Varicose veins are a common condition that affects many adults.
According to statistics, this disease is more common in women than men. These veins appear in the legs and become more common with age.
Further in the article important facts about varicose veins are observed, appropriate pictures are given for a better understanding of how they look, how they are and how to treat them.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are abnormal dilated veins that most often develop in the legs. Usually blue, purple, or leather.
Looks like a dilated, twisted and swollen blood vessel that can stand out on the surface of the skin.
What are spider veins?
Spider vein (also called telangectasias or spider vein, vasculature) is a group of small blood vessels that develop near the surface of the skin.
Usually red, blue, or purple, and has a web-like appearance. The most common spider veins are found on the face and feet.
What leads to 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 one-way valve network to prevent blood flow.
For a variety of reasons, these valves can become damaged, causing blood to flow back into the veins. Blood stagnation further increases the pressure in the veins and weakens the walls of blood vessels.
Later, due to blood stagnation and expansion of the affected blood vessels, arachnoid and varicose veins develop.
The reasons for its development?
There are many different risk factors that increase a person's chances of developing varicose veins.
This includes:
- old age,
- standing or sitting for a long time,
- obesity,
- pregnancy,
- hormone therapy,
- take birth control pills,
- injury,
- previous venous surgery,
- history of venous thrombosis,
- family history.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Varicose veins often show no other symptoms and signs other than the appearance of unwanted cosmetics. However, some people may experience certain symptoms of varicose veins.
Symptoms may include:
- edema,
- throbbing sensation
- pain pain,
- burning sensation,
- itching,
- severity,
- tingling or cramps in the legs.
These symptoms often get worse after sitting or standing for a long time. Individuals can also develop 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 bottom of the foot. Sometimes they can cause the development of soft tissue infections.
- Blood clots in the veins (superficial thrombophlebitis) develop.
- Possible bleeding from veins.
Diagnostics of vascular network and varicose veins of the legs
The presence of varicose veins of the foot can be diagnosed by a thorough examination of the affected area, which, as a rule, is located in the foot.
Examination consists of visual examination and palpation of problem areas. Particular attention is paid to areas with redness, swelling, discoloration of the skin and trophic ulcers.
Home Treatment
There are various methods you can use at home to help relieve some of your symptoms should they appear. This conservative method can also help prevent possible complications.
Compression stockings
Compression stockings are a simple home treatment step to help relieve foot symptoms.
They increase blood circulation by increasing pressure on the legs. These socks come in a variety of types and strengths of compression. Your doctor may recommend the right partner for you. Usually sold in pharmacies.
Lifestyle changes
A regular exercise and weight loss program can help relieve the symptoms of arachnid and varicose veins.
Affected people should avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time and lifting the legs while sitting or sleeping to improve circulation and reduce swelling of the legs.
Sclerotherapy
Sometimes conservative treatment of varicose veins at home may not give the desired results. In this case, more specific medical procedures can be performed, depending on the location and size of the abnormal veins.
This medical procedure is often performed for cosmetic reasons.
Sclerotherapy is a common technique that doctors can perform; it is very effective in removing most of the spider veins and some varicose veins.
During this procedure, which does not require anesthesia, the doctor injects the liquid solution directly into the affected vein, causing it to stick and eventually disappear. Various sessions may be required to achieve optimal results. Potential side effects include bruising, swelling, bleeding, infection, and discoloration of the skin.
Sclerotherapy: before and after
Sclerotherapy treatment may require several sessions and the healing time may vary from person to person.
In general, spider veins begin to disappear within 3-6 weeks after treatment, whereas varicose veins may take several months to repair.
Laser treatment of varicose veins
Laser therapy is another alternative medical procedure that can also be performed by a doctor. It is sometimes used in addition to sclerotherapy to maximize results. This technique is most effective for spider veins and small varicose veins.
For patients who are afraid of needles, laser therapy provides alternative treatment options, although doctors can advise which treatment is best for your particular condition.
Laser therapy uses focused light beams that heat the affected blood vessels, which eventually disappear.
Potential side effects include slight redness or swelling around the treated area, discoloration of the skin, blisters, and scarring.
Laser therapy is a newly developed method of treating varicose veins, in which the affected area is treated with light pulses from different distances.
Laser therapy: before and after the procedure
Like sclerotherapy, many laser sessions are often required to achieve optimal results. Improvements may last from a few weeks to a few months after treatment.
Vein surgery
Surgery is a treatment option for more severe cases of varicose veins. Your doctor will discuss with you various possible surgical procedures to help you determine which varicose vein treatment is best for you. One of the surgical methods is to bandage the vein and remove it through a small incision in the skin.
Vein surgery: before and after treatment
Ligation and vein removal often successfully relieves the symptoms and cosmetic problems of varicose veins. The operation is performed under local, spinal or general anesthesia at the hospital.
Complete recovery from this surgery usually takes about 2-4 weeks. Potential complications 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 conductor inserted into the affected vein, causing it to narrow.
Intravenous laser therapy has an initial success rate of 98%. This procedure is performed outpatiently under local anesthesia or a mild sedative.
Patients report less pain and faster recovery with intravenous laser therapy than with ligament and vein removal through surgery.
Radio frequency blurring
Intravenous radio frequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure similar to intravenous laser therapy.
Instead of using a laser beam, a catheter inserted into a vein uses radio frequency energy, which heats up and narrows the affected vessel.
Like intravenous laser therapy, patients report less pain and faster recovery than ligation and surgical removal of the vein.
Prevention of varicose veins
While varicose veins are not always preventable, there are various methods you can use to reduce your chances of developing them.
Prevention tips include:
- Exercise regularly;
- Maintain a healthy weight;
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time;
- Avoid pinching your feet while sitting;
- Lift your legs higher when resting;
- Do not wear clothing that is close to your waist, groin and legs.
Dear friends. This article is not a medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for consulting a doctor.