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.
There are various causes of the condition. Age is one of them. As one gets older, their veins lose elasticity, making them to stretch. Valves within them may become weak, allowing blood that should be moving towards the heart to flow backwards. Blood will pool will within the blood vessels, making them to enlarge. They have the blue color because they have blood that is deoxygenated. It is blood that is in the process of going to the lungs for oxygenation.
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 most cases, self care will be enough to bring some kind of relief. If they do not, there are other procedures that are used. They are less invasive and thus treatment will be done on an outpatient basis. Other forms of treatment include laser surgery, catheter-assisted procedures, vein stripping and endoscopic vein surgery.
Most of these treatments are effective and one will recover after a short period. However, it is possible that the condition will recur. If it does, treatment will be done again, preferably a different form of treatment.
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.
There are various causes of the condition. Age is one of them. As one gets older, their veins lose elasticity, making them to stretch. Valves within them may become weak, allowing blood that should be moving towards the heart to flow backwards. Blood will pool will within the blood vessels, making them to enlarge. They have the blue color because they have blood that is deoxygenated. It is blood that is in the process of going to the lungs for oxygenation.
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 most cases, self care will be enough to bring some kind of relief. If they do not, there are other procedures that are used. They are less invasive and thus treatment will be done on an outpatient basis. Other forms of treatment include laser surgery, catheter-assisted procedures, vein stripping and endoscopic vein surgery.
Most of these treatments are effective and one will recover after a short period. However, it is possible that the condition will recur. If it does, treatment will be done again, preferably a different form of treatment.
