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Varicose VeinsVaricose Veins, Vascular System and Prevention of Varicose VeinsTo better understand varicose Veins you should first learn about your circulation system: Veins carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart for re-oxygenation, and leg muscles squeeze the blood back up via the veins. Veins have little valves that stop the blood from moving backwards, and these valves only open and close in one direction. If something causes them to become leaky, blood moves backwards, essentially leaking back into the portion of the vein it just left, and then stagnates. Venous insufficiency, or blood pooling in the veins, causes small pouching and enlargement of the veins, called varicose veins. More than half of American women have some form of varicosity, and about 40% of American men suffer from this too. As we age the statistics rise, and nearly half the population over 55 will have some degree of varicose veins.Blue, purple or even flesh colored, these protruding veins can be barely palpable, or swollen and twisted. They are usually on the calf area, or inner leg, and tops of thighs. Varicose veins are genetic, the likelihood of getting them increases with age, and hormonal changes can precipitate them. Some medications can increase the likelihood of getting them, and inheriting weak valves predispose people to getting them too. Being obese, having a leg injury, and prolonged standing may increase your chances of some form of varicose veins. Even if you do not see protruding veins, but have pain, legs that tire easily, leg swelling, numbness, or itching and localized rash, you may have varicose veins. Varicose veins get worse, and can lead to skin ulcers, and blood clots. You cannot prevent them, but you can lessen the chance of getting more varicose veins by exercising to improve circulation, losing weight, wearing support hose, eating low-salt and fiber rich foods, and resting with your legs elevated. What Happens if Varicose Vein Treatment is not Received in Time?Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic nuisance, but also a painful disease that could lead to skin ulcers, and blood clots. Fungal infections can happen due to a build up of fluid in the legs due to faulty vein valves. Varicose veins do not heal and disappear by themselves. Varicose veins can also point to greater circulatory problems that are so far undetected. Untreated varicose veins will lead to throbbing, redness, difficulty walking, cause people to remove themselves from not only life’s pleasures, but make the activities of daily living difficult if not impossible to achieve. Varicose Vein Treatment Cure or MaintainVaricose vein treatment, whether sclerotherapy for spider veins or EVLT for varicose veins, is based on the condition of your veins and the judgment of your varicose vein, doctor. Once the vein is treated, no blood will flow through the treated vein, and the vein itself should cause no further problems. You also may be like millions of Americans who suffer from Spider Veins. |