women who have recently given birth. Infertility can be caused by varicose veins in the testicles (varicocele).

What factors contribute to varicose veins?

Varicose veins develop when the walls of your veins deteriorate. When the blood pressure in the veins rises, the weaker vein walls can expand.

The valves that keep blood flowing in one direction in the vein can no longer function properly when the vein swells.

Slow blood causes the vein to expand, bulge, and twist as it backs up or pools.

Vein walls and valves can deteriorate due to a variety of factors, including:

Hormones.
The process of aging.
Obesity is a problem.
Clothing that is too tight.
Standing for extended periods causes vein pressure.

How are varicose veins identified?

Varicose veins are visible because they are close to the skin's surface. During a physical exam, the doctor can diagnose them.

They will palpate and inspect your veins, whether seated or standing.

Your doctor may offer an ultrasound examination to obtain precise images of your veins and rule out concerns.

This painless checkup uses sound waves to make images of your body's tissues. The ultrasound scan can identify blood clots and how the valves in your veins function.

In what ways can varicose veins be treated?

Varicose veins can't be cured. They can be treated. It is possible to lessen their obviousness and discomfort using the following treatments:

Elevation: Raise your legs above your waist several times daily to enhance blood flow and relieve vein pressure.

Elastic stockings or socks: compression stockings or socks compress the veins and relieve discomfort. Compression helps to keep veins from stretching and increases blood flow.

Sclerotherapy (injection therapy): A doctor injects a solution into your vein during sclerotherapy. The solution induces the vein walls to adhere to one another.

The vein eventually converts into scar tissue and regresses.

Endovenous thermal ablation is a non-surgical option for treating certain conditions. A doctor uses a catheter (a long, thin tube) and a laser to seal a damaged vein.

Vein surgery, commonly known as ligation and stripping, involves the surgeon tying up the diseased vein (ligation) to prevent blood stasis. The surgeon may remove the vein (stripping) to prevent varicose veins from returning.

Treatment complications/side consequences

Half of those with surgical stripping within five years may develop varicose veins again, and varicose veins may reappear after endovenous ablation.

These therapies may have the following adverse effects:

Scarring.
The skin burns.
Infection.
A nerve injury.
Sclerotherapy may result in the following adverse effects:

You may have redness or bruising for several days at the spot where the needle was injected into your skin.

Brown marks on the skin touched by the needle (for several months).

For a few months, you may have lumps or indurations.

Sclerotherapy might result in new varicose veins that must be treated.

What can I do to avoid varicose veins?

You might not be able to avoid varicose veins. An active, healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of varicose veins. Many of the same measures are recommended by doctors to prevent and treat varicose veins: