Veins are blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart. Increased pressure in the superficial veins can lead to the development of varicose veins.
Varicose veins can develop anywhere in the body, but the lower extremities are most commonly affected.
Many factors can increase your risk of developing varicose veins, including:
- inheritance
- overweight
- high age
- pregnancy
- Work that requires prolonged sitting or standing
Varicose veins can be treated with non-invasive methods, in a short time and without changing your usual rhythm of life. The main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, avoid complications and achieve good cosmetic results. Varicose veins enlarge, can become deformed and cause pain. They are usually raised above the skin and convex, and are also red or bluish in color.
Varicose veins often result from an underlying condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. Varicose veins are very common, especially in women.
Predisposition to varicose veins
Varicose veins can occur in men and women of all ages. Occurs more frequently:
- Women who have had multiple pregnancies
- in postmenopausal women
- in men over 50 years of age
- in people of any age who have a family history of varicose veins
- in men and women with jobs that require prolonged sitting or standing, such as nurses, teachers, drivers, etc.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins usually develop in the legs because the veins in the legs have to pump blood to the heart against the force of gravity.
Less common causes of varicose veins are phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) and congenital anomalies of the veins. Varicose veins are usually caused by a condition called venous insufficiency.
- vein valves. The veins in the legs have valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards. When these valves fail to function, blood begins to pool in the veins and is not fully transported to the heart.
- Dilated veins. Veins enlarge and increased pressure leads to the development of varicose veins.
- Weakness of the walls of the veins. In addition, weakness in the vein walls (due to past trauma or blood clots) can also lead to valve damage and the formation of varicose veins.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Many cases of varicose veins are asymptomatic, but visual signs of vein involvement include:
- Large, tortuous and bulging veins
- Swollen ankles, aching feet
- Heaviness in the legs, especially at night
- Telangiectasias (spider veins) in the same area as varicose veins
- Lipodermatosclerosis (hard fat deposits under the skin)
- Change in skin color to bluish or brown on the shins and ankles
- Varicose veins (congestive dermatitis) dry, itchy, and red skin in the affected area
- leg cramps
- Restless Legs Syndrome
How to cure varicose veins?
There are different types of treatment for varicose veins. The best treatment depends on the structure of your venous system:
- Location and size of the affected vein
- presence or absence of symptoms
- Presence of associated skin changes (eg, dermatitis, edema, ulceration, etc. )
Treating varicose veins without surgery is a top priority. Potentially effective treatments for varicose veins include:
- sclerotherapy. The introduction of a special drug into the vein, which leads to the gluing of the vessel walls
- Laser ablation Destruction of abnormal veins using radiofrequency, laser, or other techniques
- miniphlebectomy. Surgical painless treatment of varicose veins
Is It Safe to Treat Varicose Veins?
On the Internet, you can often see such searches as "medicines for the treatment of varicose veins, treatment of varicose veins with ointment, treatment of varicose veins at home, or treatment of varicose veins with folk remedies". Such methods lack an effective evidence base, and self-treatment only delays a high-quality oneTherapy and aggravates the condition of the veins.
Treatment of varicose veins with a laser is safe and convenient. The advent of minimally invasive therapy in the early 2000s has resulted in a very favorable prognosis and minimal risks for most treatments.
It is important that you consult a specialist phlebologist so that they can put together an individual treatment plan based on your specific course of the disease.
How are varicose veins diagnosed?
- Physical examination. A phlebologist will perform a physical examination and take a full medical history, taking into account your symptoms and the condition of your venous system.
- ultrasound examination. To determine venous insufficiency, the doctor will prescribe an ultrasound scan. A vein ultrasound allows for a complete assessment of your venous system. The doctor will check if you have blood clots by seeing where the varicose veins are located.
What happens if varicose veins are not treated?
If you do not feel any symptoms, you can control the condition of the veins without treatment. However, in some cases, varicose veins can lead to the development of blood clots or venous ulcers (wounds that do not heal). Sometimes a varicose vein can rupture and cause heavy bleeding. If you have developed varicose veins, a consultation and examination by a phlebologist is recommended.