Varicose veins are a common condition that affects many adults.
According to statistics, this disease develops in women more often than in men. These veins appear on the legs and become more common with age.
Later in the article, important facts about varicose veins are noted, the corresponding photos are given for a better understanding of what they look like, what they are and how to treat them.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are abnormally dilated veins that develop most often in the legs. Usually blue, purple, or skin-colored.
Looks like dilated, twisted, and bulging blood vessels that may protrude from the surface of the skin.
What are spider veins?
Spider veins (also called telangectasias or spider veins, vasculature) are a collection of tiny blood vessels that develop near the surface of the skin.
They are usually red, blue or purple in color and have a net-like appearance. The most common spider veins are found on the face and legs.
What causes the development of varicose veins?
Varicose veins are caused by structural abnormalities in the blood vessels.
Veins carry blood from various parts of the body back to the heart. They have a series of one-way valves to prevent backflow of blood.
For a variety of reasons, these valves can be damaged, causing blood to flow into the veins. Increased stagnation of blood increases the pressure within the vein and weakens the wall of the blood vessels.
Then, due to stagnation of blood and expansion of affected blood vessels, arachnoid and varicose veins develop.
The reasons for development?
There are many different risk factors that increase a person's chances of developing varicose veins.
These include:
- old age,
- standing or sitting for a long time,
- obesity,
- pregnancy,
- hormone therapy,
- taking birth control pills
- injuries,
- anterior vein surgery,
- history of venous thrombosis,
- family history.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Varicose veins often show no symptoms and signs other than their undesirable cosmetic appearance. However, some people may experience certain symptoms of varicose veins.
Symptoms can include:
- edema,
- stinging sensation
- aching pain,
- burning sensation
- itching,
- gravity,
- tingling or cramps in the legs.
These symptoms tend to get worse after prolonged sitting or standing. Individuals can also develop a brown skin color and eventually trophic ulcers.
Complications of varicose veins
If varicose veins are not treated, this can lead to the following:
- Trophic skin ulcers develop. These open wounds usually appear on the lower leg. Sometimes they can lead to the development of a soft tissue infection.
- Blood clots develop within the veins (superficial thrombophlebitis).
- Possible bleeding from the veins.
Diagnosis of the vascular network and varicose veins of the legs
The presence of varicose veins in the legs can be diagnosed by a careful examination of the affected area, which is usually found on the legs.
The examination consists of a visual examination and palpation of the problem area. Particular attention is paid to areas of redness, swelling, skin discoloration, and trophic ulcers.
Home Treatment
There are several methods you can apply at home to help alleviate some of your symptoms if they appear. These conservative methods can also help prevent possible complications.
Compression stockings
Compression stockings are a simple home treatment measure to help relieve leg symptoms.
They improve blood circulation by increasing the pressure on the legs. These stockings come in different types and compressive strengths. Your doctor can recommend a suitable pair for you. It is generally sold in pharmacies.
Lifestyle changes
A regular exercise and weight loss program can help relieve the symptoms of arachnids and varicose veins.
Affected people should avoid standing or sitting for prolonged periods and lifting their legs while sitting or sleeping to improve circulation and reduce leg swelling.
Sclerotherapy
Sometimes, conservative treatment of varicose veins at home may not give the desired results. In these cases, more specialized medical procedures may be performed, depending on the location and size of the abnormal veins.
These medical procedures are often done for cosmetic reasons.
Sclerotherapy is a common technique that a physician can perform; It is very effective in removing most spider veins and some varicose veins.
During this procedure, which does not require anesthesia, the doctor injects a liquid solution directly into the affected vein, causing it to stick and eventually disappear. Several sessions may be necessary to achieve optimal results. Possible side effects include bruising, swelling, bleeding, infection, and skin discoloration.
Sclerotherapy: before and after
Sclerotherapy treatment may require several sessions and healing time may vary from person to person.
In general, spider veins begin to disappear 3-6 weeks after treatment, while varicose veins can take several months to improve.
Laser treatment of varicose veins
Laser therapy is another alternative medical procedure that can also be performed by a physician. It is sometimes used in addition to sclerotherapy to maximize results. This technique is most effective for spider veins and small varicose veins.
For those patients who fear needles, laser therapy provides an alternative treatment option, although a doctor can advise on the best treatment for your particular situation.
Laser therapy uses a focused beam of light that heats up the affected blood vessel, which eventually disappears.
Possible side effects include slight redness or swelling around the treated area, skin discoloration, blisters, and rarely scarring.
Laser therapy is a recently developed treatment for varicose veins, in which the affected area is treated with pulses of light of different ranges.
Laser therapy: before and after the procedure
As with sclerotherapy, multiple laser sessions are often required to achieve optimal results. Improvement can take from several weeks to several months after treatment.
Vein surgery
Surgery is a treatment option for the most severe cases of varicose veins. Your doctor will discuss the various possible surgical procedures with you to help you decide which varicose vein treatment is best for you. One of the surgical methods is to bandage the veins and remove them through small incisions in the skin.
Vein surgery: before and after treatment
Vein ligation and stripping often successfully alleviates the symptoms and cosmetic problems of varicose veins. This operation is performed under local, spinal, or general anesthesia in a hospital.
Full recovery from this surgery usually takes 2-4 weeks. Possible complications can include infection, bleeding, scarring, nerve damage, deep vein thrombosis, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
Intravenous laser therapy
Intravenous laser therapy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves laser irradiation through a thin wire that is inserted into the affected vein, causing it to narrow.
Intravenous laser therapy has an initial success rate of 98%. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia or light sedation.
Patients report less pain and faster recovery with intravenous laser therapy compared to surgical ligation and vein removal.
Radiofrequency ablation
Intravenous radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure similar to intravenous laser therapy.
Instead of using laser light, a catheter inserted into a vein uses radio frequency energy, which heats and narrows the affected vessel.
As with intravenous laser therapy, patients report less pain and faster recovery compared to surgical ligation and vein removal.
Prevention of varicose veins
Although varicose veins cannot always be prevented, there are several methods you can take to reduce your chances of developing them.
Prevention tips include:
- Regular exercise;
- Maintain a healthy weight;
- Avoid sitting or standing for a long time;
- Avoid pinching your legs while sitting;
- Elevate your legs higher when resting;
- Do not wear clothing that constricts your body around your waist, groin, and legs.
Dear friends. This article is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for consulting a physician.