What Causes Varicose Veins ? How To Get Rid of Varicose Veins ?
Varicose veins are the enlarged veins affecting your feet and legs. Repeatedly staying in standing position will cause pressure on the veins of lower extremities making it enlarged. Varicose veins remain in the form of spider veins in most of the people which is nothing to worry. But if the veins are twisted and enlarged it causes constant pain and discomfort. In severe cases it can cause circulatory problems. It is easy to treat varicose veins by making lifestyle changes and by following doctor’s advice.
Causes :
Weakness in the valves and veins would cause varicose veins. Blood normally flows in upward direction in the veins (from the legs to the heart). Sometimes when the valves do not work properly blood gets collected in the leg area which builds up pressure. This would eventually weaken the veins of the legs which become twisted and enlarged.
Varicose veins are hereditary and run in families. Old age would gradually make the veins lose elasticity which would cause stretching. Being obese can cause enlargement of veins and swelling of legs. Pregnancy can build pressure on the veins causing varicose veins. People who are involved in job that demands long standing periods have increased risk of varicose veins.
Symptoms :
Often varicose veins do not cause any problem. For some people veins will change from its normal color to dark purple or blue color. Veins may appear gnarled and enlarged making it obviously prominent on your legs. In severe cases, it will cause muscle cramps, heavy feeling on the legs, and intense pain after standing for long time. It may cause itching around veins.
It can cause swelling of legs and ankles. Swelling of veins is due to building up of blood due to back pressure. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins but do not pose any health issues. They are smaller in size and found close to the skin surface. The area around such veins become weak and may bleed even for minor injury.
Who are at risk?
Aged people, people with family history of varicose veins, people who are overweight, and people who are standing for extended periods are prone to develop varicose veins. Normally varicose veins do not cause any complications. In rare cases it can cause painful ulcers and bleeding of veins. It may form blood clots inside which would get released and travel into the bloodstream causing thrombophlebitis.
Tests :
Physical examination of the legs is done for detecting varicose veins. The doctor will ask you to stretch your legs to sense any pain/discomfort on the legs. Ultrasound scanning is done to check the function of valves present in the veins. Blood clot, if any, can also be detected by ultrasound testing.
Treatment :
Often no treatment is necessary for varicose veins if you are obese and overweight. Take steps to reduce your weight. Do regular stretching exercise and keep your legs in elevated position to facilitate blood flow. Avoid standing or sitting for extended periods so that you can get relief from intense pain. Wearing compression stockings can help you to overcome the symptoms. You need to wear it all the day which would ease out any pain and swelling in the legs.
These stockings are available in many pharmacies and you can consult your doctor to check the prescription strength that matches with your problem. Remember that you have to choose the strong stockings but they should not be very tight. For more severe cases of varicose veins, sclerotherapy is done. Your doctor would inject the enlarged varicose veins with a special solution which would eventually close those veins in couple of weeks. It would eventually clear the accumulated blood inside and facilitate normal blood flow. This procedure can be done on outpatient basis.
Laser therapy is effective for closing off small sized varicose veins. When beam of laser light is sent inside it would emit strong lighting into it which would eventually make them thinner and slowly it would disappear. In catheter procedure, your doctor will insert a tiny catheter (tube) into the enlarged vein and would heat up the tip of the catheter. He would gently pull out the catheter so that the heat will destroy the veins making them close and collapse.
Small incisions are made on the affected vein to remove it gently. Removing the affected vein will not bother circulation of blood since there are other large sized veins which can manage the blood flow. Phlebotomy is done for removing smaller varicose veins by making a tiny puncture on the skin. Surgery is done only for patients with advanced condition having ulcers. Incision is made on the vein area through which tiny camera is sent inside. The surgeon will view the position of the vein and close it or remove it accordingly. Varicose veins developed while pregnancy will often clear off on its own without taking any treatment.
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Varicose Veins :
Lifestyle Changes :
- Do regular exercises. Go for a walk in the mornings or evenings daily which would improve blood circulation.
- If you are obese take steps to shed off excess pounds. Follow a strict diet schedule that is low in salt and fat.
- Avoid wearing high heeled shoes which would cause more pressure on the calf muscles. Choose the shoes that make you comfortable.
- Don’t wear tight clothing around your legs and groin.
- Keep your legs in elevated position (well above the heart level) so that blood flow is restored to normal.
- Avoid sitting or standing in the same position and take short breaks for moving your legs.
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