Varicose veins are an unsightly enlargement of veins near the surface of the skin. They are most common in the legs, because of the weight that they bear on a regular basis, but can occur anywhere. While they are not usually serious, occasionally the problem can be indicative of or lead to other issues.
Veins in your body have one-way valves that function to keep blood flowing only towards the heart, by preventing it from flowing in the other direction. Varicose veins happen when a combination of the vein walls weakening and the valves starting to leak occurs. The veins fill with extra blood, and stretch into larger, more visible structures under the skin.
Risk factors for varicose veins include heredity, pregnancy, age, and standing for long periods of time, such as at a job. Being overweight or obese is also a risk factor. All of these, with the exception of heredity, place more pressure on the veins in the lower limbs, which can cause them to weaken and their valves to leak.
Varicose veins are usually not serious, but can occasionally occur in response to blood clots, vein abnormalities, either congenital or acquired, or tumors. When you first notice them, you should have the condition examined by a doctor to make sure that there is no serious problem. Affected veins are visible on the surface of the skin, and your doctor will look at your legs while you are standing to diagnose them. Typically, no other test is required, but if deep vein abnormalities are suspected, an ultrasound may be performed.
Treatment for the problem can either be medical or at home. At home treatments consist of compression stockings, elevating your legs, staying off your feet for long periods of time, and losing weight if you are overweight or obese. Exercise improves circulation, and walking, biking, swimming and doing other exercise is recommended as well. The same methods that are recommended for home treatment may be used to help prevent the development of the problem in people at high risk.
Medical treatments include surgical removal of the affected veins, laser treatments, radio frequency treatments and sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is the use of an injectable chemical into the affected veins, which scar and close up. It is best used on small veins. Laser and radio frequency treatments both also scar the veins until they close, but can be used effectively on larger problem veins. The largest veins usually require surgical excision.
Once your doctor has confirmed that your varicose veins are not caused by any serious problem, watchful waiting is usually prescribed. If the problem doesn’t cause you discomfort, home treatments are probably adequate. Call your doctor if bleeding over the veins occurs, sores develop, or your leg becomes swollen and painful. These could indicate potentially serious problems.
Because varicose veins can be unsightly as well as potentially problematic, some people opt to have them removed even if they are experiencing no symptoms. But since the problem results from leaky valves, the issue can occur in different veins after the originally affected ones are removed. If you have varicose veins removed, following the preventative measures outlined by Nori Michigan Vein Clinic can help keep them from recurring.
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