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Varicose Veins What are Varicose Veins? The vascular system
can be described as a vast roadway leading to and from the heart. Nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood is transported throughout the body
by the arteries, and is then carried back to the heart via the veins. While blood-flow through arteries is assisted
by force created from the pumping of the heart, this force is much lower
in the veins. Additionally, particularly
in the legs, blood-flow in the veins must progress upwards, against the
force of gravity. To overcome
these difficulties, the veins contain a series of specialized one-way
valves that open to allow the blood to flow upwards and then shut to keep
the blood from flowing back downwards towards the feet. Varicose veins are
almost always caused by valve deterioration in the veins of the leg. Varicose veins tend to occur in superficial
veins, those veins closer to the surface of the skin. They can occur anywhere, but are most often found on the back of
the calf or on the inside of the leg or in the groin area. When the valves in veins do not function properly,
the blood leaks or flows backwards. Over
time, this puts pressure on the veins, causing them to stretch and dilate.
Varicose veins are
not uncommon - approximately 30% of people will develop them. Varicose veins are thought to occur more frequently
in women than in men. Factors
that increase the pressure on the legs can increase people's chance of
developing varicose veins. For
example, people who are overweight or who spend much of their day standing
are more likely to develop varicose veins. Varicose veins sometimes appear during pregnancy. Age and heredity are also risk factors for
developing varicose veins. The danger of varicose
veins is that the backflow of blood may result in the formation of a blood
clot, a condition called deep vein thrombosis.
How are Varicose Veins Diagnosed?
Varicose veins can
be diagnosed by looking at the legs. Varicose veins are enlarged and become dark purplish or blue in
color, and have a twisted or bulging appearance. Varicose veins can become very uncomfortable, causing swelling
as well as painful aching, throbbing or cramping in the feet and legs. A venous ultrasound
test may be necessary to determine the cause or severity of the condition,
and to see whether there are blood clots in the enlarged veins. What Treatment Options are Available for Varicose
Veins?
Most varicose veins
can be managed with non-surgical treatment.
Treatment includes wearing compression stockings, which apply a
steady squeezing to the legs to help the veins and leg muscles move blood
efficiently back toward the heart. Exercise,
elevating the legs when sitting, and avoiding long periods of standing
can also help the condition. Surgical treatment
may be needed if there is severe aching, infections or venous ulcers in
the legs related to the poor circulation. Many patients seek a surgical cure for cosmetic reasons as they
feel the veins are unsightly. Several procedures
are available to treat varicose veins. These include a minimally invasive procedure for removing varicose
veins called sclerotherapy and a more invasive surgical treatment for
particularly large varicose veins called ligation. Varicose Vein Ligation
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