What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, tortuous veins seen in the legs and feet. They may occur as small spider veins or may become extremely enlarged. It is estimated that almost 40% of people above the age of 50 years may have some form of varicose veins.

In the vast majority of patients, these veins cause no discomfort or pain, although they are potentially harmful.

The reasons why the walls of the veins stretch and the valves in your veins weaken which cause varicose veins aren’t fully understood. Some people develop the condition for anonymous reasons.

Increased risk

A number of things account for the chances of developing varicose veins, including:

• Being female
• Having a close family member with varicose veins
• Older age
• Being overweight
• Having a job that involves long periods of standing
• Pregnancy
• Other conditions 

Gender

Women are more likely to be affected by varicose veins than men because science suggests that this may be because female hormones tend to relax the walls of veins, making the valves more prone to leaking.
Hormones are chemicals produced by the body, and changes may be caused by pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome or menopause.

Genetics

Risk of developing varicose veins increases if a person has a hereditary history of it.
This suggests varicose veins may be partly caused by your genes (the units of genetic material you inherit from your parents).
Visit our page on genetics for more information about how you inherit your physical and behavioral characteristics.

Age

As one gets older, our veins start to lose their elasticity and the valves inside them stop working as well.

Being overweight

Being overweight puts extra pressure on your veins, which means they have to work harder to send the blood back to your heart.
This can put increased pressure on the valves, making them more prone to leaking.
The impact of body weight contributes more in women on the development of varicose veins.
Use the healthy weight calculator to check whether you’re overweight.

Occupation

Some research suggests jobs that require long periods of standing may increase your risk of getting varicose veins.
This is because your blood doesn’t flow as easily when you’re standing for long periods of time.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the amount of blood increases to help support the developing baby. This puts extra strain on your veins.
Hormone levels increases during pregnancy which also cause the muscular walls of the blood vessels to relax, and increases the risk.
As the womb expands it puts pressure on the veins in your pelvic area, which may contribute to varicose veins.

Other conditions
In very rare cases, varicose veins is also caused by other conditions.
These include:

• A previous blood clot
• A swelling or tumor in the pelvis
• Abnormal blood vessels 

SYMPTOMS

Many people with varicose veins do not have any physical symptoms. Some people though, may, however, have concerns over the cosmetic appearance of varicose veins.

Symptoms of varicose veins may include:

• Twisted, swollen, and lumpy (bulging) veins.
• Aching
• Cramps
• Swelling
• Itching
• Fatigue
• Blue or dark purple Veins
• Telangiectasia (spider leg veins)in the affected leg.
• Skin in the affected area is noticed to be red, itchy and dry.
• Some individuals experience leg cramps, while suddenly standing up.
• People also have restless legs syndrome accompanied.

Some people complain of pressure and dull ache sensation from varicose veins.

More severe but less common symptoms of varicose veins may include bleeding, thrombophlebitis which is the formation of a blood clot within the varicose vein, skin ulceration and a weeping oozing dermatitis or stasis dermatitis. In long-standing venous disease, the skin may become fibrotic and scarred, forming an inverted “hourglass” appearance. These complications of varicose veins should be evaluated by a doctor promptly.

There are many different treatments available for varicose veins. These treatments vary based upon the presence of different symptoms, size, and location of the varicose veins, in cases of accompanying skin changes like swelling, dermatitis or ulceration, etc.

Here are some potential treatments briefly talked about, which may include:

• Leg elevation while sitting or sleeping
• Compression dressings with single or multilayered systems
• Compression stockings
• Sclerotherapy (injection of a foam or a liquid into the vein to form a clot and help permanently destroy the vessel)
• Ablation (destruction) of abnormal veins with techniques using laser, radio frequency, etc.
• Surgery which includes removal of varicose veins, including “phlebectomy” or vein stripping.

   

In general, laser therapy or sclerotherapy are helpful in treating spider veins (telangiectasias), but anyways ablation and surgery are a better option for larger varicose veins.

Is treatment always necessary?

No, not if varicose and spider veins are primarily a cosmetic problem. Severe cases, especially those associated with ulcers and dermatitis that do not respond to varicose vein physiotherapy treatment, generally demand further treatment.

Thousands of people every year consider getting treatment for varicose veins.

How can Physiotherapy for Varicose Veins help?

Varicose veins are primarily caused by inactivity in the legs over a course of a long period of time. While there’s no way by which it can be completely prevented, Walking, swimming and biking are a good choice of low impact activities. Varicose vein physiotherapy treatment helps to accomplish relief in symptoms.

Exercise

Exercise can increase your body’s ability to pump blood up the leg back toward the heart. It also decreases your chances of getting varicose veins. Generally, low-impact exercised constituting of physiotherapy for varicose veins include the following:

Walking or Running
Walking just 30 minutes a day for five days a week can yield good benefits.

Leg Lifts
One has to Sit or lie on their back while sticking your feet straight out. Lift one leg at a time up, holding it in the air. Slowly lower it down and repeat with the other leg.

Bicycling or Bicycle Legs
Riding a bike or stationary bike is also helpful. If you don’t have access to any kind of bike, you can try bicycle leg exercise. While lying on your back, put your legs in the air, bending them at the knee. Pedal slowly as if you are bicycling.

Lunges
Moving your legs apart in standing position, Step forward to slowly bend your knees, keeping it directly above your ankle. Hold the position and then slowly straighten your leg and step back to your original position.

Rocking Your Feet
Can be done sitting or standing, rock your feet back and forth from heel to toe.

• Quality health care for every generation.
• We offer multiple Convenient Locations just around thae corner…
• We’re proud to feature the most advanced technology…