Varicose veins: definition, symptoms, causes and treatment

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Varicose veins definition

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins on the surface of the skin. Veins are responsible for carrying oxygen-low blood from cells and tissues back to the heart. There, the blood will be "exchanged" with blood full of oxygen.

These vein problems can occur anywhere in your body, such as the esophagus, stomach, and liver. In fact, it can also occur in the penis and this is known as varicocele. However, it most commonly occurs on the feet, which gives a vein-like appearance that protrudes from the surface of the skin.

Generally, mild varicose veins are usually harmless. However, sometimes it can also hamper your daily activities due to worsening symptoms. In this case, a doctor's treatment is needed so that further complications do not occur.

The presence of varicose veins can also be a sign of certain health problems, one of which is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which is disruption of blood flow from leg veins to the heart.

How common is this condition?

Varicose veins are a very common condition. Nearly 30% of adults have this problem, especially the elderly, women, people who are overweight, and people whose activities take a long time to stand up.

Signs & symptoms of varicose veins

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the signs and symptoms of varicose veins that are commonly experienced are:

• The appearance of fibers or purple-blue streaks on the surface of the skin. In other types of varicose veins, namely spider veins, the fibers are smaller and resemble spider webs.
• In mild cases of varicose veins, it may not be painful. However, some people may also experience pain or achiness in their legs, especially after standing or sitting for long periods of time.
• Veins can be seen bulging and swelling along the thighs, ankles, or knees.
• The skin feels itchy, especially in the lower leg and ankle area. In addition, the surface of the affected skin area is often bluish red or brownish, a sign of static dermatitis.
• There is a change in skin color, the skin becomes thinner, and a wound or soft tissue infection forms near the ankle.
• The leg or area where the veins are swollen feels a throbbing or cramping.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

For many people, varicose veins are a condition that is an aesthetic problem, which makes their appearance less pleasing to the eye. However, for others, varicose veins can cause serious symptoms and problems.

If you are worried about a health condition or home remedies are ineffective, you should go to a doctor or hospital for a checkup.

Causes of varicose veins

The cause of varicose veins is weakening of the venous valve and the inability to hold the accumulation of blood. This disease is neither contagious nor inherited. However, varicose veins usually run in one family.

Initially, the veins are in charge of carrying blood from body tissues to the heart. These blood vessels have one-way valves that help keep blood flowing to your heart.

If the valve is weak or damaged, blood can come back and pool in your veins. This causes the veins to swell, bulge, and become visible on the surface of the skin.

Varicose veins risk factors

Varicose veins is a disease that can affect anyone. However, in some people, the risk of varicose veins may be higher than others and is usually factored by the following things:

Family history

Having a family member with this problem can increase your risk of having varicose veins. Nearly half of people with varicose veins are family members who have a similar problem.

Increasing age

The risk of problems with these veins can increase with age. As you get older, the blood vessels and valves will weaken. Its function will worsen so that it can cause swelling in the veins.

Female gender

Women tend to experience vein problems more often than men. Hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause (or use of birth control pills) can increase a woman's risk of developing these conditions.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the growth of the fetus puts pressure on the blood vessels in the mother's legs. That is why varicose veins often occur in pregnant women. Fortunately, varicose veins are a condition that can improve within 3-12 months of giving birth.

Overweight or obesity

Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for varicose veins, as it can put extra pressure on your blood vessels. This can cause veins to swell and cause problems.

Not active

Standing or sitting for long periods of time, especially with your legs bent or crossed, can increase your risk of varicose veins. This is because staying in one position for a long time can force your blood vessels to work harder to pump blood to your heart.

Have had trauma to the leg

Having had a previous blood clot or traumatic damage to the valve in a blood vessel can weaken the vessel's ability to move blood back to the heart. This can increase the risk of developing problems in the veins.

Varicose complications

Varicose veins can be mild, they can worsen over time and cause complications. The following are various complications that may occur due to varicose veins:

• Ulcer (wound). Sores can form in areas of the skin near varicose veins, especially if they occur around the ankles. Initially, it will form a lump which changes color over time.
• Blood clotting. When it occurs around the legs, blood vessels can swell and cause pain. This swelling indicates a blood clot and is known as thrombophlebitis.
• Bleeding. Sometimes blood vessels that are very close to the affected skin can burst. This condition will cause minor bleeding.

Varicose veins medication & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

One of the ways to diagnose varicose veins is by doing a physical examination. The doctor will look at your feet when you stand up to check for any swelling. Your doctor may also ask you to describe aches and pains in your leg.

Ultrasound tests may also be needed to see if the valves in your blood vessels are functioning normally or if there is evidence of blood clots.

