What are the causes of varicose veins?

Comfortable and sedentary life-style, modern fashion, special postures adopted while performing professional duties have contributed to increased incidence of diseases unheard-of in the past. Varicose vein is one of them and is a direct result of sedentary life-style. In India, 40% women and 20% men develop varicose veins in the age group of 30-60 years.

What is a varicose vein and how does it develop?
Veins are blood vessels carrying de-oxygenated (impure) blood from different parts of the body to the heart. They contain valves to ensure that blood flows in only one direction without any back flow. Due to some reason, if these valves do not function efficiently, there is a backflow and blood tends to accumulate in the veins making them abnormally thick, full of twists and turns or enlarged; such veins are called varicose veins.

Varicose Vein Legs

Where do varicose veins commonly develop?
They often show up on the legs, ankles and feet as they are farthest from the heart. Gravity pulls blood down into your legs and feet when you’re standing up or sitting down. So the veins have to work extra hard to get that blood back up tothe heart, and some of those veins can wear out over time.

What are the predisposing factors to develop varicose veins?

· Obesity

· Lack of exercise

· Females are more prone to develop varicose veins

· Increasing age

· Prolonged standing or sitting with legs down

· Abnormal pressure on veins during pregnancy

· Hormonal changes during menopause

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

· Thickened, twisted, dilated, bluish veins below the skin.

· Pain, heaviness and tiredness in the legs

· Itching, irritation or rashes on the skin

Do varicose veins cause any health problems?

· Rashes, soreness and ulcers on the overlying skin tissue.

· The pooling of blood in these veins cause slow return of the blood to the heart. Clots can develop in the blood which can block the smaller blood vessels of vital organs like heart, lungs or brain.

· The veins could rupture and cause heavy bleeding.

· Phelibitis i.e. inflammation of the vein.

How are varicose veins treated?

Cases without complications:

· Regular exercises to improve the circulation and building muscle strength around the varicose veins.

· Reducing weight in case of obese individuals.

· Avoiding prolonged standing or sitting with legs hanging down. Ensure that your legs are raised while sitting & sleeping.

· Wearing elastic support stockings.

Cases with complications:

· Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected into the vein which causes the vein walls to stick together and shut the flow of blood. The vein turns into a scar tissue.

· Laser treatment is more effective for small spider veins in the legs.

· Surgical ligation and stripping of the varicose veins.

· Endoscopic vein surgery.

· Radiofrequency ablation.