For many, varicose veins can cause mild pain and discomfort, which can be a limitation in daily life. In this article, we will delve into what varicose veins are, why they occur, and what symptoms are associated with them.
Varicose veins are common, with up to thirty percent of the population either having or developing varicose veins at some point in their lives. Many find varicose veins unattractive because they are often very visible, thick blue veins that bulge out on the skin.
What are Varicose Veins?
The word varicose veins can cause some confusion because many believe it refers to a knot in the vein - but this is not true. A varicose vein is a pool of blood that has collected in a vein. The reason for this blood pooling will be described here:
Venous Valves
In our veins, we have valves that help regulate blood flow so that blood does not flow in the wrong direction but is instead pumped towards the heart to be oxygenated.
Defective Venous Valves
As with the rest of the body, venous valves wear out with age. If the venous valves are worn or defective, they cannot regulate blood circulation, resulting in blood flowing back down into the vein, creating high pressure on the vein. This, in turn, causes blood to pool, leading to varicose veins.
Varicose veins affect every third adult and can occur in anyone, but they often appear in people who are older, pregnant, or overweight. This is due to the fact that the veins in older people are more worn out and in a pregnant woman, the veins are under great pressure due to extra weight and altered hormone balance. In people who are overweight, blood circulation is often poor, and this negatively affects the function of the venous valves.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
For those with varicose veins, symptoms and symptoms will vary. Some people barely notice they have varicose veins, while for others, they are a major inconvenience that can reduce quality of life. The issues caused by varicose veins can include tired, heavy, and restless legs, which can cause cramps, especially at night.
If you have had varicose veins for a long time and they have not been treated, some of the symptoms may include:
- Eczema
- Skin pigmentation around the varicose veins
- Venous leg ulcers
- Thrombophlebitis
- Deep vein thrombosis
Poor blood circulation over a long period will affect the skin around the area with varicose veins. Eczema, thicker skin, and discoloration are common. In more severe cases, varicose veins can also cause venous leg ulcers on the lower leg or ankle. A venous leg ulcer can be as large as a palm and so difficult to heal that it requires separate treatment.
Another serious side effect of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis, which is a blood clot in a superficial vein. If this blood clot dislodges and travels with the blood towards the heart, it can get stuck in the lungs, and this is a very serious condition.
How to Avoid Serious Symptoms of Varicose Veins?
The symptoms of varicose veins are all related to poor blood circulation, and the risk of symptoms is related to how long the varicose veins have been untreated. To reduce symptoms of varicose veins, one can improve blood circulation through:
- A healthy and active lifestyle
- Venous pump exercises
- Compression stockings
- Avoiding sitting or standing still for extended periods
By keeping these different measures in mind, one can reduce the risk of serious symptoms from varicose veins.
Treatment of Varicose Veins
A person who has varicose veins with symptoms that are so bothersome that they impair quality of life may choose to treat the varicose veins. The first step towards treatment is a preliminary examination with ultrasound where the blood's speed is checked.
A preliminary examination is done at the Varicose Vein Clinics and takes about thirty minutes to complete. After the preliminary examination, the doctor will discuss different treatment options with the patient.
There are several good treatments for varicose veins that are simple and minimally invasive.
Laser Treatment: In a laser treatment, a catheter is inserted into the damaged vein, after which a laser is placed in the catheter and then slowly pulled out. The heat from the laser causes the damaged vein to close, and the varicose veins with symptoms disappear.
Foam Treatment: In a foam treatment to remove varicose veins with symptoms, a medication is injected into the damaged vein. This medication causes the vein to close, the blood finds other paths, and the varicose vein disappears.
Phlebectomy: To treat the cosmetic problems of varicose veins, i.e., the thick veins that swell on the skin, a so-called crochet needle technique, also called phlebectomy, is used. Here, a small incision is made in the skin where the vein lies, after which a piece of the damaged vein is pulled out. This treatment form is often used together with laser treatment.
These treatment methods are effective ways to remove varicose veins, thereby also limiting the symptoms of varicose veins.
