Varicose Veins refer to large and swollen veins that primarily affect the legs and even the feet. Varicose veins are indeed very unsightly to many people because of their appearance. They occur when the valves in the veins don't typically work as expected, and this happens due to blood flowing in the wrong direction. Varicose veins tend to appear in either blue or dark purple. It is believed that more than 23 percent of adults are affected by varicose veins. In most cases, one in four adults in the United States has varicose veins. If the symptoms persist, then treatment is encouraged. Specific facts about varicose veins include:
- Symptoms may include swollen ankles and aching legs.
- Pregnant women are most vulnerable to Varicose veins.
- People who are overweight are at risk of getting Varicose veins.
Causes of Varicose Veins
Usually, the veins have one-way valves, which enables blood to move in one direction. When the walls of the veins stretch and become elastic, the valves become weak. If one has a weakened valve, their blood will leak backward and finally flow in opposite directions. Varicose veins then occur due to the accumulation of blood in the veins, which causes swelling and enlargement.
Varicose veins mainly affect the furthest veins from the heart, and this includes veins in the legs. It happens because of gravity which makes it difficult for blood to flow back to the heart. It is believed that conditions which put pressure on the abdomen are most likely to cause varicose veins—conditions such as constipation, pregnancy in women, and even tumors.
Risk Factors
Some of the risk factors connected to a higher risk of getting varicose veins can include:
- Genetics: If there has been a family history of varicose veins.
- Obesity: If one is struggling with overweight issues, they are at risk of having varicose veins.
- Pregnancy: Women are at risk of varicose veins during their pregnancy because they have more blood in their bodies at this stage. Too much blood causes too much pressure on their circulatory systems. Also, when their hormone level changes, the walls of their blood vessels relax, causing varicose veins. Another risk factor is when the uterus expands, a lot of pressure is applied to the mother's pelvic area.
- Specific jobs: If anyone spends most of their time standing while at the workplace, they are at risk of having varicose veins.
- Age: As one gets older, they are at a higher risk of getting varicose veins because of their vein valves which wear out at this old stage.
Treating Varicose Veins
Severe Varicose veins can be medically treated in hospitals or given home remedies through a doctor's consultation. When at home, one is advised to do a lot of exercising to improve blood circulation in the whole body, dieting for a healthy weight, avoid standing or sitting for more extended times either at home or workplace as this reduces blood flow to the legs.
Other treatments include surgical treatment. When the veins are extra-large, surgery will be an alternative method of treating varicose veins. Surgical treatment is a process that involves the removal of veins through ligation.
Compression stockings may also be advised by a doctor because they are well known for improving blood circulation, especially in the affected places. The doctor will prescribe the type of compression stocking according to the condition of the varicose veins.
Doctors also offer laser treatments. This type of treatment helps in treating varicose veins that are not very large. In most cases, it treats varicose of less than 3 millimeters.