It is possible for any vein to become varicose but the most affected are those in the legs and the feet. Varicose veins are gnarled, large veins. The feet are the most commonly affected because walking and standing upright increases the pressure in the veins of the part body. For most people, this condition is merely a cosmetic concern. For others however, it causes pain and discomfort. They may also signal higher risk of circulatory problems.
In most cases however, there will be no pain. It is important to therefore know the symptoms that could indicate one is suffering from it. Veins that are affected have a blue or purple color, appear twisted and bulging and are likely to look like cords in the legs. More often than not the pain that is felt is experienced after one stands or walks for a long time. Itching will also be experienced in the legs.
Self care involves doing certain exercises and elevation of the legs. These will ease pain. The use of compression stockings also brings positive results after a short time. There are instances when these methods will not work or the individual is concerned about their appearance. If this is the case, then a doctor will have to be consulted.
This condition is attributed to various causes. Age is one such cause. As one ages, the veins lose their elasticity, stretching as a result. This will cause the valves inside them to become weak. When the valves weaken, blood that should be going to the heart will flow backward and pool within the vessels. This makes them to enlarge. The blue color in them is because they do not have oxygen. It is the blood that was to be oxygenated in the lungs.
Some pregnant women also develop the condition. Pregnancy is attributed to the increase in blood volume through the body, but also with a decrease in flow of blood from legs to the pelvis. It is a circulatory change that is meant to support fetal growth. It will however lead to enlargement of blood vessels. This condition will however improve without any medical treatment within three months of delivery.
When it comes to treatment, you should be a cautious consumer. There are many misleading advertisements which come with a promise of painless and permanent treatment methods. The doctor should be consulted prior to considering any treatments. They will advise on side effects or health risks of the procedure being considered. It is also important to find out the treatment costs and find out if they are covered by insurance.
In majority of the cases, self care is enough to bring relief. If they however do not, other procedures will be used. Most of them are less invasive and thus are done on an outpatient basis. The forms of treatment include catheter-assisted procedures, laser surgery, endoscopic vein surgical operation and laser surgery.
The treatments options are effective and relief comes after just some months. It is however possible that the condition will recur. If that be the case, another form of treatment may be considered.
In most cases however, there will be no pain. It is important to therefore know the symptoms that could indicate one is suffering from it. Veins that are affected have a blue or purple color, appear twisted and bulging and are likely to look like cords in the legs. More often than not the pain that is felt is experienced after one stands or walks for a long time. Itching will also be experienced in the legs.
Self care involves doing certain exercises and elevation of the legs. These will ease pain. The use of compression stockings also brings positive results after a short time. There are instances when these methods will not work or the individual is concerned about their appearance. If this is the case, then a doctor will have to be consulted.
This condition is attributed to various causes. Age is one such cause. As one ages, the veins lose their elasticity, stretching as a result. This will cause the valves inside them to become weak. When the valves weaken, blood that should be going to the heart will flow backward and pool within the vessels. This makes them to enlarge. The blue color in them is because they do not have oxygen. It is the blood that was to be oxygenated in the lungs.
Some pregnant women also develop the condition. Pregnancy is attributed to the increase in blood volume through the body, but also with a decrease in flow of blood from legs to the pelvis. It is a circulatory change that is meant to support fetal growth. It will however lead to enlargement of blood vessels. This condition will however improve without any medical treatment within three months of delivery.
When it comes to treatment, you should be a cautious consumer. There are many misleading advertisements which come with a promise of painless and permanent treatment methods. The doctor should be consulted prior to considering any treatments. They will advise on side effects or health risks of the procedure being considered. It is also important to find out the treatment costs and find out if they are covered by insurance.
In majority of the cases, self care is enough to bring relief. If they however do not, other procedures will be used. Most of them are less invasive and thus are done on an outpatient basis. The forms of treatment include catheter-assisted procedures, laser surgery, endoscopic vein surgical operation and laser surgery.
The treatments options are effective and relief comes after just some months. It is however possible that the condition will recur. If that be the case, another form of treatment may be considered.