There is also plethysmography, which uses a blood pressure cuff to measure changes in blood volume, which can help spot problems such as abnormal blood flow.

After reviewing all the information, the doctor can tell you which vein treatment will be most effective. Sometimes, more than one type of treatment will be recommended to give the best results and reduce side effects.

What are the treatment options for varicose veins?

The myth of varicose veins that circulates says that varicose veins are a harmless disease that does not need to be treated. This is not entirely untrue, especially if varicose veins are causing pain, blood clots, skin sores, or other problems.

If this happens, your doctor may recommend one or more medical procedures. Some people choose to have this procedure to improve the appearance of their blood vessels or to relieve pain.

Treatment of varicose veins is with lifestyle changes and medical procedures. The goals of varicose veins treatment are to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and improve appearance. Some of the ways to treat varicose veins medically are:

Compression stockings

These stockings provide steady pressure to help move blood back to your heart. The steady pressure also reduces swelling in the lower leg and reduces the risk of blood clots. However, you still have visible leg veins.

If you need compression stockings, your dermatologist can examine you so that you get the right size and the right amount of pressure.

Sclerotherapy

This is the most common treatment for varicose veins. Sclerotherapy causes the walls of the veins to stick together so that blood can no longer flow. This improves circulation to problem areas and reduces swelling.

Today, dermatologists use it to treat spider veins and small varicose veins. If you are doing this varicose veins treatment, the treatments are:

• Your dermatologist will inject medicine into the area of ​​the vein that is swollen.
• After the injection, your dermatologist can massage the area.
• Then, you are asked to wear compression stockings on your legs.

To prevent possible side effects, you should walk every day and wear compression stockings as directed. Most patients wear compression stockings for 2-6 weeks. You can return to work and most activities the next day.

After doing this treatment, usually spider veins will disappear in 3 or 6 weeks. While varicose veins take 3-4 months to disappear. For best results, you may need 2 or 3 treatments.

Laser treatment

This treatment is done by directing a laser beam at the swollen vein. These rays can shrink blood vessels without damaging the affected skin.

After this exposure, you should wear compression stockings and protect the area from sun exposure for 3 to 4 weeks. The goal, so that black spots do not form on the skin affected by the laser.

Recently a therapy is being developed endovenous laser (EVLT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Both work by removing swollen veins. EVLT is usually recommended for treating spider veins and mild varicose veins that affect small blood vessels.

Operation

Apart from the above procedures, the doctor may also recommend varicose veins surgery. This is done if the problematic vein is large, so it is necessary to undergo ligation surgery. The side effect of this treatment is that it allows for a small scar.

Treatment of varicose veins at home

Apart from doctor's treatment, changing your lifestyle is the key so that varicose veins can disappear. Not only helps with treatment, lifestyle changes for the better can prevent the formation of problems in veins and reduce unpleasant symptoms.

Here are the lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with varicose veins:

Wear compression stockings

These stockings help improve blood circulation in the legs, wrists, and other parts of the body. Compression stockings are made of flexible fabric that stretches when worn.

Exercise routine

Certain types of exercise can improve blood circulation in the legs. Your doctor may recommend a 3o minute walk, 5 times a week. Avoid running, lifting weights, or doing yoga, which can increase swelling in your feet or hands.

Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time. This habit can cause blood in the veins to collect in the leg area, worsening the symptoms of varicose veins.

For this reason, rest often with your legs straightened after long periods of standing or moving your legs to make blood flow more smoothly.

Maintain normal weight

Being overweight can increase the risk of developing varicose veins in your legs. In order to keep your weight under control, you must maintain a diet, including:

• Avoiding bad eating habits, such as sleeping after eating or eating late at night.
• Reduce foods that contain saturated fat and that contain lots of calories.
• Increase vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, and foods high in protein with healthy fats.
• Reduce foods containing lots of salt. Sodium can hold water in the body, causing certain parts of the body to swell and possibly interfering with blood flow in the blood vessels

Avoid tight clothes and wear tall shoes

Wearing something that is tight against your body, such as a belt, tights, shoes or tight socks can also interfere with the flow of blood in your body. Better to wear clothes that are a little looser and choose shoes and socks that are the right size.

Also, limit the use of shoes with high heels. This type of shoe does make you look tall, but it burdens your heels so that blood flow in your feet is restricted. This can worsen symptoms and expand the area of ​​the swollen vein.

Prevention of varicose veins

There is no special way that can prevent varicose veins completely. However, improving blood circulation and muscle tone can reduce the risk of this disease and its severity. Various things you can do, to prevent varicose veins, include:

• Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes every day.
• Maintain ideal body weight.
• Reduce the use of high heels and tight socks.
• Change the position of your legs periodically when sitting and standing.