Varicose Veins

Taken from a Latin term “varix”, meaning “twisted” in English, the word “varicose” is used to describe gnarled and enlarged veins. Any vein in the body can develop and become a varicose, but those which are usually affected are the ones found in the feet and legs. This is due to the fact that walking and standing, the two most common activities, increase the amount of pressure exerted in the veins found in the lower part of the body.

For most individuals, varicose veins are merely a cosmetic issue, along with its milder, more common, and medically unrelated version called spider veins. But for some patients, varicose veins come with great discomfort and undue pain. In some cases, the condition can even lead to more serious medical issues. Varicose veins are also known be a risk factor of certain circulatory system disorders. The condition is very common in the United States, occurring in 25% of women and 15% of men.

Not all varicose veins symptoms are experienced by every patient. Some do not feel any discomfort at all. However, painful and bothersome symptoms are likely to occur, such as: itching around the veins; appearance of skin ulcers, representing a severe type of vascular disease; heavy feeling, throbbing, burning swelling, muscle cramping and pain on the legs.

A high blood pressure in the leg veins can lead to the onset of varicose veins. Although it’s hard to point out exactly what the cause of varicose veins is, there are known risk factors which can increase one’s chances of suffering from the condition. Such factors include: smoking, family history of the condition, inadequate exercise, being overweight, prolonged sitting or standing, and having deep vein thrombosis or DVT. Women are also more prone to develop the condition than men. Moreover, varicose veins generally occur in people who are 30-70 years old.

Pregnant women are also highly susceptible to develop the condition. However, the veins usually return to their normal state within a year after giving birth. Women who have had several pregnancies are likely to have the varicose veins for good.

Before the doctor conducts a physical examination of the patient’s condition, questions pertaining to general health, symptoms, and medical history must first be satisfied. The physical examination of the color and texture of the prominent veins follows, including an application of hand pressure on the veins. This will show how blood fills the veins. To aid in the diagnosis, the doctor may recommend the patient to undergo a test known as duplex ultrasound.

Duplex ultrasound is a procedure which makes use of waves with frequencies higher than the ones human hearing is capable of detecting. This procedure serves to measure blood flow rate, as well as to check on the leg vein structure. The test lasts around 20 minutes. Duplex ultrasound is also capable of showing whether the varicose veins are symptoms of an underlying condition.

Some varicose veins have the tendency to worsen when left untreated. For mild and moderate cases, doctors may require patients to elevate their legs to a level above their hearts as often as possible, and not less than 3-4 times daily, with each lasting around 15 minutes. Patients who have to stand for prolonged periods should flex their legs once in a while to allow continuous flow of blood. Severe cases of varicose veins may require patients to use compression stockings. For a lot of patients, compression stockings may very well be the only thing that can relieve symptoms and possibly prevent problems later on.

As with other medical conditions, prevention is more crucial than cure. But those who have already developed varicose veins are not left hopeless either.