Varicose veins are twisted, swollen, and often painful veins that are filled with an atypical collection of blood. In healthy, normal veins, valves in the vein keep blood constantly moving toward the heart. In varicose veins, the valves do not function correctly, allowing blood to remain in the vein. Pooling of the blood in varicose veins is what causes them to enlarge. This process is most commonly found in the veins of the legs, although there is a potential for it to occur elsewhere in the body. Varicose veins are quite common, and affect predominantly women.
Known causes include the following:
- Congenitally defective valves (valves are defective from birth)
- Thrombophlebitis, which is the inflammation of a vein caused by the presence of a blood clot
- Pregnancy
Standing for long periods of time and having increased pressure in the abdomen may increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins, or make an existing condition worse.
Primary varicose veins occur due to either genetically flawed valves, or without a recognizable cause. Secondary varicose veins are caused because of another condition, like when a pregnant woman develops varicose veins.
Symptoms include the following:
- Visibly enlarged veins
- Moderate swelling of the ankles
- Heaviness, fullness, aching, and frequently pain in the legs
- Brown discoloration of the skin in the vicinity of the ankles
- In severe cases, skin ulcerations near the ankles
Treatment for Varicose Veins:
1. Wear lightweight compression tights for small varicose veins and heavier elastic support stockings for advanced cases that are not being treated by a surgeon. This will help to provide support to the skin and veins, so as not to allow the blood to pool so much in the veins causing excruciating pain.
2. Schedule a consultation with a vascular surgeon or a certified dermatologist to discuss your varicose veins and to discuss your treatment options.
3. Have an outpatient ultrasound or duplex scan of your legs to eliminate the possibility of circulatory and/or deep vein disease.
4. Talk with your physician about sclerotherapy, the process of injecting a medication into the affected blood vessels, causing them to shrink.
5. Explore your options for laser treatment. This is a procedure that requires no surgery or injections. One vein typically requires between four and six treatments, lasting 15 to 20 minutes each.
6. Discuss your options for vein stripping. This is a surgical procedure in which a vascular surgeon makes an incision in a leg, normally in the groin area, locates the varicose vein, ties it off and frequently removes it. Vein stripping requires a general anesthetic and is normally performed in a hospital. Bear in mind that after vein-stripping surgery, a patient must wear a firm bandage from foot to mid-thigh for two to three days. The patient is asked to rest during that time with the leg in an elevated position.
7. Ask your physician about ambulatory phlebectomy. With this procedure, the vascular surgeon inserts a small hooked instrument into tiny incisions he has made in the skin to collapse the enlarged veins.
As you can see, there are several different types of treatments for repairing unsightly and painful varicose veins, the important thing is to speak with your doctor about what procedures could be used to help you.
