Varicose veins are visible, protruding veins that appear just under the skin. The word "varicose" comes from the Latin root varix for "twisted." The veins may occur in clusters that look like spider webs. They may also be large, single veins that are easily visible, especially when standing. They’re most often seen on people’s legs, especially their calves, and are made up of stretched, expanded, or twisted veins. The blood flow in these veins has been slowed down or reversed.
Up to 20% of the adult population has some form of varicose veins. They appear between the ages of 30 and 70, and they usually get worse with age.
Varicose veins occur 2 to 3 times more often in women than in men. Family history is also a risk factor for varicose veins.
Doctors aren’t sure of the exact cause of varicose veins because of the complex nature of veins, the body’s blood circulation system, and other body processes that affect the way veins work.
What’s known for sure is that the valves that push blood through the varicose veins stop working properly, causing blood to collect in areas in the veins. The veins then expand and the blood in them begins flowing in reverse. Evidence suggests varicose veins may be veins that are naturally weak, a condition that could be inherited. This could explain why varicose veins seem to run in families.
Other factors can make varicose veins appear or get worse:
More rarely, varicose veins can be symptoms of serious health problems, such as tumours in the pelvis.
Varicose veins can’t be cured, but they can be successfully treated. Treatment concentrates on relieving pain and managing complications. People who have obvious spider veins want to make the veins less noticeable, often through a cosmetic procedure. Wearing lightweight compression hosiery (stockings) can stop the pain from small, mild varicose veins altogether. Heavier elastic support stockings, knee-length or thigh-length, can also be worn if you have advanced varicose veins.
Sclerotherapy is a procedure that involves injecting a concentrated saline or chemical solution into the vein. The sclerosing (hardening) solution causes the vein to close up or collapse and become scar tissue. This causes blood to flow only to the non-varicose veins. This is only effective for smaller varicose veins, and people often develop new varicose veins after the procedure.
Many veins can be injected during a single visit. Several injection sessions are usually required to effectively close a vein, and it usually takes a few weeks for healing to occur after each injection.
A dermatologist or vein specialist usually performs sclerotherapy. It causes little discomfort.
Allergic reactions to sclerotherapy are rare. Scarring can occur and a brown blemishing of the skin may appear. It usually fades, but in some cases, it can be permanent. Some superficial varicose veins can be treated with a laser.
Varicose veins can also be treated by surgery. Your doctor may suggest surgery if you:
Physicians who recommend extensive surgery may "strip" deeper veins in the legs while removing as many of the swollen, twisted varicose veins as possible. A few isolated varicose veins may continue to be bothersome after surgery, but these can usually be treated with injections.
Other treatment options include:
Here are some things you can do to help prevent varicose veins:
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Varicose-Veins
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