Varicose veins are twisted and enlarged veins that are mostly seen in legs and feet. This is because the pressure in the veins of the lower body increases due to standing and walking. Varicose veins also develop if the valves inside the veins get damaged. Apart from the legs, varicose veins may appear in the other body parts as well. People of any age group and gender can have varicose veins. But it is mostly seen in women and older adults.
Varicose veins are deep blue or purple in colour, and can be seen with our eyes. Apart from looking irritant and awkward, in some cases, varicose veins can also indicate a sign of poor health or some underlying health issues.
What Exactly are Varicose Veins?
In general, the arteries carry oxygenated blood to all the tissues in the body and the veins supply deoxygenated blood to the lungs. This is done with the help of valves in the veins and the contraction of the calf muscles. If the valves are weak or damaged due to any reason, blood flow stops and hence blood gets pooled in the legs. As a result, the blood flows backwards and causes twisted, and enlarged veins.
The following are some of the risk factors for varicose veins:
- Family history of varicose veins
- Obesity or being overweight
- Siting and standing for a longer period
- Pregnancy
- Surgeries, car accidents, or sports injuries may also damage veins
- Hormone replacement therapy
- The chances increase as you get older
People who suffer from varicose veins may also develop Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) where blood clots are formed in the deep veins. If DVT is left untreated, the blood clot can break and move towards the lungs causing pulmonary embolism.
Dangers of Varicose Veins
In most cases, varicose veins do not cause any serious issues. In some cases, there can be certain complications. The complications or health issues include the following:
- Blood clots
- Slight bleeding near the skin
- Ulcers occur on the skin near the area of varicose veins
- Venous eczema which affects the lower legs and the skin becomes scaly and dry
- Inflamed veins, called phlebitis occur due to the formation of blood clots in the veins or due to the damaged veins
- Venous leg ulcers occur as the veins get irritated due to blood pooling
- Pelvic congestion syndrome occurs if the varicose veins occur in the abdomen
Treatment for Varicose Veins
Though varicose veins can be life-threatening in some cases, taking proper measures can help prevent varicose veins from progressing. Apart from this, there are several treatment options for varicose veins such as the following:
- Sclerotherapy
- Laser treatment
- Vein stripping
- Endoscopic vein surgery
- Catheter-assisted radiofrequency or laser energy
If you have any signs of varicose veins, you should immediately consider visiting a doctor to prevent serious and life-threatening consequences.
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If you have any signs of varicose veins, visit Dr Pradyumna Reddy today. Dr Pradyumna Reddy is one of the best vascular surgeons in Hyderabad and has treated thousands of patients with varicose veins. Not only an experienced doctor, he is also an empathetic and compassionate person. Once you visit Dr Pradyumna Reddy, he will closely work with you from your first consultation till he decides the right treatment solution for you. To know more about his treatment methods, call us today.
