Varicose veins are not only a cosmetic problem, they can cause intense pain, and without treatment, they can lead to serious complications, such as non healing sores. These symptoms are gradual and are easily overlooked by many people until the condition worsens.

 

Varicose veins are dark purple or blue in colour and are usually twisted and bulging in appearance. Some people with varicose veins may experience pain or discomfort.

 

Symptoms of varicose veins can include:

● spider veins – small red or blue veins on the surface of the skin that can be twisty or look like a ‘fan’ of veins.

● aching, heavy and uncomfortable legs

● swollen feet and ankles

● burning or throbbing in your legs

● muscle cramps in your legs, particularly at night

● dry, itchy and thin skin over the area of the affected vein.

 

These symptoms are usually worse during warm weather or if you’ve been standing up for long periods of time. They may improve when you walk around or if you rest and raise your legs. Pillows are a good way to raise your legs comfortably.

 

Sometimes symptoms exist without any visible sign of varicose veins. This can happen when a vein in the deeper venous network becomes enlarged (varicosed) hence it is not visible on the surface of the skin. It can still cause a lot of discomfort, swelling, and pain in the legs, pelvis.

 

Varicose veins usually develop on the legs, either on the back of your calf or on the inside of your leg. That's because standing and walking increase the pressure in the veins of the lower parts of your body, such as:

 

● gullet (esophagus)

● womb (uterus)

● vagina

● pelvis

● rectum (back passage)

● Most commonly the legs.

 

How they occur 

In a healthy vein, blood flows smoothly to the heart.

The blood is prevented from flowing backwards by a series

of tiny valves that open and close to let blood through.

If the valves weaken or are damaged, the blood can flow

backwards and collect in the vein. The vein then

swells and enlarges (varicose) due to high raising

blood pressure in the legs.

 

Treating varicose veins

The doctor may first recommend compression socks, suggest lifestyle changes like a healthier diet to prevent weight gain, elevating your legs to reduce swelling, avoiding standing or sitting still for long periods and trying to move around every 30 minutes, taking regular breaks throughout the day, raising the legs on pillows while resting to ease discomfort, exercising regularly – this can improve circulation and help maintain a healthy weight

 

If the symptoms are still causing you pain or discomfort, or getting worse, they can be treated in several ways.

 

The most common treatment options include:

 

● radiofrequency ablation – where heat is used to seal affected veins

● sclerotherapy – this uses special foam to close the veins

● ligation and stripping – the affected veins are surgically removed.

 

Do not hesitate to call us if you are concerned about your symptoms, (506) 648-7013.