Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen, and twisting veins, often appearing blue or dark purple.

They happen when faulty valves in the veins allow blood to flow in the wrong direction or to pool.

More than 23 percent of all adults are thought to be affected by varicose veins. Approximately 1 in 4 adults in the United States is affected by varicose veins.

Fast facts on varicose veins

• Pregnant women are more susceptible to varicose veins.
• Symptoms can include aching legs, swollen ankles, and spider veins.
• People who are overweight have an increased risk of varicose veins.

What are varicose veins?

An example of varicose veins in the leg.

Varicose veins are large, swollen veins that often appear on the legs and feet. They happen when the valves in the veins do not work properly, so the blood does not flow effectively.

The veins rarely need treatment for health reasons, but if swelling, aching, and painful legs result, and if there is considerable discomfort, treatment is available.

There are various options, including some home remedies.

In severe cases, a varicose vein may rupture, or develop into varicose ulcers on the skin. These will require treatment.

Symptoms

In the majority of cases, there is no pain, but signs and symptoms of varicose veins may include:

• veins look twisted, swollen, and lumpy (bulging)
• the veins are blue or dark purple

Some patients may also experience:

• aching legs
• legs feel heavy, especially after exercise or at night
• a minor injury to the affected area may result in longer bleeding than normal
• lipodermatosclerosis - fat under the skin just above the ankle can become hard, resulting in the skin shrinking
• swollen ankles
• telangiectasia in the affected leg (spider veins)
• there may be a shiny skin discoloration near the varicose veins, usually brownish or blue in color
• venous eczema (stasis dermatitis) - skin in the affected area is red, dry, and itchy
• when suddenly standing up, some individuals experience leg cramps
• a high percentage of people with varicose veins also have restless legs syndrome
• atrophie blanche - irregular whitish patches that look like scars appear at the ankles

Causes

The veins have one-way valves so that the blood can travel in only one direction. If the walls of the vein become stretched and less flexible (elastic), the valves may get weaker. A weakened valve can allow blood to leak backward and eventually flow in the opposite direction. When this occurs, blood can accumulate in the vein(s), which then become enlarged and swollen.



Figure A shows a normal vein with a properly working valve. In Figure B, the varicose vein has a faulty valve, the walls of the vein are thin and stretched.
Image credit: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

The veins furthest from the heart are most often affected, such as those in the legs. This is because gravity makes it harder for blood to flow back to the heart. Any condition that puts pressure on the abdomen has the potential to cause varicose veins; for instance, pregnancy, constipation and, in rare cases, tumors.

Risk factors

Experts are not sure why the walls of veins stretch or why the valves become faulty. In many cases, it occurs for no clear reason. However, some potential risk factors include:

• menopause
• pregnancy
• being aged over 50
• standing for long periods
• family history of varicose veins
• obesity

The following risk factors are linked to a higher risk of having varicose veins:

• Gender: Varicose veins affect women more often than males. It may be that female hormones relax veins. If so, taking birth control pills or hormone therapy (HT) might contribute.
• Genetics: Varicose veins often run in families.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of varicose veins.
• Age: The risk increases with age, due to wear and tear on vein valves.
• Some jobs: An individual who has to spend a long time standing at work may have a higher chance of varicose veins.

Complications

Any condition in which proper blood flow is undermined has a risk of complications. However, in the majority of cases, varicose veins have no complications. If complications do occur, they may include:

• Bleeding.
• Thrombophlebitis: Blood clots in the vein of the leg cause inflammation of the vein.
• Chronic venous insufficiency - the skin does not exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste products with the blood properly because the blood flow is weak. Chronic venous insufficiency is not caused by varicose veins, but the two entities are closely related.

People with chronic venous insufficiency may develop varicose eczema, lipodermatosclerosis (hard and tight skin), and venous ulcers. Venous ulcers classically form around ankles and are often preceded by a discolored area. It is important to get medical evaluation for chronic venous insufficiency.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Treatment

If the patient has no symptoms or discomfort and is not bothered by the sight of the varicose veins, treatment might not be necessary. However, if there are symptoms, treatment may be required to reduce pain or discomfort, address complications, such as leg ulcers, skin discoloration, or swelling.

Some patients may also want treatment for cosmetic reasons - they want to get rid of the "ugly" varicose veins.

Surgery

If varicose veins are large, they may need to be removed surgically. This is usually done under general anesthetic. In most cases, the patient can go home the same day - if surgery is required on both legs, they may need to spend one night in hospital.

Laser treatments are often used to close off smaller veins, and also spider veins. Strong bursts of light are applied to the vein, which gradually fades and disappears.                                                                                                                                                                                                               HOMOEOPATHIC   TREATMENT                                                                                                              Homeopathy provides safe ,natural and effective cure for varicose veins. Painful surgical methods can be avoided by taking homoeopathic treatment. Homoeopathic medicines cures varicose veins by acting on related cause of disease. Various homoeopathic are give depending on the symptoms like heaviness in legs, cramps in legs, excess pain in legs, etc. Some of the medicines include lachesis, carbo veg, hamamelis, etc.... but the medicines should only be take after proper consultation of the case with Homoeopath ......... because the cure depends only on proper selection of medicine according to your case.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                For consultation, Contact Dr. Ramandeep Kaur                                                                                                  Phone no. +91 7986151207