Varicose veins are the enlarged and tortuous veins. The term is more commonly used for the enlarged veins of legs. However, these veins can occur elsewhere in the body.
Veins have leaflet valves inside them to prevent backwards flow of blood. In legs the leg muscles pump the blood towards heart. When the condition varicose veins develop the leaflet valves do not close properly and there is backwards flow of blood due to which the veins enlarge.
Being women, family history of varicose veins, obesity, pregnancy, menopause, old age, leg injury, prolonged standing and abdominal straining are the risk factors for varicose veins.
Dark purple or blue, twisted or bulged veins that cause leg pain, heaviness of the leg, inflammation of the ankle; spider veins in the affected area; reddening; drying and itching of the affected area (due to excess build up of metabolic waste products); skin of the affected area becomes brownish blue and shiny; even small injuries in the affected area bleed more than normal and takes longer to heal; sometimes shrinking of the skin above the ankle (due to drying of the fat); there may be white irregular scar like patches on the ankle (known as atrophie blanche) and restless leg syndrome are the symptoms of varicose veins.
Varicose veins are more common in leg veins where they cause pressure in standing position. There is pain due to varicose veins while standing or walking. There is itching due to varicose veins and ulcers may form due to scratching.
Elastic stockings, elevation of legs, avoiding tight cloths, avoiding standing for long times, losing weight, sclerotherapy and exercise are the non surgical treatments for varicose veins. Anti-inflammatory medications are also given. Vein stripping is the traditional surgical treatment for varicose veins. Other surgical methods are ambulatory phlebectomy and vein ligation. Radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser treatment are the newer treatments for varicose veins.
There may be pain, heaviness, dermatitis, venous ulcers near the ankle, sarcoma or carcinoma in the longstanding ulcers, blood clotting inside the affected veins (thrombophlebitis), acute fat necrosis and severe bleeding from small injury.
Serious complications due to varicose veins are caused very rarely.
If exercise, leg elevation and wearing compression stockings do not ease the pain then it is better to call the health care provider; Or for cosmetic reasons one can seek medical help.
Exercise, controlling body weight, eating high fiber and low salt diet, legs elevation and changing leg position frequently while standing or sitting can prevent varicose veins.
