Varicose vein is caused due to twisting of the veins present in your legs just underneath the skin which can be painful and non-painful as well. Through this blog, we will learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and home...
Varicosities is the other name for varicose veins, in this condition the veins present beneath the skin of your legs become swollen and twisted. Varicose veins usually occur in the legs but it can also affect any blood vessels that are present in the superficial layers of the skin of any body parts. The varicose veins that occur in the rectum are commonly called hemorrhoids. When small blood vessels are varicose, it is known as spider veins or telangiectasis. When the veins of the scrotum are swollen, it is known as varicocele.
The legs are affected by varicose veins as the pressure in the veins present in the lower body is increased due to prolonged standing and walking. Varicose veins are often misunderstood as a cosmetic concern, but, varicose veins can cause discomfort and aching pain or can even lead to severe problems as well. The treatment for varicose veins mostly focuses on the involvement of exercising, leading an active lifestyle, raising legs, or wearing compression stockings. Sometimes an invasive procedure might be needed to remove or close the veins.
What Is the Difference Between Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?
The similarity between the spider veins and varicose veins lies in the fact that both of the abnormalities are classified as venous diseases, but the major difference lies in their appearance. Spider veins are considerably thinner and smaller in size than the physical representation of varicose veins. The spider veins are basically smaller and thinner versions of the varicose veins. Spider veins usually cause pain while varicose veins can be painless. The spider veins can manifest anywhere in your body like behind your knee, on your face, or on your feet, whereas, the varicose veins affect your feet and legs.
What Are the Causes of Varicose Veins
When the functioning of the veins are affected and they are not in their proper shape, the varicose vein is caused. In varicose veins, blood starts to collect in the body parts which usually is prevented by the valves that are present in the veins. The valves allow a one-way blood flow from body parts to the heart. Any fault in the valves causes blood collection in the veins that break the continuity of blood toward your heart. The blood pooling enlarges the veins. Varicose veins affecting legs are naturally away from your heart, and the blood is flowing against gravity which makes it harder for the stagnant blood to flow upward.
Other potential causes for varicose veins
- Pregnancy induces varicose veins as the blood volume is increased during pregnancy, and the veins are also enlarged to carry more blood to the baby.
- Post menopause state changes hormone profile that might lead to varicositis
- After 50 years of age varicose veins is more likely to happen. Due to aging, the valve become flaccid and worn out, that causes some amount of blood to flow bacwards, causing varcose veins.
- standing for long periods or siting for long periods can affect the blood flow, thereby causing varicose veins.
- Due to obesity, there is more pressure that is put on the veins, which can add into the possibility of having varicose veins.
- Chances of getting affected with varicose veins are increased when there is a family history of varicose veins
What are the risk factors for varicose veins?
Varicose vein is caused when there is an increase in pressure in the veins.
Factors increasing chances of varicose veins:
- Overweight
- Aging
- Female gender
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Injury to legs
- State of pregnancy
- Excessive smoking habits
- Taking hormone replacement therapies like contraceptive pills
What Are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins
The evident mishappen and discoloration in your legs are the primary symptoms of varicose veins. Pain, heaviness, swelling, and achiness are felt over or around the varicose-affected veins which are enlarged veins.
Mild cases of varicose veins involve discoloration and pain but the severe cases can show significant bleed and ulcer formations.
Symptoms of Non-painful Varicose Veins Include:
- The varicose veins can be detected on visual analysis, the affected veins can have dark purple or blue discoloration. Although it can be of the same color as that of the skin. The discoloration can help in the diagnosis of varicose veins.
- Varicose veins usually look like twisted and bulging cords on your legs, thereby helping in the diagnosis.
Symptoms of Painful Varicose Veins Might Include:
- The legs might feel achy or heavy.
- You might feel burning and throbbing in the legs
- You might encounter swellings and muscle cramping in your lower legs.
- After prolonged sitting and standing, worse pain is felt in the legs.
- Varicose veins can be itchy in certain areas.
- Obvious skin color discolorations can be appreciated around a varicose vein.
Symptoms of Spider Veins
Spider veins have a similar appearance as that of varicose veins, although there is a difference in their appearance majorly in the size, the spider veins are relatively smaller and thinner than varicose veins. Additionally, spider veins lie closer to the skin's superficial layers. The spider veins vary in size and look like a spider's web. Spider veins can occur anywhere on the skin in your body like on the legs or the face.
How to Diagnose Varicose Veins
The primary diagnosis of varicose veins is made with physical examination during the examination your legs are examined for the visible signs of swelling, bulging, and discoloration of veins while you are sitting or standing. While examining, you might be asked for symptoms you’re having like pain.
A specialized ultrasound scan known as duplex ultrasound is used that helps in checking the blood flowing through your veins. The ultrasound scan is a non-invasive diagnostic test that operates using high-frequency sound waves.
A venogram test helps in the further analysis of your veins. A special dye is used for the venogram test that is injected into your legs. After contrast administration, X-rays of the suspected area are taken. The dye appears on the X-rays, which provides information on blood flow in your veins.
Ultrasounds or venogram tests are also proven to help provide information about existing disorders like blockages or blood clots to rule out the cause of the pain and swelling in your legs.
Home Remedies for Varicose Veins
home remedies that can improve pain and prevent their varicose veins from worsening may include:
- Regular exercising
- Keeping BMI in normal healthy ranges, by controlling weight
- raising the legs for some time while sitting or lying down
- Avoiding sitting or standing for long period of time.
Some natural treatments, over-the-counter drugs, topical creams, and emollients are. They can help promote comfort and soothe pain. The visual appearance of varicose veins is improved with these modalities.
Compression stocking also helps in relieving symptoms and signs of varicose veins.
What Are the Complications of Varicose Veins?
Complications of varicose veins may include:
- Phlebitis which signifies the inflammation and swelling in the veins
- Clots of blood in the vessels and circulation
Can Varicose Veins Be Prevented?
Prevention of varicose veins-
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Doing Exercising on a regular basis
- Keeping legs up for some time while sitting or lying
- Not to cross legs while sitting
- Tight clothing or tight stockings other than compression stockings should be prevented
- High-fibre and low-salt diet should be consumed
How To Treat Varicose Veins?
Treatment of varicose vein includes-
- Legs elevation 3-4 times a day while sitting or lying down
- Wearing compression stockings daily that squeeze veins and prevent the pooling of blood.
- The most common treatmnet for varicose veins is sclerotherapy. It includes injection of salt saline or chemicals into the varicose veins to empty the blood from them.
- Thermal ablation using radio frequencies for varicose vein treatment
- Surgically removing the varicose vein known as vein stripping
- Microphlebectomy can be done with or without vein stripping.
Conclusion
A varicose vein is often a bluish discoloration of veins that have become swollen and painful. It mostly affects the lower limbs of an individual. The diagnosis of varicose veins can be made using a duplex ultrasound technique and physical examination. The best diagnostic center offers timely report delivery and a cost-friendly diagnostic modality.
