Varicose Veins

Legs | Rheumatology | Varicose Veins (Disease)


Description

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged, located superficially under the skin. Most often they develop in the legs and enlarged veins are usually on the ankles.

Venous disease can be completely asymptomatic. Varicose veins is usually recognized by the patient by viewing venous cords twisted, swollen, blue, just below the skin surface. If symptoms occur, they tend to be mild and may include: a dull ache, a burning sensation or heaviness in the legs, symptoms are amplified during the day or after long periods of standing or sitting; mild inflammation, usually only in the foot and ankle; pruritus (itching) skin above the veins.

Symptoms may worsen or complications can occur such as: leg edema (fluid in the tissues of the foot and consequent swelling of the member); significant inflammation and pain in the calf after long periods of sitting or standing, skin color changes (stasis pigmentation) around or above the ankle; dry skin, stretched, swollen, itchy and flaky (no stratum corneum of the skin) in the veins.

Causes and Risk factors

Factors that cause varicose veins are: increased pressure in leg veins; damage to the leg veins; damage to the vein valves (anatomical structures that prevent blood flow only in one direction) feet. Often venous disease runs in families. Are people born with defective heart valves or venous walls are thinner or develop these changes later in life.

Hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy or menopause, as well as with administration of estrogen, progesterone or birth control pills can all contribute to the emergence and development of varicose veins.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Fortunately, treatment usually doesnt mean a hospital stay or a long, uncomfortable recovery. Thanks to less invasive procedures, varicose veins can generally be treated on an outpatient basis. Self-care — such as exercising, losing weight, not wearing tight clothes, elevating your legs, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting — can ease pain and prevent varicose veins from getting worse. ...