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Varicose Veins
Varicose Veins
- What are varicose veins?
- Varicose veins can be a sign of a medical problem?
- How common are varicose veins and venous reflux disease?
- What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
- Am I at risk for developing varicose veins?
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be flesh colored, dark purple or
blue. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They are
swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They can be small, thin purple-colored lines (called "spider veins")
that lie just below the skin surface, or they can appear as thick, bulging or
knotty veins.
Varicose veins can be a sign of a medical problem?
Yes. In healthy legs, your veins contain valves that normally allow blood to move in one direction, returning blood from your legs to your heart. When the valves in your leg veins cannot close properly, the blood pools in your leg veins which causes pressure and swelling. This pooling and pressure caused by diseased vein valves is a symptom of venous reflux disease.
About 50 to 55% of American women and 40 to 45% of American men suffer from
some form of vein problem. Varicose veins affect 1 out of 2 people age 50 and
older.
Who usually has varicose veins and spider veins?
Many factors increase a person's chances of developing varicose or spider
veins. These include:
- Increasing Age
- Having family members with vein problems or being born with weak vein
valves
- Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and
progesterone also increase the risk of varicose or spider veins
- Pregnancy. During pregnancy there is a huge increase in the amount of
blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding uterus also
puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months
after delivery. A growing number of abnormal veins usually appear with each
additional pregnancy
- Obesity, leg injury, prolonged standing and other things that weaken vein
valves
- Sun exposure, which can cause spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a
fair-skinned person
Why do varicose veins usually appear in the legs?
The force of gravity, the pressure of body weight, and the task of carrying
blood from the bottom of the body up to the heart make legs the primary location
for varicose and spider veins. Compared with other veins in the body, leg veins
have the toughest job of carrying blood back to the heart. They endure the most
pressure. This pressure can be stronger than the veins' one-way valves.
Are varicose veins and spider veins painful or
dangerous?
Severe varicose veins can cause health problems. These include:
- Severe venous insufficiency. This severe pooling of blood in the veins
slows the return of blood to the heart. This condition can cause blood clots
and severe infections. Blood clots can be very dangerous because they can move
from leg veins and travel to the lungs. Blood clots in the lungs are
life-threatening because they can block the heart and lungs from functioning.
- Sores or skin ulcers can occur on skin tissue around varicose veins.
- Ongoing irritation, swelling and painful rashes of the legs.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Some common symptoms of varicose veins include:
- Aching pain
- Easily tired legs
- Leg heaviness
- Swelling in the legs
- Darkening of the skin (in severe cases)
- Numbness in the legs
- Itching or irritated rash in the legs
Should I see a doctor about varicose veins?
Remember these important questions when deciding whether to see your doctor:
Has the varicose vein become swollen, red, or very tender or warm to the touch?
- If yes, see your doctor.
- If no, are there sores or a rash on the leg or near the ankle with the
varicose vein, or do you think there may be circulation problems in your feet?
o If yes, see your doctor.
o If no, continue to follow the self-care tips above.
How are varicose and spider veins treated?
Not all cases of varicose veins are the same. Talk to your doctor about what
treatment options are best for your condition and lifestyle.
Besides a physical exam, your doctor can take x-rays or ultrasound pictures of
the vein to find the cause and severity of the problem.
Treatment Options
Click here to find out more.
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