Are you suffering from tired achy legs at the end of the day? It could be due to varicose veins.

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that often appear blue or purple on your legs. They occur when the valves inside your veins don’t work properly, causing blood to pool and your veins to bulge.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

• Visible, bulging veins on your legs
• Aching, heaviness, or throbbing pain in your legs, especially after standing or sitting for long periods
• Itching around the affected veins
• Swelling in your ankles and feet
• Darkening / thickening of the skin or ulcers near the affected veins
• Non healing wounds around the ankle in the advanced stages with severe pain

Who is at risk for varicose veins?

• Women
• People whose work involves standing for long hours – teachers, nurses, police
• People over 50
• People who are overweight or obese
• People who have a family history of varicose veins
• People who have had a previous pregnancy

What to do if you have bulging veins on your leg and have achy legs?

Please consult a endovascular specialist who will examine you and perform a Doppler ultrasound scan to confirm the diagnosis.

How are varicose veins treated?

The treatment for varicose veins depends on the severity of your symptoms. Some options include:

• Lifestyle changes: Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, avoid crossing your legs, and elevate your legs when possible.
• Compression stockings: These can help improve blood flow and reduce swelling.
• Sclerotherapy: This involves injecting a solution into the veins to make them collapse.
• Laser/ Radiofrequency/ Microwave ablation: Pinhole procedure which uses a laser/RFA or Microwave energy to heat and close the affected veins.
• Glue ablation: Newer pinhole procedure which involves injection of glue to close the vein.

How can I prevent varicose veins?

While you can’t always prevent varicose veins, you can take steps to reduce your risk:

• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods
• Elevate your legs when possible
• Wear compression stockings
• Avoid tight clothing
• Quit smoking
• Eat a healthy diet

If you are experiencing symptoms of varicose veins, it is important to see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Early treatment can help prevent complications and improve your quality of life.