When veins near the surface of the skin enlarge and become more obvious, they are called varicose veins. This problem occurs most often in the legs, because the weight of the body puts the most pressure on this area, but they can occur anywhere. While not usually dangerous, occasionally surgery vein can lead to or be indicative of other problems.
Veins in your body have one-way valves that function to keep blood flowing only towards the heart, by preventing it from flowing in the other direction. Varicose veins happen when a combination of the vein walls weakening and the valves starting to leak occurs. The veins fill with extra blood, and stretch into larger, more visible structures under the skin.
Potential risk factors for developing varicose veins are pregnancy, standing for long periods of time, heredity, and age. Carrying extra pounds can also contribute to their development. All of these situations, with the exceptions of age and heredity, put excess pressure on the veins in the legs, which can cause the valves to leak.
Usually, varicose veins are not an indication of a bigger problem but occasionally they can mean you have developed a blood clot, vein abnormalities, or a tumor. This means that when you notice the problem, you should check with a doctor to rule out these issues. The diagnosis is usually made by simply looking at the veins with the patient in a standing position. Unless deep vein abnormalities are suspected, no other test is typically performed. If your doctor is concerned about deep vein involvement, an ultrasound may be done.
At home treatment for varicose veins usually consists of staying off your feet for long periods of time, elevating your legs when possible, wearing compression stockings and attempting to lose weight if necessary. Exercise helps with circulatory issues, so walking, swimming, biking or doing other activities is typically recommended. These treatment methods can also be used as preventative methods in people at a high risk of developing varicose veins.
If your veins need medical treatment, the options are generally excision of the affected veins, laser and radio therapy treatments, or sclerotherapy; all of these are options available from Michigan vein clinic. Sclerotherapy is done by injecting a chemical into an affected vein, which then scars shut in response. It gets the best results on smaller veins. Laser and radio therapy treatments also close the veins by inducing scarring, but are effective on somewhat larger veins. The largest veins, though, usually require surgical excision.
Once your doctor has confirmed that your varicose veins are not caused by any serious problem, watchful waiting is usually prescribed. If the problem doesn’t cause you discomfort, home treatments are probably adequate. Call your doctor if bleeding over the veins occurs, sores develop, or your leg becomes swollen and painful. These could indicate potentially serious problems.
Because varicose veins can be unsightly as well as potentially problematic, some people opt to have them removed even if they are experiencing no symptoms. But since the problem results from leaky valves, the issue can occur in different veins after the originally affected ones are removed. If you have varicose veins removed, following the preventative measures outlined by your doctor can help keep them from recurring.