Understanding Varicose Veins Development
The veins that are close to surface of the skin and look blue are called varicose veins. These veins are twisted and swollen. A vein is called varicose when it gets lengthened and swollen. These swollen and bulging muscles are found at the back side of the calf and on the inside part of legs between the ankle and the groin. The reason for development of varicose veins is vein walls that are weak and faulty valves in the veins. The one way valves in the veins help in efficient blood flow against gravity towards the heart and when these valves fail to function properly, blood pools which results in pressure build up and the veins become weak and twisted.
Varicose vein development may be more likely to occur in some people due to inherited characteristics and the process of aging. These veins may also result from those conditions that increase pressure on the veins in legs. These conditions can be pregnancy, overweight or conditions that require you to stand for a long time. Varicose veins are quite painful, especially when a person is standing or walking. The itching is caused in them and if you scratch them, you can develop ulcers. However, there are no serious complications. Now let us discuss the symptoms of varicose veins. Varicose veins can be seen through the skin and they appear swollen, dark blue and twisted. If you develop varicose veins, you may feel you legs too heavy, tired, painful and achy. The symptoms can even worsen if the person stands for long duration. Varicose veins can also lead to color changes, inflammation of skin, open sores, dry and thinned skin and bleeding after an injury. The skin may also become dark due to waste products that build up in the legs. In some cases, the skin above the ankle can shrink because the fat below the skin gets hard. There are certain conditions that increase the risk of development of varicose veins. These conditions include repeated pregnancies, growing age, family history of this state, low muscle mass and high amount of body fat reduces support for veins. Injury caused to the veins and blood clots are some other conditions that enhance the risk of varicose vein development. The treatment for varicose veins aims to minimize the symptoms and prevent complications. The best approach followed for the treatment of varicose veins that can also be done at home includes exercise, compression stockings, and elevation of legs. In case home treatment does not help, there are other treatment options also like vein surgery also called ligation and stripping is considered a standard treatment. It also ensures good results and involves less risk, less pain and less recovery time. Another option for treatment of varicose veins is laser treatment or radio frequency for which an experienced doctor should be referred. |
