Varicose Veins Specialist

VARICOSE VEINS OVERVIEW

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are generally enlarged, swollen and twisted veins, often appearing bluish or dark purplish in color. They are caused when faulty valves in the veins allow the blood to flow backwards or in the wrong direction resulting in pooling of blood. The most commonly affected areas are those in the legs and feet. Mainly because, standing upright or walking increases the pressure in the veins of the lower body.

More than 23 percent of the adults are at the risk of getting affected by varicose veins. It may also increase the risk of other circulatory problems. Treatment may include self care measures and surgical or non-surgical measures by Doctor.

SYMPTOMS & CAUSES

In majority of the cases, pain may not be included as one of the signs or symptoms of varicose vein. However, some of the other symptoms may include the following:

How are varicose veins and spider veins treated?

• Veins may look twisted, swollen and bulging and may turn blue or dark purple
• Aching in legs, heaviness in the legs, especially after exercise or at night
• A minor injury may result in longer bleeding than normal in the affected area
• The fat under the skin just above the ankle can become hard resulting in the shrinking of the skin leading to Lipodermatosclerosis.
• Telangiectasia in the affected leg, i.e., Spider veins.
• Shiny skin discoloration near the varicose veins, usually brownish or blue in colour may appear.
• Skin in the affected area becomes red, dry and itchy causing Venous Eczema / Statis Dermatitis
• Appearance of irregular whitish patches that look like scars appear at the ankles causing Atrophie Blanche.



The causes for Varicose veins can be numerous such as:

• Old age can lead to varicose veins when the veins lose elasticity causing them to stretch. The valves, thus, may become weak, allowing blood that should be moving towards the heart to flow backwards.
• Pregnancy can be another reason. It increases the volume of blood in the body, but decreases the flow of blood from legs to pelvis to facilitate the growth of foetus, but this has the side effect of providing enlarged veins in legs. Varicose veins that develop during pregnancy generally improve without medical treatment three to 12 months after delivery.

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

For the diagnosis of varicose veins, a physical examination by the doctor may be conducted, including those of legs while on a standing position to check for swellings. An ultra-sound may also be required to see if the valves in the veins are functioning normally or if there is any evidence of clotting of blood. In a non – invasive test, a technician runs a small hand-held device (transducer), almost about the size of a bar of soap, against the skin over the area of body being examined. The transducer than transmit the images of the veins in your legs to a monitor for analysis.

Fortunately, there are numerous treatment procedures to treat varicose veins as listed below:

• Self care – such as exercising, weight loss, avoiding tight clothes, elevation of legs, avoiding longer periods of standing can ease pain.
• Wearing Compression Stocking steadily squeezes the legs, helping the leg muscles move blood more efficiently.
• Sclerotherapy wherein doctor injects small and medium sized varicose veins with a solution that scars and closes the veins
• Foam Sclerotherapy of large veins wherein a foam solution is also a possible treatment to close a vein.
• Laser surgery is the most innovative approach to close off smaller varicose and spider veins. It works by sending strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes it to slowly fade and disappear.
• Catheter assisted procedure wherein the doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) into an enlarged vein and heats the tip of the catheter using either radiofrequency or laser energy. As the catheter is pulled out, the heat destroys the vein by causing it to collapse.
• High ligation and vein stripping involves tying off a vein before it joins a deep vein and removing the vein through small incisions
• Ambulatory Phlebectomy wherein the doctor removes smaller varicose veins through a series of tiny skin punctures.
• Endoscopic Vein Surgery is required only in an advanced case involving leg ulcers if other techniques fail.

PREVENTION

Varicose vein problems can be prevented by taking certain measures, such as:

• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods. When sitting, avoid crossing legs. Keeping legs raised when sitting, resting, or sleeping.
• Physical activities can help to get the legs moving and improve muscle tone.
• Losing weight in case of over weight or obese people will improve the blood flow and ease the pressure on your veins
• Avoid wearing tight clothes around waist, groin (upper thighs) and legs.
• Avoid wearing high heels for long periods.
• Wear compression stockings if recommended