Varicose Veins

Are varicose veins a thing of beauty, I don’t think so. Varicose veins usually affect the legs. One cause that influences varicose and spider veins is directed towards being a hand me down condition, in other words heredity. Other causes for raised swollen blood vessels that twist and turn is obesity, birth control pills, a history of blood clots, and post-menopausal hormonal replacement. Varicose veins can develop in people whose jobs entail standing for long hours. Occupations can be machine workers in a factory beauticians, teachers and evennurses who are on their feet all day. (Not every one who holds one of these positions gets them)

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Spider veins are smaller than varicose veins, these too twist and turn; they can be red purple and blue. Spider veins normally appear on the lower limbs also (legs) and are visible under the skin surface

Other given reasons as to why these veins occur include injury to the skin, previous venous surgery and exposure to ultraviolet rays. No one is exempt from getting varicose veins; however they are more recognised in women. Varicose veins and spider veins increase in frequency with age. Because the veins affect more women than men it now becomes a beauty quest to be rid of them for most females. An estimated 30% to 60% of adults have varicose veins or spider veins.

Both vein types can be painful. Sufferers describe their discomfort as an aching or cramping in the legs. Common symptoms include fatigue, uneasiness, burning, a pulsating throb, tingling or heaviness in the legs. Most patients find that by elevating the legs or wearing support hose helps ease the pain.

Symptoms can worsen when a woman is menstruating. Other symptoms that a patient can develop is swelling, ulcers (large sores), and an increase in the pigmentation or darkening of the colour of their skin, especially in the ankle region. If you at any time are concerned about a health matter regardless of it having anything to do with varicose veins or not you should see your doctor. Occasionally, varicose and spider veins can form a painful blood clot with inflammation of the vein called thrombophlebitis.

Varicose veins are permanently dilated (widened) and twisted veins.
Veins contain one-way valves every few inches to help the blood return to the heart against gravity. If these valves leak then the increased pressure prevents the blood from draining properly. The valves may leak and fail because of previous vein disease, e.g. thrombophlebitis, pressure on the veins in the pelvis from pregnancy or other causes raise pressure within the abdomen.

In some case other than the pain factor some women have their veins treated just because they look unsightly. To ease discomfort take frequent rest periods with the legs elevated if this is possible. In mild cases, lightweight elastic compression stockings should be worn for relief. Never ignore your varicose veins and let your doctor determine the best medication for your condition. Depending on the severity of the veins in the leg and how much pain they cause then complete removal of the vein from ankle to groin may be necessary (ligation and stripping).

If the varicose veins are allowed to worsen there is a risk of developing other life threatening diseases: deep vein thromboses being one, other conditions include phlebitis (inflammation of the wall of the vein) leg ulcers (sores) eczema.

For those looking for cosmetic improvement on small localised 'spider veins' (idiopathic telangiectases) can be treated with injections using a needle with a very fine bore. Laser treatment can also be effective for these small veins.