Varicose veins, also known as varicosities or varicoses, are one of the few vein problems in our body left unnoticed. What are Varicose Veins? What are the different symptoms and causes of Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are basically bluish and winding veins which are visible through your skin. They are swollen and bulging veins which can get worse over time. These veins can instigate throbbing pains and tiredness and cause sores and rashes. The female gender is more prone to this condition in comparison to the men.

Varicose veins take place in the superficial veins in the legs and superficial veins are located nearest to the skin.  People who have this condition are usually lethargic and they feel aches in their legs. In addition, they feel restless and heavy and sometimes they may even experience night cramps. Standing and sitting for a long amount of time will also aggravate the situation. 

Varicose veins can also form in other parts of the body. It may develop in the rectum (Hemorrhoids). It may also develop in the testicles, linked to infertility in men (Varicoceles). Varicose veins may also develop in your esophagus, liver, or stomach. Permanent enlargement of small blood vessels (Telangiectasia) and spider veins are also part of Varicose veins.

At times, the skin of the legs can change color and in other cases, sores can form. Small and raw knots of veins may be developed and little clusters of veins can form in a winding pattern on the legs too due to this condition. Those who experience severe cases of varicose veins, there may be a slim chance of contracting deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT can set off serious swelling of the leg and this disorder needs serious and quick medical treatment.

Varicose veins are cause by the high blood pressure that occurs in your superficial veins in the legs. Other factors that contribute to the gravity of this situation is being overweight, lack of exercise, smoking, standing and sitting for long phases and having DVT. Varicose veins can run in the family and usually occur to people at the age of 30 to 70. Women who are expecting are more prone to this disorder but more often than not, the veins will go back to its usual form after childbirth. However, multiple pregnancies may result in permanent varicose veins.

Varicose veins form mostly on your lower legs when veins are not functioning well. The veins on your legs are farthest from your heart. The gravity makes it harder for blood to flow upward. Varicose veins may also happen because of tumour and constipation. 

When one has varicose veins, one should seek for medical treatment where your general health, signs and medical history are thoroughly asked and examined. The veins’ color and texture will then be inspected to determine which treatment is suitable for you. The initial treatment will always be non-surgery so as to relieve the symptoms. 

Mild and moderate veins can be treated by raising the legs to lessen the leg swelling. The elevation of the legs should be done 15 minutes a session for several times daily. One should regularly flex their legs to allow blood to circulate and flow while sitting and standing for too long.

Compression stockings are another method to relieve the symptoms of this disorder. These elastic stockings squeeze the veins and prevent additional blood from flowing backward. With this method, skin sores can heal and this method is actually effective in easing the pain in your legs. Doing so can somehow improve the blood flow from your legs.

Strengthening your calf muscles that help the blood flow throughout your body is beneficial for people with symptoms. Activities like walking or biking for  30 minutes, five days a week, will improve your blood circulation and strengthen your immunity. Leg exercises like bicycle legs, calf raises, side leg lifts, and rocking will also boost your blood flow. As long as you are doing the right posture without putting too much stress, these exercises will benefit you.

If these non-surgical treatments cannot reduce the varicose veins, sometimes a surgery is required depending on the severity of the case. Sclerotherapy can be injected into the varicose veins and prevent the abnormal veins can no longer fill up with blood. The blood will then go to the heart through other veins. Vascular surgeons from Singapore perform  this kind of surgeries. A lot of adults in the country mentioned above experience this due to their lifestyle and old age.

Another treatment is ablation where a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into the varicose vein. This flexible tube has small electrodes at its tip which can heat the varicose vein’s walls while breaking the vein tissue. The catheter can also be used to contain a fiber which can send out lasers to demolish the affected veins.

Vein stripping is another treatment for treating varicose veins. Firstly, small cuts will be done on the groin and calf area and all main varicose veins will be disconnected or tied. The saphenous veins will then be removed.

Ambulatory phlebectomy, also known as small incision avulsion can be done in conjunction with vein stripping. This procedure allows the removal of the clusters of varicose veins by using hooks that pass through the small cuts.

Similarly, sometimes the doctor may shine a strong light on the leg to see the veins clearly. Then a suction tool is put through a small incision and the vein is then sucked out. All these procedures cause little pain and can be tolerated. However, the doctor will determine which is the best treatment taking in consideration of your medical health, history and the severity of the veins.

Varicose veins often form in the lower leg part. Symptoms may not appear at first but will eventually appear over time. Changing your lifestyle will be beneficial to your veins. However, performing surgery is the only way to remove your varicose veins.  If you are experiencing the same symptoms, please consult the nearest doctor to prevent more complications.