Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are gnarled, enlarged veins close to your skin's surface. Any vein may become varicose, but the most commonly affected areas are legs and feet. Varicose veins are a common condition in the United States, affecting up to 60 percent of all Americans.
For many people, varicose veins and spider veins—a common, mild and medically insignificant variation of varicose veins—are simply a cosmetic concern. For other people, varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort. Sometimes the condition leads to more serious problems. Varicose veins also may signal a higher risk of other disorders of the circulatory system.
This page contains the following information about varicose veins:
- Facts About Varicose Veins
- Risk Factors
- Reducing the Risk
- Symptoms of Varicose Veins
- Self-Help Measures
- Imaging Exams for Detecting Varicose Veins
- Radiology Procedures for Treating Varicose Veins
- Additional Information
Facts About Varicose Veins
Varicose veins occur when blood flow from the legs to the heart decreases and blood begins to pool in the veins.
Normally, valves within the vein help blood flow upward against gravity. When these valves malfunction, they allow blood to flow backwards and pool in the vein. This, coupled with an age-related loss in vein elasticity, results in stretching of the veins that give them a bulging, ropey appearance. In the legs, this process usually occurs in a thigh vein called the great saphenous.
Here are some additional facts about varicose veins:
- It is estimated that 25% of women and 15% of men worldwide have visible varicose veins.
- Varicose veins affect half of people age 50 and older, and 15-20% of all adults.
Risk Factors
Varicose veins are not exclusive to women; however, women, especially older women, are at a higher risk for developing them.
Following are some risk factors that can increase the chances of developing varicose veins:
- Being female
- Over the age of 30
- Overweight
- Family history of varicose veins
- Pregnancy (particularly repeated pregnancies)
- Prolonged sitting or standing
- Injury to the veins
- Blood clots
- Conditions that increase pressure in the abdomen, such as liver disease, fluid in the abdomen, previous groin surgery, or heart failure
Reducing the Risk
You can reduce the risk of varicose veins to some extent by taking the following measures. These may also alleviate the discomfort and slow the progression of existing varicose veins.
- Do not sit or stand for prolonged periods of time
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Wear compression stockings
- Regularly elevate legs
- Avoid tight clothing and high heels
- Don’t sit with your legs crossed
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins may be visible but may not cause any symptoms. Conversely, you may experience symptoms of varicose veins without any being apparent. Varicose veins symptoms are usually mild. However, there can be more severe symptoms and complications with varicose veins.
Symptoms of varicose veins include:
- An achy or heavy feeling in the legs
- Burning, throbbing, or muscle cramping in the legs
- Swelling in the lower legs
- Brownish-gray discoloration around the ankle
- Itching skin over the varicose vein
- Non-healing skin ulcers around the ankle (this represents a serious form of vascular disease which requires immediate attention)
Self-Help Measures
The following self-help measures may alleviate the discomfort and slow the progression of existing varicose veins.
- Do not sit or stand for prolonged periods of time
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Wear compression stockings
- Regularly elevate legs
- Avoid tight clothing and high heels
- Don’t sit with your legs crossed
Imaging Exams for Detecting Varicose Veins
To determine if you have varicose veins and/or their severity, you may first undergo an ultrasound or noninvasive vascular assessment (NIVA). These painless exams assess blood flow through the veins to definitively diagnose varicose veins and look for blood clots, which may cause some symptoms associated with varicose veins.
Radiology Procedures for Treating Varicose Veins
If self-help measures don’t sufficiently alleviate your varicose vein symptoms, there are many treatment options you may consider that are available through physicians. Invision Sally Jobe offers two of the most minimally-invasive procedures currently available.
Endovenous laser therapy for varicose veins, also referred to as VenaCure, is relatively simple procedure that uses laser technology to close the greater saphenous vein. It is virtually painless with a quick recovery time.
Sclerotherapy uses a chemical solution to effectively close small and medium sized varicose veins non-invasively.
Additional Information
The information on this page was taken in part from the following sources. Visit the listed web sites for additional information on varicose veins.
