Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen and twisted veins that mostly appear on the legs and feet. They are often blue in color and are mostly found in the legs of elderly people. Southwest Regional Wound Care Center treats Varicose veins Treatment Lubbock, Texas.
Varicose veins are caused when the valves in the veins are not working properly, hence hindering the effective flow of blood. The valves fail to keep blood from running backward from the heart and back down into the legs. This occurs when the valves are not working properly or they have become loose and flabby.
Varicose veins may not need treatment as they may not pose any health issues. However, there are cases where you may experience aching, swelling, discomfort or pain. In such cases, you will need to undergo treatment.
You can treat mild cases of varicose veins by yourself at home. Severe cases whereby a varicose vein is ruptured or it has developed into a varicose ulcer, you will need to see a doctor for medical treatment.
Causes of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are mostly caused by weak or damaged valves.
The arteries are responsible for the transfer of blood from the heart to the other tissues in the body. The veins are responsible for the transfer of blood from the other parts of the body to the heart.
The veins transfer blood from the legs to the heart and for that to be possible the veins in the legs must work against gravity. The muscles in the legs contracts and acts as pumps and the veins are able to return the blood back to the heart.
As blood flows from the legs to the heart, the valves in the veins open and then closes back to prevent the blood from flowing backward.
In case the valve gets ruptured, weak, lose, or damaged, it can’t work properly anymore. The valve can’t prevent blood from flowing downwards to the legs, thereby causing a pool of blood in the veins. The veins then begin to stretch, get swollen, or twist.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
You may not feel any pain in early and mild cases of varicose veins. You will start to feel pains and experience an increased level of symptoms when it gets worse. Early signs include:
- The veins in your lower legs turn blue or purple in color.
- Veins appear bigger and bulging
- The veins in your legs become twisted.
When it gets worse, you may start experiencing symptoms such as:
- Itching around the area
- Your legs begin to feel heavy.
- Muscle cramping and swelling in your lower legs
- Burning sensation in your lower legs
- You begin to feel more pain when sitting or standing
Who is at Higher Risk of developing Varicose veins
There are different factors that could increase the risk of developing varicose veins.
They include:
-
Sex
Varicose veins affect mostly women. It also affects women in their pre-menstruation stage or menopause stage. This is because of the hormonal changes that occur during these conditions. The hormones tend to relax veins walls, causing varicose veins.
-
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is also a factor that increases the risk of developing varicose veins. This is because when a woman is pregnant, the volume of the body increases and the volume of the blood in the body also increases. This causes the veins in the leg to enlarge. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy also cause varicose veins.
-
Age
Older people are mostly affected by varicose veins. When an individual grows older, the body starts to experience wear and tears. The valve also experiences wears and tears. This wears and tears cause the valves not to properly function anymore, leading to varicose veins.
-
Obesity
People that are overweight also have a higher risk of developing varicose veins due to the pressure their weight exerts on the veins in their legs.
-
Standing or sitting for too long
Standing or sitting in a position for too long hinders the effective flow of blood which causes varicose veins.
-
Family history
Individuals with a family history of varicose veins have a greater risk of developing it.
Diagnosis of varicose veins
Your doctor will examine your legs while you are standing up to check for swelling and signs of varicose veins. You will be asked some medical questions and the nature of the pain you feel.
You may need to undergo ultrasound so that your doctor will know if your veins are still in good functional conditions. It ultrasound can be done with the use of a transducer. Images of your veins are transmitted from the transducer to a monitor, where the doctor view your veins for any defects.
Treatment of Varicose veins
Mild and early stages of varicose veins can be treated with home remedy or self-care measures. Severe cases need medical attention and treatments.
Home remedies can also help prevent its development. Self-care or home remedies include:
-
Weight reduction
If you are overweight, take necessary measures to lose weight. Maintain a healthy weight to relieve the pressure of your body on your legs.
-
Avoid excess salt intake
Excess salt intake can cause water retention in the body which causes swelling. Reduce the amount of salt in your foods.
-
Engage in regular exercises
Regular exercises enhance blood circulation in the body. Efficient blood circulation prevents varicose veins.
-
Practice leg elevation
Try to elevate your legs above your heart whenever possible. This improves blood circulation in your legs.
-
Avoid sitting or standing in a position for a very long time
Always change positions regularly. And avoid sitting or standing in one position for a very long time to encourage blood circulation.
-
Avoid high heels
Avoid frequent wearing of high-heeled shoes. High-heeled shoes increase the pressure on your lower legs. Always put on low-heeled shoes to lower pressure on your legs.
-
Avoid wearing very tight clothes around your waist
Wearing very tight clothes around your waist hinders the free flow of blood from your legs to your upper body. Always wear loose clothes to allow for the free flow of blood.
Severe cases can be treated with medical measures. These include:
-
The use of compression stockings
The compression stocking squeezes your legs muscles to help the vein move blood effectively.
-
Laser treatment
Your doctor will use a laser to close off smaller varicose veins.
-
Sclerotherapy
Your doctor injects small and medium-sized varicose veins in a solution which closes the veins. The varicose veins fade away after a few weeks.
-
Radiofrequency or laser energy
This method is used to treat large varicose veins. Your doctor will insert a catheter and uses radiofrequency or laser energy to destroy the varicose vein.
-
High ligation and vein stripping
Your doctor will tie off a vein and removes varicose veins through small incisions.
-
Ambulatory Phlebectomy
Your doctor removes smaller varicose veins through tiny skin punctures.
-
Endoscopic vein surgery
This is used in advanced cases involving leg ulcers. With the help of a tiny camera, your doctor removes varicose veins in your legs through small incisions.
Contact Southwest Regional Wound Care Center for Varicose veins Treatment Lubbock, Texas.
