Varicose veins are a common condition that affects many adults.
According to statistics, this disease develops more often in women than in men. These veins appear on the legs and become more common with age.
Further in the article important facts about varicose veins are noted, the corresponding photos are given for a better understanding of how they look, 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. Usually blue, purple or skin color.
Looks like dilated, twisted, and bulging blood vessels that may protrude from the surface of the skin.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins (also known as telangectasias or spider veins, vascular system) are a collection of tiny blood vessels that develop near the surface of the skin.
They are often red, blue or purple and have a web appearance. 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 various parts of the body to the heart. They have a series of one-way valves to prevent backflow of blood.
For various reasons, these valves can be damaged, causing blood to return to the interior of the veins. Further stagnation of blood increases the pressure inside the vein and weakens the wall of the blood vessels.
Then, due to the stagnation of 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 increase a person's chances of developing varicose veins.
These include:
- old age,
- standing or sitting extended,
- obesity,
- pregnancy,
- hormone therapy,
- take oral contraceptives,
- injuries,
- previous venous surgery,
- history of venous thrombosis,
- family history.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Varicose veins often have no other symptoms and signs other than their unwanted aesthetic appearance. However, some people may experience certain symptoms related to varicose veins.
Symptoms may include:
- edema,
- throbbing sensation
- aching pain,
- burning sensation,
- itching,
- gravity,
- tingling or cramping in the legs.
These symptoms often get worse after prolonged sitting or standing. Individuals can also develop brown skin and possibly trophic ulcers.
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are left untreated, it can lead to the following:
- Trophic skin ulcers develop. These open sores usually appear on the lower leg. Sometimes they can lead to the development of a soft tissue infection.
- Blood clots inside the veins (superficial thrombophlebitis) develop.
- Possible bleeding from the veins.
Diagnosis of the vascular network and varicose veins of the legs
The presence of varicose veins in the legs can be diagnosed by a careful examination of the affected area, which is usually located on the legs.
The examination consists of a visual examination and palpation of the problem area. Special attention is paid to areas of redness, swelling, discoloration of the skin, and trophic ulcers.
Home treatment
There are different things you can do at home to help relieve some of your symptoms if they appear. These conservative methods can also help prevent any potential complications.
Compression stockings
Compression stockings are a simple home treatment measure to help relieve symptoms in the legs.
They improve blood circulation by increasing pressure in the legs. These stockings are of different types and compressive strengths. Your doctor can recommend a suitable pair for you. Usually sold in pharmacies.
Lifestyle changes
A regular program of exercise and weight loss can help relieve symptoms of arachnids and varicose veins.
Those affected should avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time and lifting the legs while sitting or sleeping to improve circulation and reduce swelling in the legs.
Sclerotherapy
Sometimes conservative treatment of varicose veins at home may not give 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 procedures are often performed for cosmetic reasons.
Sclerotherapy is a common technique 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. Several sessions may be necessary for optimal results. Potential side effects include bruising, swelling, bleeding, infection, and discoloration of the skin.
Sclerotherapy: before and after
Sclerotherapy treatments may require several sessions and the healing time may vary from person to person.
Usually spider veins will start to go away within 3 to 6 weeks after 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 for spider veins and small varicose veins.
For patients who are afraid of needles, laser therapy is an alternative treatment, although a doctor can advise you on the best treatment for your particular situation.
Laser therapy uses a focused beam of light that heats the affected blood vessel, which eventually disappears.
Potential side effects include slight redness or swelling around the treated area, skin discoloration, blisters, and rarely scarring.
Laser therapy is a recently developed treatment for varicose veins, in which the affected area is treated with pulses of light of different ranges.
Laser therapy: before and after the procedure
As with sclerotherapy, several laser sessions are often necessary to achieve optimal results. Improvement may take several weeks to several months after treatment.
Venous surgery
Surgery is a treatment option for more severe cases of varicose veins. Your doctor will discuss the different surgical procedures with you to help you decide which varicose vein treatment is best for you. One of the surgical methods is to bandage the veins and remove them through small incisions in the skin.
Venous surgery: before and after treatment
Ligation and removal of veins is often successful in treating the symptoms and cosmetic problems of varicose veins. This operation is performed under local, spinal or general anesthesia in a hospital.
Full recovery from this surgery usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks. Potential complications can include infection, bleeding, scarring, nerve damage, deep vein thrombosis, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
Intravenous laser therapy
Intravenous laser therapy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves laser irradiation through a thin wire inserted into the affected vein, resulting in its narrowing.
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 removal of veins by surgery.
Radiofrequency ablation
Intravenous radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure similar to intravenous laser therapy.
Instead of using laser light, a catheter inserted into a vein uses radio frequency energy, which heats up and shrinks the affected vessel.
As with intravenous laser therapy, patients report less pain and faster recovery than ligation and removal of veins by surgery.
Prevention of varicose veins
Although varicose veins are not always preventable, there are different methods you can use to reduce your chances of developing them.
Prevention tips include:
- Regular exercise;
- Maintain a healthy weight;
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time;
- Avoid pinching your legs when sitting;
- Lift your legs higher at rest;
- Do not wear clothes that hug your body around your waist, groin and legs.
Dear friends. This article is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for consulting a doctor.