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 in your body, but the lower extremities are most commonly affected.
Many factors can increase your risk of developing varicose veins, including:
- heredity
- excess weight
- old age
- pregnancy
- work that requires prolonged sitting or standing
Varicose veins can be treated with non-invasive methods, with little 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 are enlarged, can be deformed 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. More often occurs:
- women who have had multiple pregnancies
- in postmenopausal women
- in men over 50 years of age
- in people of any age who have varicose veins in the family
- in men and women with jobs that require prolonged sitting or standing, such as nurses, teachers, drivers, etc.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins usually develop in the legs because the veins in the legs have to pump blood up to 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 veins in the legs have valves that prevent backflow of blood. When the functioning of these valves is disturbed, the blood in the veins begins to accumulate and is not delivered to the heart in full.
- Enlarged veins. Veins enlarge, and 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 valve damage 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, aching feet
- Feeling of heaviness in the legs, especially at night
- Telangiectasias (spider veins) in the same area as varicose veins
- Lipodermatosclerosis (hard fatty deposits under the skin)
- Change in skin color to bluish or brown on the shins and ankles
- Varicose eczema (congestive dermatitis) dry, itchy and red skin in the affected area
- leg cramps
- restless leg syndrome
How to cure varicose veins?
There are various 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 walls of the vessel
- Laser ablation Destruction of abnormal veins using radiofrequency, laser or other techniques
- Miniphlebectomy. Surgical painless treatment of varicose veins
Is it safe to treat varicose veins?
On the Internet, you can often see search queries like "varicose veins treatment drugs, varicose ointment treatment, varicose veins treatment at home or varicose veins treatment with folk remedies. "Such methods lack an effective evidence base, and self-treatment only delays high-quality therapy and aggravates the condition of the veins.
Treatment of varicose veins with a laser 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 in order for him to select an individual treatment plan that will be focused on the specific course of your disease.
How to diagnose varicose veins?
- Physical examination. A phlebologist performs a physical examination and takes a complete medical history, taking into account your symptoms and the condition of your venous system.
- Ultrasound examination. To detect venous insufficiency, the doctor will prescribe an ultrasound scan. A vein ultrasound allows for a complete assessment of your venous system. The doctor will check if you have blood clots by seeing at what level the varicose veins are localized.
What happens if varicose veins are not treated?
If you do not feel any symptoms, then you can control the condition of the veins without treatment. However, in some cases, varicose veins can lead to the development of blood clots or venous ulcers (wounds that do not heal). Sometimes varicose veins can rupture a vein and cause heavy bleeding. If you have developed varicose veins, a consultation and examination by a phlebologist is recommended.