Veins are blood vessels that help carry blood back to the heart. Increased pressure in the superficial veins can lead to the development of varicose veins.
Varicose veins can develop anywhere on the body, but the lower extremities are the most affected.
Many factors can increase your risk of developing varicose veins, including:
- inheritance
- overweight
- old age
- the pregnancy
- job that requires prolonged sitting or standing
Varicose veins can be treated with non-invasive methods, in a short time and without changing your usual rhythm of life. The main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and achieve good cosmetic results. Varicose veins enlarge, can become misshapen and cause pain. They are usually raised above the skin and convex, and also have a red or bluish color.
Varicose veins often occur through an underlying condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. Varicose veins are very common, especially in women.
predisposition to varicose veins
Varicose veins can occur in men or women of any age. Most often it occurs:
- women who have had multiple pregnancies
- in postmenopausal women
- in men older than 50 years
- in people of any age who have varicose veins in the family
- in men and women with jobs that require sitting or standing for a long time, such as nurses, teachers, drivers, etc.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins usually develop in the legs because the leg veins have to pump blood toward the heart against gravity.
Less common causes of varicose veins are phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) and congenital anomalies of the veins. Varicose veins are usually caused by a condition called venous insufficiency.
- venous valves. The leg veins have valves that prevent the backflow of blood. When the functioning of these valves is disturbed, the blood in the veins begins to accumulate and does not reach the heart completely.
- enlarged veinsThe veins enlarge and the increased pressure leads to the development of varicose veins.
- Weakness of the walls of the veins. In addition, weakness in the walls of the veins (due to trauma or blood clots in the past) can also lead to damage to the valves and the formation of varicose veins.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Many cases of varicose veins are asymptomatic, but visual signs of vein involvement include:
- Large, tortuous, and bulging veins
- Swollen ankles, sore feet
- Feeling of heaviness in the legs, especially at night
- Telangiectasias (spider veins) in the same area as varicose veins
- Lipodermatosclerosis (hard fat deposits under the skin)
- Change in skin color to bluish or brown on the shins and ankles
- Varicose eczema (congestive dermatitis) dry, itchy, red skin in the affected area
- leg cramps
- restless leg syndrome
How to cure varicose veins?
There are several types of treatment for varicose veins. The best treatment will depend on the structure of your venous system:
- Location and size of the affected vein
- Presence or absence of symptoms.
- Presence of associated skin changes (eg, dermatitis, edema, ulceration, etc. )
Treatment of varicose veins without surgery is a top priority. Potentially effective treatments for varicose veins include:
- Sclerotherapy. The introduction of a special drug into the vein, which leads to gluing of the vessel walls.
- Laser ablation Destruction of abnormal veins using radiofrequency, laser, or other techniques
- Miniphlebectomy. Painless surgical treatment of varicose veins
Is it safe to treat varicose veins?
On the Internet, you can often see search queries such as "varicose vein treatment medications, varicose ointment treatment, varicose vein treatment at home, or varicose vein treatment with home remedies". Such methods lack an effective evidence base, and self-treatment only delays high-quality therapy and aggravates the condition of the veins.
Laser treatment of varicose veins is safe and convenient. The advent of minimally invasive therapy in the early 2000s has led to a very favorable prognosis and minimal risks for most treatments.
It is important to contact a specialized phlebologist to select an individual treatment plan that focuses on the specific course of your disease.
How to diagnose varicose veins?
- Physical exam. A phlebologist performs a physical exam and takes a complete medical history, taking into account your symptoms and the condition of your venous system.
- Ultrasound exam. To detect venous insufficiency, the doctor will prescribe an ultrasound. A vein ultrasound allows for a complete evaluation of your venous system. The doctor will check for blood clots by seeing at what level the varicose veins are located.
What happens if varicose veins are not treated?
If you don't feel any symptoms, you can monitor the condition of your veins without treatment. However, in some cases, varicose veins can lead to the development of blood clots or venous ulcers (non-healing wounds). Sometimes a varicose vein can rupture and cause heavy bleeding. If you have developed varicose veins, a consultation and examination by a phlebologist is recommended.