Most people have visible blood vessels on their body but some have more visible blood vessels than others. If the blood vessels bulge a lot on the skin, are swollen and enlarged, it may mean that they are varicose veins. In this article, we will describe the underlying problems of varicose veins, why they occur and why varicose veins can appear as swollen and dilated blood vessels.
Visible blood vessels can be seen in several places on the body and are often seen where the skin is thin, such as on the hands, forearms and feet. Some people have visible blood vessels on their legs, especially in the creases of the knees and lower leg, where the blood vessels are swollen and dilated. This can be a sign of varicose veins and the disease itself often has different symptoms that are experienced differently from person to person.
What are swollen and dilated blood vessels?
A person who has very distinct and thick veins on their legs may have different symptoms from them. In the case of varicose veins, the symptoms will manifest as heavy and tired legs and itching, a burning sensation may also occur in the area around the swollen veins.
In the legs, there are veins that carry the deoxygenated blood back to the heart to be oxygenated. To help the blood flow, there are venous valves that regulate blood flow so that blood can only be pumped in one direction back to the heart. If the valves are defective, reflux will occur resulting in increased pressure in the veins which in turn will cause blood to pool under the valves. When this occurs, the blood vessels will expand and become thick and swollen. The pools of blood accumulated in the blood vessels can cause varicose veins, which appear on the skin as dilated and swollen blood vessels.
Varicose veins - swollen and dilated blood vessels
When the pressure on the blood vessels is high, which is what has caused varicose veins, it can cause various problems that may limit the daily life of the person with varicose veins. When varicose veins are thick and swollen, blood circulation is usually poor. The poor circulation can cause crawling in the legs and many people also experience cramps, a burning sensation and heavy legs. Varicose veins can also cause other problems, such as
- Pigmentation of the skin around the varicose vein area and the swollen and dilated blood vessels
- Eczema and itching
- Venous leg ulcers that can be very difficult to heal
Twisted and enlarged varicose veins cause various physical, but also cosmetic discomforts that can be quite limiting and also impair quality of life as one may avoid going out barefoot, to name one example. This is why many people choose to have their varicose veins treated.
Treatment methods to remove varicose veins
When the visible and enlarged varicose veins are so severe that it impairs the quality of life, it is a good idea to have them treated. The first step in removing varicose veins is a preliminary examination. During a preliminary examination, the legs are checked by ultrasound, which measures blood flow and shows any varicose veins. The preliminary examination will show which varicose vein treatment method will give the best result. The preliminary examination takes only 30 minutes to complete and does not cause any discomfort to the patient.
There are several different treatment methods that are minimally invasive and effectively remove varicose veins and swollen and dilated blood vessels.
Radiofrequency and laser treatment
In both radiofrequency and laser treatment, a thin catheter is inserted into the vein where the varicose veins are located and heat is released, causing the vein with varicose veins to close. This means that the blood then flows in other ways and the varicose vein disappears.
Foam treatment
A foam treatment to remove varicose veins involves injecting a medicine, called foam, into the diseased vein, which then closes the blood vessels and the varicose veins disappear.
Foam, radiofrequency and laser treatments remove the medical part of varicose veins. That is, the cosmetic part is not removed. If you want to remove the tortuous and swollen blood vessels, it requires a different type of treatment, known as a phlebectomy, also known as the crochet needle technique.
Phlebectomy
To remove the visible, swollen and dilated veins, which are the cosmetic part of varicose veins, a treatment method called phlebectomy - or crochet needle technique - is used. In this treatment, a very small incision is made where the dilated blood vessels are visible on the skin. A piece of the diseased blood vessel is then pulled out with a small hook, and this results in the disappearance of the visible varicose veins. This treatment method is often used in conjunction with laser and foam therapy.
Precautions for those who already have enlarged and swollen blood vessels
The enlarged and swollen blood vessels are caused by poor blood circulation. Therefore, it is important to keep blood circulation in mind if you want to reduce the symptoms and minimise the risk associated with enlarged and swollen blood vessels.
Blood circulation can be improved by:
- Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle
- Avoiding excess weight
- Quitting smoking
- Minimising alcohol intake
- Keeping your legs elevated
- Avoid prolonged sitting and standing
There is also an increased risk of varicose veins, and therefore enlarged and swollen blood vessels, during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the body weight increases significantly and the hormonal balance changes, and these sudden changes affect the blood circulation and put extra pressure on the blood vessels, which therefore become enlarged.
Many women find that the condition improves after pregnancy ends, but in some cases treatment is required to remove varicose veins and the swollen and dilated blood vessels.
Summary - Dilated and swollen veins
It is perfectly normal to have visible blood vessels on the body, but some people find that they have very swollen and dilated blood vessels on their legs. This could mean that they have varicose veins. Varicose veins occur when the circulation of blood is impaired because the function of the venous valves is inadequate, resulting in the blood flowing back at the valves and accumulating in pools. These pools of blood cause enlarged and swollen blood vessels which in turn can cause varicose veins. If you want to remove varicose veins and the thick and swollen veins, there are different treatment methods. Phlebectomy is used to remove the cosmetic part of varicose veins and this treatment removes the visible, swollen and dilated blood vessels.
A person who already has dilated and swollen blood vessels on their legs can take various precautions to minimise the risk of worsening the condition and increasing discomfort.
