Varicose veins are a common condition that affects many adults.
According to statistics, this disease occurs more often in women than in men. These veins appear on the legs and are more common as we age.
Further in the article, important facts about varicose veins are listed. The corresponding photos are provided to help you understand what they look like, what they are and how to treat them.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are abnormally dilated veins that most commonly develop in the legs. Typically blue, purple or skin colored.
Looks like dilated, twisted and bulging blood vessels that can protrude above the surface of the skin.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins (also called telangectasia or spider veins, vessels) are a collection of tiny blood vessels that develop near the surface of the skin.
They are often red, blue or purple and look like a web. The most common spider veins are found on the face and legs.
What causes varicose veins to develop?
Varicose veins are caused by structural abnormalities in the blood vessels.
Veins carry blood from different parts of the body back to the heart. They have a series of unidirectional valves to prevent backflow of blood.
For various reasons, these valves can become damaged and cause blood to flow back into the veins. Further stagnation of the blood increases the pressure in the vein and weakens the blood vessel wall.
Then, due to the stagnation of the blood and the expansion of the affected blood vessels, arachnoid and varicose veins develop.
The reasons for the development?
There are many different risk factors that can make a person more likely to develop varicose veins.
These include:
- Dude,
- standing or sitting longer,
- obesity,
- pregnancy,
- hormone therapy,
- Take birth control pills,
- injuries,
- previous vein operation,
- History of venous thrombosis,
- family history.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Varicose veins often show no symptoms and signs other than their undesirable cosmetic appearance. However, some people may experience certain symptoms of varicose veins.
Symptoms can include:
- edema,
- throbbing feeling
- aching pain,
- burn,
- itching,
- Severity,
- Tingling or cramps in the legs.
These symptoms often worsen after long periods of sitting or standing. Individuals can also develop tan and eventually trophic ulcers.
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated it can lead to:
- Trophic skin ulcers develop. These open wounds usually appear on the lower leg. Sometimes they can lead to the development of a soft tissue infection.
- Blood clots develop in the veins (superficial thrombophlebitis).
- Possible bleeding from veins.
Diagnosis of the vascular network and the varicose veins of the legs
The presence of varicose veins on the legs can be diagnosed by a thorough examination of the affected area, which is usually on the legs.
The examination consists of a visual examination and palpation of the problem area. Particular attention is paid to areas of redness, swelling, skin discoloration, and trophic ulcers.
Treatment at home
There are several different methods you can use at home to relieve some of your symptoms if they occur. These conservative methods can also help avoid possible complications.
Compression stockings
Compression stockings are a simple home treatment to relieve leg discomfort.
They improve blood circulation by increasing the pressure in the legs. These stockings are available in different designs and pressure strengths. Your doctor can recommend a suitable pair for you. Usually sold in pharmacies.
Lifestyle changes
Regular exercise and weight loss program can help relieve symptoms of arachnids and varicose veins.
People affected should avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time and lifting their legs while sitting or sleeping to improve circulation and reduce leg swelling.
Sclerotherapy
Sometimes conservative home treatment for varicose veins may not produce the desired results. In these cases, more specialized medical procedures may be performed depending on the location and size of the abnormal veins.
These medical interventions are often performed for cosmetic reasons.
Sclerotherapy is a common technique that can be performed by a doctor. It is very effective in getting rid of most spider veins and some varicose veins.
During this process, which does not require anesthesia, the doctor injects a liquid solution directly into the affected vein, causing it to stick together and eventually go away. Multiple sessions may be required for best results. Possible side effects include bruising, swelling, bleeding, infection, and skin discoloration.
Sclerotherapy: before and after
Sclerotherapy treatments can require multiple sessions, and healing time can vary from person to person.
Generally, the spider veins disappear within 3-6 weeks of treatment, while varicose veins can take several months to improve.
Laser treatment of varicose veins
Laser therapy is another alternative medical procedure that a doctor can also perform. It is sometimes used in addition to sclerotherapy to maximize results. This technique is most effective on spider veins and small varicose veins.
For patients who are afraid of needles, laser therapy offers an alternative treatment option, although a doctor can advise you which treatment is best for your particular situation.
Laser therapy uses a focused beam of light that heats the affected blood vessel and then disappears.
Possible side effects are slight redness or swelling in the treated area, discoloration of the skin, blisters and rarely scars.
Laser therapy is a recently developed treatment for varicose veins in which the affected area is treated with light pulses from different areas.
Laser therapy: before and after the procedure
As with sclerotherapy, multiple laser sessions are often required for optimal results. The improvement may take several weeks to several months after treatment.
Vein surgery
Surgery is a treatment option for more severe cases of varicose veins. Your doctor will discuss the various surgical procedures you can take to help you decide which varicose vein treatment is best for you. One of the surgical methods is to connect the veins and remove them through small incisions in the skin.
Vein surgery: before and after treatment
Ligation and vein removal are often successful in treating the symptoms and cosmetic problems of varicose veins. This surgery is performed in a hospital under local, spinal, or general anesthesia.
Full recovery from this surgery usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks. Possible complications can include infection, bleeding, scarring, nerve damage, deep vein thrombosis, and side effects of anesthesia.
Intravenous laser therapy
Intravenous laser therapy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which the laser is irradiated through a thin conductor that is inserted into the affected vein and narrows it.
Intravenous laser therapy has an initial success rate of 98%. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia or light sedation.
Patients report less pain and faster recovery with intravenous laser therapy compared to ligation and vein removal through surgery.
High frequency ablation
Intravenous radio frequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that is similar to intravenous laser therapy.
Instead of using laser light, a catheter inserted into a vein uses radio frequency energy to heat and narrow the affected vessel.
As with intravenous laser therapy, patients report less pain and faster recovery compared to ligation and vein removal through surgery.
Prevention of varicose veins
Although varicose veins are not always preventable, there are several methods you can use to reduce the chances of them developing.
Tips for prevention include:
- Regular exercise;
- Maintain a healthy weight;
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time.
- Avoid pinching your legs while sitting.
- Raise your legs higher when you are resting.
- Do not wear clothing that presses your body around your waist, groin and legs.
Dear friends. This article is not intended to be medical advice and cannot be used as a substitute for consulting a doctor.