Varicose Veins

Symptoms

Varicose veins can cause a number of symptoms, including:

• Aching, heavy, and uncomfortable legs
• Swollen feet and ankles
• Burning or throbbing in your legs
• Muscle cramps in your legs, particularly at night
• Dry, itchy, and thin skin over the affected vein

Causes

Several factors can increase your risk of developing varicose veins, including:

• Being female: Women are more likely to develop varicose veins than men, especially during pregnancy and menopause.
• Having a family history of varicose veins: If a close family member has varicose veins, you are more likely to develop them as well.
• Being overweight or obese: Excess weight puts extra strain on your veins.
• Standing or sitting for long periods: This can increase pressure in the veins of your legs.
• Aging: As you age, your vein walls become weaker and less elastic.

Treatment

There are a number of treatments available for varicose veins, depending on the severity of the condition. These include:

• Self-care measures: These include elevating your legs, wearing compression stockings, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight.
• Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected into the vein, which irritates the lining and causes the vein to collapse and scar shut.
• Laser treatment: Lasers are used to heat and close the varicose vein.
• Radiofrequency ablation: Radiofrequency energy is used to heat and close the varicose vein (Click here to read more on Endovenous laser/ RFA/ glue ablation for varicose veins)
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the varicose vein.

Complications

In rare cases, varicose veins can lead to serious complications, such as:

• Skin ulcers: These are open sores that can develop on the legs near the varicose veins.
• Blood clots: Blood clots can form in varicose veins and travel to the lungs, which can be life-threatening.