Varicose veins

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins that you are seen under the skin. They are often red or blue in colour. They most often appear in the legs, but can occur in other parts of the body.

Causes

Normally, one-way valves in the leg veins keep blood moving up toward the heart. When the valves do not work properly, they allow blood to back up into the vein. The vein swells from the blood that collects there, which causes varicose veins.Varicose veins are common, and affect more women than men. They do not cause problems for most people. However, if the flow of blood through veins becomes worse, problems such as leg swelling and pain, blood clots, and skin changes may be present.

Risk factors include:

• Standing or sitting for long periods of time
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Older age
• History of blood clots in the legs
• Family history of varicose veins

 

Lifestyle changes

• The following changes may help prevent varicose veins from forming or becoming worse:
• Avoid standing for extended periods of time.
• Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise to improve blood circulation.
• Compression socks or stockings to be used.
• To elevate the legs whenever resting or sleeping.

 

Surgery

Currently, a wide variety of minimally invasive treatment options for varicose veins are available. These include:

Sclerotherapy, using a liquid or foam chemical injection to block off a larger vein Microsclerotherapy, using a liquid chemical injection to block off smaller veins Laser surgery (EVLT), using light energy to block off a vein Endovenous ablation therapy, using heat and radiofrequency (RFA) waves to block off a vein Endoscopic vein surgery, using a small lighted scope inserted through a small incision to block off a vein