Do you suffer from varicose veins? Are your varicose veins causing you problems? If you are unsure if you should seek medical treatment, there are signs and symptoms you should be aware of that could lead to more than just needed preventative care.
What Causes Varicose Veins
Varicose veins occur when your veins stop working correctly. Since veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing the wrong direction, when the valves fail, blood beings to collect in the vein instead of continuing toward your heart.
Varicose veins appear as bulging bluish or purplish veins that run beneath the surface of your skin. These visibly swollen and twisted veins mostly affect your legs and feet. Standing and walking increases the pressure on your lower body, causing you discomfort.
Who is at Risk for Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are most common in women, and around 25 percent of adults suffer from varicose veins.
- Pregnancy: volume of blood increases during pregnancy, hormonal changes can also play a role
- Obesity: puts added pressure on your veins
- Family history: higher chance you’ll develop them
- Strain/standing/sitting or long periods of time: blood doesn’t flow as well if you are in the same position for too long
- Age: causes wear and tear on the valves of your veins
What are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins
While some varicose veins are just a cosmetic issue, they can often be more than an unsightly problem.
- Leg discomfort accompanied by soreness and tightness
- Legs become achy
- Walking can become difficult because of cramping and lower leg swelling
- Itching around the affected area
- Inflamed veins can be tender to the touch and hinder circulation
- Skin can become discolored around the affected vein
What are the Complications from Varicose Veins
While most varicose veins won’t lead to complications, it can occur. You should call your doctor immediately if any of the following occurs:
- Ulcers: If your skin becomes flakey, discolored, and painful near your varicose vein, you could be developing stasis dermatitis. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic leg and skin infections.
- Blood Clots: If your varicose vein becomes red, warm, and tender, it could be a sign of phlebitis, which is caused by a blood clot in your vein. Call your doctor right away if this occurs
- Bleeding: Sometimes, the vein is close to the skin and can bursts. To control the bleeding, you should apply direct compression and elevate your leg. Usually, the bleeding is minor, but you should speak to a specialist if you are concerned, it could lead to potentially serious complications.
How Can You Manage Your Varicose Veins
While you can’t prevent varicose veins, there are ways you can improve your circulation and muscle tone. This may reduce your risk of needing to seek medical treatment. Some ways you can manage your varicose veins non-medically include:
- Wear compression stockings: designed to help your leg muscles move blood upward by providing compression
- Anti-inflammatory drug: help to alleviate swelling and pain
- Elevate your legs
- Eat a high-fiber and low salt diet
- Avoid wearing high heels and tight clothing
- Exercise
- Watch your weight
- Change your sitting and standing position often
If your varicose veins cause you serious complications, then you might need to seek surgical treatment options. These options might include:
- Sclerotherapy: The doctor injects a small to medium-sized varicose veins with foam treatment or a solution that causes the vein to collapse. The walls will no longer cause to transport blood, and in a few weeks, the vein should fade.
- Laser treatment: Doctors use light energy from a laser to close on smaller varicose veins. Gradually they will fade and disappear over time.
- Ablation with catheter: A catheter is inserted into the enlarged vein, using heat with radiofrequency waves or lasers, the heat destroys the vein causing it to collapse and seal shut.
- Ambulatory phlebectomy: Doctor removes smaller varicose veins through a serious of small skin punctures.
- High ligation and vein stripping: Doctor will tie off a vein before it joins a deep vein and then remove it through small incisions.
Final Thoughts
While varicose veins are unsightly, they could lead to more serious health complications. If you are unsure if your varicose veins require treatment, make sure to speak with your doctor about them.
