Overview
Engorged, enlarged blood vessels that protrude just beneath the skin’s surface are known as varicose veins. Your legs, feet, and ankles are typically where these blue or purple bulges show up. They may itch or cause pain. Spider veins are tiny red or purple streaks that show up at the surface of your skin and may encircle varicose veins.
A common medical condition known as varicose veins arises when abnormal or broken vein valves permit blood to pool or flow in the wrong direction. On the inside of the leg or behind the knee, they typically form on the legs.
Although medical therapy and home cures are available if varicose veins cause swelling, aching, pain, or significant discomfort, they are rarely necessary for health-related reasons. In extreme situations, varicose veins may burst or turn into cutaneous varicose ulcers that need medical attention.
For most people, varicose veins are not harmful, even if you may not like the way they feel or appear. Severe varicose veins can occasionally result in life-threatening conditions like blood clots. The majority of varicose vein symptoms can be alleviated at home. Your healthcare practitioner may prescribe injections, laser treatments, or surgery if your condition is more severe.
What causes Varicose veins?
Increased blood pressure in the veins is the cause of varicose veins. Veins close to the skin’s surface (superficial) are susceptible to varicose veins.
The veins’ one-way valves allow the blood to flow toward the heart. Blood may pool in the veins if the valves are compromised or weakened. Vein enlargement results from this. Long periods of standing or sitting can cause blood to pool in the veins of the legs, raising the vein pressure. The elevated pressure might cause the veins to swell. This could harm the valves and weaken the vein walls.
Causes and Symptoms
What signs of varicose veins are present?
A twisted, blue or purple vein beneath the skin’s surface is the most obvious indication of varicose veins. Symptoms of varicose veins include:
- Vein bulges: Veins that are twisted, enlarged, and resemble ropes are frequently blue or purple. On your legs, ankles, and feet, they show up just beneath the skin’s surface.
- Heavy legs: After engaging in physical exercise, your legs’ muscles may feel worn out, sluggish, or heavy.
Itching: A varicose vein’s surrounding area may itch. - Pain: Legs may feel sore, achy, or painful.
Your feet, ankles, and legs may swell and ache. - Ulcers and skin discolorations: If varicose veins are left untreated, they may result in skin discolorations. Your skin may develop venous ulcers as a result of severe varicose veins.
Making a diagnosis
A medical professional checks you in order to diagnose varicose veins. This involves rising up and examining your legs to look for edema. You may be asked to explain how your legs hurt and ache.
Examinations
A venous Doppler ultrasonography of the leg is a test that a medical professional may use to diagnose varicose veins. It’s a painless diagnostic that examines blood flow through vein valves using sound waves. Finding a blood clot can be aided by a leg ultrasound.
How to treat varicose veins?
Treatment might not be required for someone who does not experience any symptoms or discomfort and does not find varicose veins unsightly.
The following may be part of medical treatment for varicose veins:
- Only patients with extremely severe varicose veins may be recommended for surgical excision by their doctors. Ligation and stripping, in which a surgeon ties up and removes the vein, may be part of the surgical procedure.
- Sclerotherapy: A physician injects a substance into veins to cause scarring and closure.
- Ablation: A physician heats veins from the inside out using radiofrequency or lasers to seal them off.
Physicians can remove tiny veins close to the skin using a phlebectomy. Physicians may use it in conjunction with other therapies.