Varicose Vein and its causes and treatment

Varicose Vein

What is Varicose Vein?

Definition

⦁ Varicose veins are gnarled, enlarged veins. Any vein may become varicose, but the veins most commonly affected are those in your legs and feet. That's because standing and walking upright increases the pressure in the veins of your lower body.


Symptoms

Varicose veins usually don't cause any pain. 

⦁ Veins that are dark purple or blue in color
⦁ Veins that appear twisted and bulging; often like cords on your legs
⦁ An achy or heavy feeling in your legs
⦁ Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs
⦁ Worsened pain after sitting or standing for a long time

⦁ Itching around one or more of your veins
⦁ Skin ulcers near your ankle.


Causes

⦁ Age. As you get older, your veins can lose elasticity causing them to stretch. The valves in your veins may become weak, allowing blood that should be moving toward your heart to flow backward. Blood pools in your veins and your veins enlarge and become varicose. 
⦁ Pregnancy. 

Risk Factors

⦁ Age. 
⦁ Sex. Women are more likely to develop the condition. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, pre-menstruation or menopause may be a factor. 
⦁ Family history. If other family members had varicose veins, there's a greater chance you will too.
⦁ Obesity. Being overweight puts added pressure on your veins.
⦁ Standing or sitting for long periods of time. Your blood doesn't flow as well if you're in the same position for long periods.


Complication

⦁ Ulcers. Extremely painful ulcers may form on the skin near varicose veins, particularly near the ankles. Ulcers are caused by long-term fluid buildup in these tissues, caused by increased pressure of blood within affected veins. A discolored spot on the skin usually begins before an ulcer forms. See your doctor immediately if you suspect you've developed an ulcer.

⦁ Blood clots. Occasionally, veins deep within the legs become enlarged. In such cases, the affected leg may swell considerably. Any sudden leg swelling warrants urgent medical attention because it may indicate a blood clot — a condition known medically as thrombophlebitis.



Test and Diagnosis



⦁ To diagnose varicose veins, looking at your legs while you're standing to check for swelling.





⦁ ultrasound test to see if the valves in your veins are functioning normally or if there's any evidence of a blood clot





Treatment and Medication

⦁ Self-care
Self-care —exercising, losing weight, not wearing tight clothes, elevating your legs, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting
⦁ Compression stockings
⦁ Sclerotherapy. 

⦁ Laser surgeries. laser treatments to close off smaller varicose veins and spider veins. Laser surgery works by sending strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. 
⦁ Vein stripping. 

Life Style Changes

⦁ Exercise. Get moving. Walking is a great way to encourage blood circulation in your legs. 


⦁ Watch your weight and your diet.
⦁ Watch what you wear. Avoid high heels. Low-heeled shoes work calf muscles more, which is better for your veins. Don't wear tight clothes around your waist, legs or groin. 
⦁ Elevate your legs. To improve the circulation in your legs, take several short breaks daily to elevate your legs above the level of your heart. 



⦁ Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Make a point of changing your position frequently to encourage blood flow. Try to move around at least every 30 minutes or so.

⦁ Don't sit with your legs crossed. 


Prevention

⦁ There's no way to completely prevent varicose veins. But improving your circulation and muscle tone can reduce your risk of developing varicose veins or getting additional ones. 
⦁ Exercising
⦁ Watching your weight
⦁ Eating a high-fiber, low-salt diet
⦁ Avoiding high heels and tight hosiery
⦁ Elevating your legs
⦁ Changing your sitting or standing position regularly


If any suggestion or comments please write to me or below mention on the comments box. Your suggestion is very important to improve the presentation.