VARICOSE VEINS

Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged andtwisted. The term commonly refers to the veins on the leg, although varicoseveins occur elsewhere. 

Varicose veins are common in the superficial veins of thelegs, which are subject to high pressure when standing. Leg muscles pump theveins to return blood to the heart. When veins become enlarged, the leaflets ofthe valves no longer meet properly and the valves don't work. One cause ofvalve failure is Deep Vein Thrombosis ( DVT ) which can cause permanent damageto the valves. The blood collects in the veins and they enlarge even more.

Besides cosmetic problems, varicose veins are often painful,especially when standing or walking. They often itch, and scratching them cancause ulcers. Varicose veins are bulging veins that are larger than spiderveins, typically 3 mm or more in diameter.

Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, and arelinked with related factors, such as :

• Heredity
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Menopause
• Aging
• Prolonged standing
• Leg injury
• Abdominal straining
• Symptoms of varicose veins are :
• Aching, heavy legs ( often worse at night and after exercise).
• Ankle swelling.
• A brownish-blue shiny skin discoloration around the veins.
• Skin over the vein may become dry, itchy and thin, leadingto eczema ( venous eczema ).
• The skin may darken ( stasis dermatitis ), because of thewaste products building up in the legs.
• Minor injuries to the area may bleed more than normal and /or take a long time to heal.
• In some people the skin above the ankle may shrink (lipodermatosclerosis ) because the fat underneath the skin becomes hard.
• Restless Legs Syndrome appears to be a common overlappingclinical syndrome in patients with varicose veins and other chronic venousinsufficiency.
• Rarely, there is a large amount of bleeding from a rupturedvein.
• Most varicose veins are relatively benign, but severevaricosities can lead to major complications, due to the poor circulationthrough the affected limb.

Complications of varicose veins are :

• Pain, heaviness, inability to walk or stand for long hoursthus hindering work.
• Skin conditions / Dermatitis which could predispose skinloss.
• Development of carcinoma or sarcoma in longstanding venousulcers.

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