Varicose veins are large, twisted veins. Any vein in your body could become varicose, but the veins most commonly affected are those in your legs and feet. This is because standing and walking upright increases the pressure in the veins of your lower body.
Some people have varicose veins or mild variation of varicose veins and their only concern is their unsightly appearance. This can be fixed with cosmetic procedures.
For other individuals, varicose veins can cause aching, pain and discomfort. Sometimes varicose veins can lead to serious problems and act as a warning sign leading to other circulatory problems. Treatment may involve procedures you can do by yourself or procedures by a doctor to close or remove the nuisance veins.
Varicose veins develop when the valves which direct blood flow around the body break down and the vein walls are weakened. Normally, the one-way valves in these veins keep the blood flowing efficiently against gravity up toward the heart. When these valves do not work properly, blood pools, pressure builds up, and the veins become weakened, enlarged, and twisted. This is called venenous insufficiency.
Varicose veins develop when the small valves inside the veins stop working properly. A healthy vein, blood flows smoothly back to the heart, and the blood is unable to flow backwards by a series of tiny valves, which open and close to let blood through. If these valves become weak or damaged, the blood can flow backwards and can collect in the vein, eventually causing it to become varicose.
Women tend to be more affected than men are with roughly 30% of women will develop varicose veins, compared to 15% of men.
Any vein in your body can become swollen and enlarged, but they most commonly develop in the legs and feet. The calves are most commonly affected. This is because standing and walking puts extra pressure on the veins in the lower body.
To diagnose varicose veins, your doctor will examine your legs and feet. Varicose veins are easy to spot, it is usually the most visible when you are standing. The doctor will also check your legs for tender areas, swelling, skin color changes, ulcers, and other signs of skin breakdown.
Today's medical technology makes it possible to treat varicose veins without the hassle of going onto the hospital. There are many ways to treat varicose veins. Below are the many ways you can help get rid or decrease your chances of getting varicose veins. Below are the different treatments available.
There are many ways to treat your varicose veins from home. These treatments include:
By doing these things you can decrease the pain and prevent varicose veins from getting worse.
Compression stockings - Wearing compression stockings is often the first approach to try before trying other treatments. Compression stockings are worn all day. They steadily squeeze your legs, helping veins and leg muscles move blood more efficiently. The amount of compression varies by type and brand you purchase. Compression stockings come in many strengths, styles and colors. With the array of stockings on the market, you are likely to find a stocking that you are comfortable wearing. You can buy compression stockings at most pharmacies and medical supply stores. Prices vary. Prescription-strength stockings also are available. When purchasing compression stockings, make sure that they fit properly. Using a tape measure, you or your pharmacist can measure your legs to ensure you get the right size and fit according to the size chart found on the stocking package. Compression stockings should be strong, but not necessarily tight. If you have weak hands or arthritis, getting these stockings on may be difficult. There are devices to make putting them on easier. If you don't respond to self-care, compression stockings, or if your condition is more severe, your doctor may suggest one of these varicose vein treatments:
Sclerotherapy - The doctor injects small- and medium-sized varicose veins with a solution that scars and closes those veins. In a few weeks, treated varicose veins should become lighter. Although the same vein may need to be injected more than once, sclerotherapy is effective if done correctly. Sclerotherapy does not require anesthesia and can be done in your doctor's office.
Laser surgeries - Doctors are using new technology in laser treatments to close off smaller varicose veins. Laser surgery works by sending strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. There is no cutting into the skin or needles are used during this procedure.
Catheter-assisted procedures - In one of these treatments, your doctor inserts a thin tube into an enlarged vein and heats the tip of the catheter. As the catheter is pulled out, the heat destroys the vein by causing it to collapse and seal shut. This procedure is usually done for varicose veins that are larger than the norm.
Vein stripping - This procedure involves removing a long vein through small incisions. This is an outpatient procedure for most people. Removing the vein will not affect circulation in your leg because veins deeper in the leg take care of the larger volumes of blood.
Ambulatory phlebectomy (fluh-BEK-to-me). Your doctor removes smaller varicose veins through a sequence of tiny skin punctures. Only the parts of your leg that are being pricked are numbed in this outpatient procedure. Scarring is generally small and unnoticeable.
Endoscopic vein surgery - You might need this operation only in an advanced case involving leg ulcers. Your surgeon uses a thin video camera inserted in your leg to visualize and close varicose veins, and then removes the veins through small incisions. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis.
Creams and medicines - Varicose veins can cause eczema. A short course of steroid cream may be necessary or moisturizing cream can be used too if the skin is dry.
Radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser ablation - These methods involve passing a probe into one of the longer varicose veins, using ultrasound to guide the position. The laser or radiofrequency energy makes the vein heat up, which seals it.
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