Varicose veins are a common condition that affects many adults.
According to statistics, this disease develops in women more often 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 relevant photos are given for a better understanding of what they look like, what they are and how to treat them.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are abnormally varicose veins that most commonly develop in the legs. Typically blue, purple or skin color.
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 telangiectasias or spider veins, vasculature) are a collection of small blood vessels that develop near the surface of the skin.
They are often red, blue or purple and look like a net. 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 blood vessels.
The veins carry blood from different parts of the body back to the heart. They have a series of one-way valves to avoid backflow of blood.
For various reasons, these valves can be damaged, causing backflow of blood into the veins. Further blood stasis increases the pressure in the vein and weakens the blood vessel wall.
Then, due to the stagnation of the blood and the 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,
- prolonged standing or sitting,
- obesity,
- pregnancy,
- hormone therapy,
- taking birth control pills,
- injuries,
- previous vein surgery,
- history of venous thrombosis,
- family history.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Varicose veins often show no symptoms or signs other than their unwanted cosmetic appearance. However, some people may experience certain symptoms of varicose veins.
Symptoms may include:
- swelling,
- throbbing sensation
- pain in pain,
- burning sensation,
- itching,
- weight,
- tingling or cramps in the legs.
These symptoms often worsen after prolonged sitting or standing. People can also develop brown skin and eventually trophic ulcers.
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated, it can lead to the following:
- 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 vascular network and varicose veins of the legs
The presence of varicose veins in the legs can be diagnosed by a thorough examination of the affected area, which is usually located on the legs.
The examination consists of visual examination and palpation of the problem area. Particular attention is paid to the areas of redness, swelling, discoloration of the skin and trophic ulcers.
Home treatment
There are various methods you can use at home to relieve some of your symptoms if they occur. These conservative methods can also help prevent potential complications.
Compression socks
Compression stockings are a simple home treatment measure that helps relieve foot symptoms.
They improve blood circulation by increasing the pressure in the legs. These socks are available in different types and compression strength. Your doctor may recommend a suitable pair for you. It is usually sold in pharmacies.
Lifestyle change
A regular exercise and weight loss program can help relieve the symptoms of spider and varicose veins.
Affected people should avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time and lift their legs while sitting or sleeping to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling of the legs.
Sclerotherapy
Sometimes conservative treatment of varicose veins at home may not give the desired results. In these cases, more specialized medical procedures can 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 eliminating most of the spider's 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 together and eventually disappear. Several sessions may be required for optimal results. Potential side effects include bruising, swelling, bleeding, infection and discoloration of the skin.
Sclerotherapy: before and after
Sclerotherapy treatment may require multiple sessions and the healing time may vary depending on the person.
In general, spider veins begin to disappear within 3-6 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 the 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 those patients who are afraid of needles, laser therapy offers an alternative treatment option, although your doctor may advise you which treatment is best 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, discoloration of the skin, blisters and rarely scarring.
Laser therapy is a recently developed method for the treatment of varicose veins, in which the affected area is treated with light pulses from different ranges.
Laser therapy: before and after the procedure
As with sclerotherapy, multiple laser sessions are often required for optimal results. 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 with you the various possible surgical procedures to help you determine 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.
Vein 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 2-4 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 surgical procedure that involves laser irradiation through a thin wire inserted into the affected vein, causing it to narrow.
Intravenous laser therapy has 98% initial success. 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 that heats and narrows 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 cannot always be prevented, there are various methods you can take 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 while sitting;
- Raise your legs higher when resting;
- Do not wear clothing that presses 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.