Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, bulging veins that most commonly develop in the legs because the veins there have to work against gravity to return blood to the heart. They are a form of chronic venous disease, ranging from mild cosmetic spider veins to severe venous ulcers.
They affect approximately 20-30% of adults,become more common with age, and are more frequent in women, although men can also be affected.
How Veins normally work:
Your arteries carry blood away from the heart. Veins return blood back to the heart.
Leg veins contain one-way valves that prevent blood from
flowing backwards. When you walk,your calf muscles squeeze the veins, helping pump blood upward.
When these valves become weak or damaged:
- Blood flows backward (venous reflux)
- Blood pools in the veins
- Pressure inside the veins increases
- Veins stretch and become enlarged
- Over time they become visibly twisted and bulging
Which veins are usually affected?
The two main superficial veins
- Great saphenous vein (inside of the leg)
- Small saphenous vein(back of the calf)
These are the veins most commonly affected by valve failure.
Risk factors
You are more likely to develop varicose veins if you have:
- Family history
- Increasing age
- Female
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Standing for long periods
- Sitting for long period
- Previous leg injury
- Previous deep vein thrombosis(DVT)
- Hormonal changes
- Multiple pregnancies
- smoking (may worsen circulation)
- Lack of physical activity
symptoms
Many people have no symptoms.
Other experience:
- Aching legs
- Heaviness
- Burning sensation
- Throbbing
- Itching
- Muscle cramps
- Swelling around the ankles
- Restless legs
- Pain after standing
- Relief when legs are elevated
Symptoms usually worsen:
- At the end of the day
- During hot weather
- During pregnancy
- After prolonged standing
Signs:
- Bulging blue veins
- Skin discolouration (Varicose eczema)
- dry ,itchy skin
- Brown pigmentation
- Thickened skin
Complications:
Untreated varicose veins may lead to:
- Chronic swelling
- Skin damage
- Venous eczema
- Lipodermatosclerosis
- Venous ulcers
- Bleeding
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
- Deep vein thrombosis(DVT)
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis usually includes
1)History:
Your doctor asks about:
- Symptoms
- Pregnancy history
- Occupation
- Previous clots
- Family history
2)Physical examination
3)Venous colour doppler
Treatment :
Treatment depends on symptoms, vein size, and complication
Lifestyle measures
These help symptoms but usually do not eliminate existing varicose veins.
Exercise
Walking is excellent.
It activates the calf muscle pump.
Weight loss
Reduce pressure on veins
Leg elevation
Raise legs above heart level several times daily.
Avoid prolonged standing
Take breaks.
Move every 30-60 minutes
Compression stockings
- Reduce swelling
- Improve symptoms
- Reduce aching
- Help ulcer healing
Common strengths of stockings: mild , moderate and strong medical compression
Medical procedure
Modern treatments are minimally invasive.
1. Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)
Evlt Most commonly used.
A laser fiber is inserted into the vein.
Heat seals the vein shut.
2. Radio frequency ablation( RFA)
RFA Uses radiofrequency heat instead of laser.
3. Foam sclerotherapy
A medication is injected into the veins.
Recovery after treatment
- Most people
- Walk immediately
- Go home the same day
- Return to work within a few days
- Wear compression stockings temporarily
- Resume exercise gradually
Can varicose veins come back?
Yes
If weight or any provoking factors are there then there might be a chance of redeveloping varicose veins.
Pregnancy also increases the risk of varicose veins or recurrence of varicose veins.
Due to
- Hormonal effects
- Increased blood volume
- Pressure from the uterus
Many pregnancy related varicose veins improve after delivery.
Prevention
Not all cases can be prevented, especially if there is a strong genetic component.
You can reduce your risk by:
- Staying active
- Walking daily
- Maintaining healthy weight
- Avoid prolonged standing or sitting
- Elevating your legs when resting
- Avoiding very tight clothing around the waist or thighs
- Wearing compression stockings if recommended
Conclusion
At bankers vascular hospital, Varicose veins can be treated without surgery , any kind of complication and with advanced treatment options like venaseal glue embolization .