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Varicose veins (varicose veins or varicose veins) occur when your veins become enlarged, dilated and overfilled with blood. They usually look swollen and raised, are blue-purple or red in color and can be painful.
The condition is very common, especially in women.
About 25 percent of all adults have varicose veins. In most cases, varicose veins appear on the lower part of the legs.
Varicose veins occur when the veins do not work properly. Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards. When these valves fail, blood begins to pool in the veins instead of continuing to your heart. The veins then dilate. Varicose veins often affect the legs. The veins there are the furthest away from your heart, and gravity makes it harder for blood to flow upward.
Some possible causes for varicose veins include:
The main symptoms of varicose veins are very visible, malformed veins, usually in your legs. You may also have pain, swelling, heaviness and pain over or around the enlarged veins.
In some cases, you may experience swelling and discoloration. In severe cases, the veins may bleed significantly and ulcerate.
Your doctor will likely examine your legs and visible veins while sitting or standing to diagnose varicose veins. They may ask you about any pain or symptoms you have.
Your doctor may also want to do an ultrasound to check your blood flow. This is a non-invasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves. It allows your doctor to see how blood flows in your veins.
Depending on the location, a venogram may be done to further evaluate your veins. During this test, your doctor injects a special dye into your legs and takes X-rays of the area. The dye shows up on X-rays, giving your doctor a better picture of how your blood is flowing.
Tests such as ultrasounds or phlebograms help ensure that another disorder, such as a blood clot or blockage, is not causing pain and swelling in your legs.
In general, doctors are conservative when treating varicose veins. They will likely advise you to make lifestyle changes, rather than trying more aggressive treatments.
Lifestyle changes
The following changes may help prevent varicose veins from forming or worsening:
If you already have varicose veins, you should follow these steps to prevent new varicose veins. You should also elevate your legs whenever you rest or sleep.
Compression
Your doctor may advise you to wear special compression stockings or socks. These put enough pressure on your legs so blood can flow more easily to your heart. They also reduce swelling.
The level of compression varies, but most types of compression stockings are available at pharmacies or medical supply stores.
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Surgery
If lifestyle changes don’t work, or if your varicose veins cause a lot of pain or harm your overall health, your doctor may try an invasive procedure.
Ligation and stripping of the vein is a surgical treatment that requires anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon makes cuts in your skin, cuts the vein, and removes it through the incisions. Although updated variations of vein removal surgeries have been developed, they are performed less often because newer, less invasive options are available.
Other treatment options
Currently, a wide variety of minimally invasive treatment options for varicose veins are available. These include:
- sclerotherapy, using an injection of liquid or chemical foam to block a larger vein
- microsclerotherapy, using a liquid chemical injection to block smaller veins
- laser surgery, using light energy to block a vein
- intravenous ablation therapy, using heat and radiofrequency waves to unblock a vein
- endoscopic vein surgery, using a small lighted lens inserted through a small incision to block a vein
You should always talk to your doctor about treatment options and risks before choosing a method. The method recommended may depend on your symptoms, the size and location of the varicocele.
Varicose veins usually get worse over time. This is true even if you make the necessary lifestyle changes to control and manage your pain. Although they can be unsightly, they usually do not cause long-term medical problems.
In some cases, varicose veins can lead to ulcers or sores on your legs, blood clots, or chronic inflammation. If you have a severe case, your veins may burst.
You should see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. They may then recommend a more aggressive approach, such as surgery or other interventions.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.
