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Varicose Veins
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Varicose veins are enlarged veins that come on because of increased pressure within the veins. Because there is often increased pressure in the veins of the lower extremities, this is the most common place for varicose veins to occur. Varicose veins are related to spider veins but are bigger and ropier. They are usually cosmetic but big varicose veins are painful and can alter the circulatory system in a negative way.
Signs and symptoms of varicose veins include occasional pain or aching in the legs at the site of the veins, purple or blue color to the veins and veins that are twisted and bulging, looking like cords on your legs. They may form anywhere in the body but most commonly in the area from the groin to the ankle.
Painful signs and symptoms aren't common but you can have an aching or heaviness in your legs, a burning pain or throbbing pain in the legs and swelling to your lower legs. This discomfort is worsened after being on your feet for a long period of time. You can get itchiness of a varicose vein and you can get skin ulcers of your lower extremities, especially around the ankle. If you have spider veins, they are more likely to be red or blue but are smaller and can occur in the face as well as the lower extremities.
The causes of varicose veins include advancing age. Your veins have a decrease in elasticity as you get older so they dilate under pressure. Blood pools in the veins and the blood flow is sluggish. Pregnancy can cause varicose veins because of the pressure on the veins due to the advancing pregnancy. They usually get better within three months after pregnancy but can become chronic.
The risk factors for varicose veins include age. It usually occurs between the ages of 30-70 years. The valves of the veins get damaged with age and the blood doesn't have the natural pumping mechanism in place. Your gender has something to do with developing varicose veins. Women are much more likely to develop varicose veins than men due to female hormones. Varicose veins can be hereditary and if you are obese, you are more likely to develop varicose veins. If you stand for long periods of time in your job, for example, the pressure on the leg veins is higher and you can get varicose veins.
Diagnosing varicose veins depends on a complete physical exam, focusing on the veins in the leg and on swelling of the veins. You are often examined standing up when the pressure is increased. An ultrasound of the veins can look at the valves of the veins to see if they are functioning properly. The flow through the veins is assessed using the ultrasound machine.
Treatment of varicose veins doesn't always mean you stay in the hospital or even have surgery. Doctors have many ways to treat varicose veins, beginning with using compression stockings that put pressure on the varicose veins and allow them to return to normal elasticity. They take off the aching pain seen in varicose veins but are unsightly themselves. You'll need to have your legs measured in order to get the right fit so they do their job without being too loose or too tight. They need to be strong but not constricting. They can be difficult to get on, especially if you have arthritis.
Sclerotherapy is another treatment for varicose veins. It works for medium to small sized varicose veins. A solution is injected that clots the blood and destroys the veins so they no longer have sluggish blood flow through them. It takes multiple treatments before all of the veins are sclerosed. No anesthesia is required.
Laser varicose vein procedures can be done that uses laser heat to coagulate the blood and deflate the varicose vein. It is a newer technology that works on small varicose veins and spider veins. It sends bursts of light into the skin and the vein gradually disappears.
A catheter can be used that has heat applied to it. The catheter is threaded into the vein and heat is applied as the catheter is pulled out. It works well for large varicose veins. Vein stripping is an invasive procedure. Cuts are made at one end of the vein and another cut is made at the other end of the vein. The vein is pulled on and threaded through the space so that it is pulled out of the body. The varicose vein is then gone. Endoscopic vein surgery is used similar to vein stripping but uses an endoscope to visualize the vein and remove it.