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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
even  nurses 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.
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