Varicose veins are a common disease that affects many adults.
According to statistics, the disease develops more in women than in men. These veins appear in the legs and become more common with age.
In addition, the article highlights important facts about varicose veins, and provides relevant photos to better 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 often develop in the legs. It is usually blue, purple or skin colored.
Looks like dilated, twisted and bulging blood vessels that can rise above the surface of the skin.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins (called telangectasias or spider veins, veins) are a collection of small blood vessels that develop close to the surface of the skin.
They are often red, blue or purple and have a web-like appearance. The most common spider veins are found on the face and legs.
What causes the development of varicose veins?
Varicose veins are caused by structural abnormalities in the blood vessels.
The arteries carry blood from different parts of the body to the heart. There are a number of directional valves to prevent backflow of blood.
For various reasons, these valves can be damaged and cause blood to flow back into the arteries. More stagnation of blood increases the pressure in the artery and weakens the artery wall.
Then, due to blood stasis and dilation of the affected blood vessels, arachnoid and varicose veins develop.
Reasons for development?
There are many different risk factors that increase a person's chances of developing varicose veins.
These include:
- old age,
- to stand or sit for a long time,
- obesity,
- pregnancy,
- hormone therapy,
- to take birth control pills,
- injuries,
- previous vascular surgery,
- history of venous thrombosis,
- family history.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Varicose veins often have no symptoms or signs other than undesirable cosmetic appearances. However, some people may experience certain symptoms of varicose veins.
Symptoms may include:
- edema,
- feeling of throbbing
- aching pain,
- burning sensation,
- itching,
- violence,
- tingling or cramps in the legs.
These symptoms often worsen after prolonged sitting or standing. Individuals may develop brown skin color and consequently trophic ulcers.
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated, it can lead to:
- Trophic skin ulcers develop. These open wounds are usually visible on the lower leg. Sometimes it can lead to the development of soft tissue infection.
- Blood clots (superficial thrombophlebitis) develop inside the arteries.
- Possible bleeding from the veins.
Diagnosis of varicose veins of the vascular network and legs
The presence of varicose veins in the legs can usually be identified by a thorough examination of the affected area in the legs.
The examination consists of visual examination and palpation of the problem area. Particular attention is paid to areas with redness, swelling, discoloration and trophic ulcers of the skin.
Home treatment
There are a variety of methods you can use at home to help alleviate some of your symptoms when they are detected. These conservative methods can also help prevent potential complications.
Compression Socks
Compression stockings are a simple home remedy that helps relieve leg symptoms.
They improve blood circulation by increasing the pressure in the legs. These socks come in different types and compression strengths. Your doctor may recommend a suitable pair for you. Generally sold in pharmacies.
Lifestyle changes
A regular exercise and weight loss program can help relieve the symptoms of arachnid and varicose veins.
Affected people should avoid standing and sitting for long periods of time and raising their legs while sitting or lying down to improve blood circulation and reduce leg swelling.
Sclerotherapy
Sometimes conservative treatment of varicose veins at home may not give the desired result. In these cases, more specific medical procedures may be performed, depending on the location and size of the abnormal blood vessels.
These medical procedures are often performed for cosmetic reasons.
Sclerotherapy is a common method that can be performed by a doctor; It is very effective in removing most spider veins and some varicose veins.
During this procedure, which does not require anesthesia, the doctor injects a liquid solution directly into the affected vein, causing it to stick and eventually disappear. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve optimal results. Potential side effects include bruising, swelling, bleeding, infection, and skin discoloration.
Sclerotherapy: before and after
Sclerotherapy treatments can require many sessions and the duration of treatment can vary from person to person.
Generally, spider veins begin to disappear within 3-6 weeks after treatment, and varicose veins may take several months to heal.
Laser treatment of varicose veins
Laser therapy is an alternative medical procedure that can be performed by a doctor. It is sometimes used in addition to sclerotherapy to increase results. This technique is most effective for spider veins and small varicose veins.
For patients who are afraid of needles, laser therapy offers an alternative treatment option, although your doctor may be able to advise you on which treatment is best for your specific condition.
Laser therapy uses a focused beam of light to heat the affected blood vessel, which eventually disappears.
Potential side effects include mild redness or swelling around the treated area, discoloration of the skin, blisters, and rarely scarring.
Laser therapy is a recently developed method for treating varicose veins in which the affected area is treated with light pulses at different intervals.
Laser therapy: before and after the procedure
As with sclerotherapy, laser sessions are often required to achieve optimal results. Healing can last from a few weeks to several months after treatment.
Vascular surgery
Surgery is an option for the treatment of more severe varicose veins. Your doctor will discuss with you various possible surgical procedures that will help you decide which varicose vein treatment is best for you. One of the surgical methods is to wrap the veins and remove them through small incisions in the skin.
Vascular surgery: before and after treatment
Ligation and vascular removal are often successful in treating varicose vein symptoms and cosmetic problems. The operation is performed in a hospital under local, spinal or general anesthesia.
Full recovery from this operation usually takes about 2-4 weeks. Potential complications may include infection, bleeding, scarring, nerve damage, deep vein thrombosis, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
intravenous laser therapy
Intravenous laser therapy is a minimally invasive surgery that causes laser radiation and narrowing of a thin wire that enters the affected vein.
Intravenous laser therapy has an initial success rate of 98%. This procedure is performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia or light sedation.
Patients report less pain and faster healing with intravenous laser therapy than with ligation and surgical removal of the vein.
Radio frequency ablation
Intravenous radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure similar to intravenous laser therapy.
Instead of using laser light, a catheter that enters the vein uses radio frequency energy to heat and narrow the affected vein.
As with intravenous laser therapy, patients report less pain and faster recovery than ligation and surgical removal of the vein.
Prevention of varicose veins
Although varicose veins are not always preventable, you can use a variety of methods to reduce your chances of developing them.
Prevention tips include:
- Regular training;
- Maintain a healthy weight;
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time;
- Avoid squeezing your feet while sitting;
- Raise your legs while resting;
- Don't wear tight-fitting clothes around your waist, groin and legs.
Dear friends. This article is not medical advice and is not a substitute for consulting a doctor.