Varicose veins[1] are a common problem, especially as people age. Veins carry blood from all parts of the body to the heart for recirculation. When the flow of blood is impeded, they turn blue or dark purple in color and can also appear to be twisted and can bulge under the skin. They are usually seen in the legs but may also appear on the face in the form of smaller “spider” veins.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
When the veins carry blood up from your legs, they work against gravity. The contraction of the muscles in the legs work like pumps to push the blood upwards. Valves in the veins prevent the blood from flowing backwards. If the muscles or valves weaken with age and the flow is affected, varicose veins appear.
Genetics play a major role in the occurrence of varicose veins. If the condition runs in the family, there is a greater likelihood of your developing them.
Women are more likely to develop the condition than men. Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, menopause, using birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy can contribute to the development of the condition.
Standing up for extended periods, obesity[2], injury to the leg and wearing extremely tight clothing below the waist may also cause the condition to appear.
How to Reduce Varicose Veins?
The first step is usually self-care in the form of exercise, losing weight, avoiding tight clothes and not spending long periods of time standing or sitting.
Besides this, compression stockings may be used. These fit firmly over the legs and apply a gentle pressure to help the muscles and veins move the blood more efficiently. It is important that the fit of these stockings is correct. Too tight and they could compound the problem and if too loose, they will be ineffective.
If self-care does not help, more specific treatment will be required. This is normally done on an outpatient basis.
Treating Varicose Veins
There are various treatment options which include:
Sclerotherapy: An injection is administered to close the affected small vein.
Foam Sclerotherapy: Foam is injected to close off larger veins.
High Ligation and Vein Stripping: A vein is closed off and removed through a small incision.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy: Smaller veins are removed through a series of tiny punctures in the skin.
Laser Treatment: Here, the heat from the laser closes the vein.
Endoscopic Vein Surgery: This is often used when leg ulcers have formed. Using small incisions, a tiny camera is inserted into the leg to allow the doctor to locate the affected veins which are then removed using instruments through the incisions.
Also Read: Muscular Cramps – Why and what can you do?[3]
While the best treatment for varicose veins[4] will depend on the patient and his unique condition, sclerotherapy, which is a commonly performed procedure, is discussed below in detail.
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the veins. The solution used causes the veins to narrow, forcing the blood into healthier veins. The collapsed vein eventually fades after getting reabsorbed into the local tissue.
After sclerotherapy, the treated veins may take several weeks to a month to fade away and if the desired results are not obtained, the procedure can also be performed again.
However, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to postpone treatment. It is mainly done for cosmetic purposes, but can also act to relieve aching, swelling, burning and night cramps.
The injection used during sclerotherapy, while relatively safe, can have some side-effects. Do keep in mind that some side-effects can lead to serious complications.
Temporary side-effects at the site of injection may include:
Bruising
Small sores on the skin
Darkened lines or spots on the skin
Multiple tiny red blood vessels
Raised red areas
While they may look alarming, these side-effects are temporary and usually disappear in a matter of weeks. Some may take months.
While the above side-effects are not something to worry about, do seek medical attention if you observe any of the following:
Inflammation: Redness, swelling and pain around the area of injection. These can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Blood Clot: A blood clot that may have formed may require drainage from the veins. A serious complication may arise if the clot travels to a deeper vein in the leg. It may lead to pulmonary embolism, wherein a clot travels through the vein to the lungs. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience chest pain, dizziness or if you cough up blood.
Air Bubbles: Air bubbles may form after the injection. They may lead to symptoms like dizziness, headaches [5]and visual disturbances. Consult a doctor[6] if you experience them.
Allergies: You may experience an allergic reaction to the injected solution. This is uncommon but a possibility nevertheless.
Should You Consult a Doctor?
While varicose veins are not normally a serious health issue, the condition should not be ignored. Over time pain, burning, itching, muscles cramps, skin ulcers and other problems may arise. In some cases, varicose veins could be a symptom of another more serious medical condition. The best course of action is to consult avascular surgeon[7]when the problem is noticed. He or she will be able to guide you on self-care options and the right way to do them. If more formal treatment is required, the doctor will be able to decide on the right course of action for your specific condition.