What You Need to Know About Varicose Veins
A varicose vein is an enlarged and twisted vein. The condition typically appears on veins near your skin surface and is more common in the legs. The legs are more prone to varicose veins because walking and standing exert a lot of pressure on your lower body.
Varicose veins can make your legs appear unattractive and cause other cosmetic problems. In some cases, the condition can be painful and discomforting. Varicose veins can also cause severe medical complications.
This blog post discusses what you need to know about varicose veins.
Causes
Blood vessels such as veins and arteries transport blood throughout the body. Arteries transfer blood from your heart to other parts of the body, while veins move blood from other parts of the body to the heart. Hence, veins transport blood upwards and against gravity.
Veins use valves to control the movement of blood within the blood vessels. However, the valves may fail to work and hinder proper blood flow. As a result, blood will stagnate in a specific part of the vein. The veins will weaken, stretch, and curl due to excessive pressure. Such a vein is called a varicose vein.
Risk Factors
Your risk of varicose veins increases as you get older. Moreover, if you are a woman, you more likely will have varicose veins because of hormonal changes during menopause or menstruation.
The onset of pregnancy also increases the chances of developing varicose veins. This is due to an increase in blood volume that exerts more pressure on the veins.
You are also more likely to develop varicose veins if your family members also have the condition. Furthermore, being obese can put more pressure on your veins and may cause varicose veins.
Your daily activity levels are also a risk factor. If you sit or stand in the same spot for extended periods, you may develop varicose veins. On the other hand, constant motion enhances blood circulation and can reduce the risk of varicose veins.
Symptoms
Some people think that varicose veins are just a cosmetic problem. However, the veins can lead to extreme discomfort. The area around the veins will also start to itch and become painful.
You may also experience the following symptoms:
- Your legs may start to swell and increase in size.
- Wounds may appear at the ankle and take a long time to heal.
- Blood clots may appear in the veins and can cause inflammation.
Many of the varicose veins' symptoms are not life-threatening, but they do need medical attention.
Treatment
If your varicose veins aren't painful or don't cause any discomfort, you may choose to ignore the condition and not seek any treatment. However, seeking treatment can have cosmetic benefits and prevent further complications, like skin discoloration and leg ulcers.
Surgery is one treatment option that is ideal if you have large varicose veins. The surgical procedure removes the veins after the administration of anesthesia. This is a minor surgery, and you can go home the same day. But the doctor may recommend that you spend one night in the hospital if the varicose veins are in both legs.
Ligation and stripping is another possible treatment option. The physician will make incisions on specific parts of your body and insert a flexible wire. This process is relatively straightforward but can cause bleeding and pain.
You can also choose the sclerotherapy process that involves injecting chemicals into the veins. Another option is radiofrequency ablation, which uses narrow tubes and ultrasound scans.
Effective and timely treatment at Ponte Vedra Vein Institute is necessary to bring varicose veins under control. We specialize in the treatment of vascular diseases, such as varicose veins and venous disorders. Contact us for more information.
