Varicose veins, also called varicoses or varicosities, refer to the veins that get enlarged and overfilled with blood. This situation occurs when the valves in the veins allow the blood to flow in the wrong direction or fill in the wrong area. Common features of varicose veins are swollen veins that appear to be bluish- purple or red in color. Varicose veins are more common in women than in men. In the light of the above, 3MEDS, the best medicine app in Delhi, intends to discuss the causes and symptoms of varicose veins and treatment methods used to treat them.
The veins in our bodies have one way valves to prevent the back flow of blood. However, if the walls of the veins become stretched and less flexible,the valves can get weaker and malfunction. A weak valve can allow the blood to flow in the wrong direction. In such cases, the blood can accumulate in the veins and this can cause swelling and enlargement in them. This is mostly seen in the legs as those veins are the farthest from the heart. The gravity also makes it harder for the blood to flow back to the heart.
Experts do not know why exactly the valves malfunction. However they know the factors that can increase the chances of developing malfunction in the valves.
1. Menopause
2. Age: People over the age of 50 are more likely to have varicose veins.
3. Standing for long periods: Sometimes certain professions require long periods of standing continuously. This can contribute towards developing varicose veins.
4. Family history of varicose veins: If your parents for other close relatives have varicose veins then you are more likely to develop them.
5. Being obese or overweight.
6. Conditions that put pressure on the abdomen like pregnancy, constipation and even tumors in some cases.
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In many cases, the varicose veins may not cause any pain. In such cases the person may notice the following signs:
1. Veins that appear to be purple or blue in color.
2. Veins that appear to be twisted and swollen.
In case a person feels pain, it will be accompanied by the following symptoms:
1. Heavy feeling in the legs
2. Burning or throbbing sensation in the lower legs
3. Muscle cramping in the legs
4. Worsen pain after standing for a long time
5. Itching around the area with swollen veins
6. Change in the color of the skin around the swollen veins
The doctor will perform a physical tests in which they will check the extent of swelling or bulging in the veins while you are standing. The doctor will also ask you about the pain and other symptoms that you may have noticed. Following this, the doctor may perform an ultrasound to check for any blood clots. A small device called transducer is held against the leg. It them allows the computer to form digital images of the veins of the legs.
1. One can start by exercising and eating healthy to lose weight. This will remove the pressure from their legs.
2. If a person has varicose veins, they should avoid standing continuously for long hours. In addition to that, they should also avoid sitting cross legged.
3. Patients can also prop their legs up while laying down. For this, they can put their legs on a pile of pillows or blankets. This will also cause the blood to flow readily towards the heart.
4. Compression stockings: Compression stockings squeeze the legs. This allows the blood to flow more readily through them. You can easily purchase compression stocking from 3MEDS, the best online chemist shop in Delhi.
5. Sclerotherapy: This procedure is usually used in severe cases when compression stockings do not work. The doctor injects the varicose veins with a solution or a foam. This substance closes these veins and prevents pooling of blood.
Varicose veins are not typically life threatening and can be treated easily with a bit of a professional help. They are not completely cured unless sclerotherapy is performed, however, one can take many measure to reduce the symptoms like pain and uneasiness that come with varicose veins. Monitoring any changes are very important so that the changes can be brought to the doctor’s attention and treatment can be changed to suit the condition.
