Varicose Veins

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Varicose veins

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are veins on the leg which are large, twisted, and ropelike, and can cause pain, swelling, or itching. They are an extreme form of telangiectasia, or spider veins.

Varicose veins result due to insufficiency of the valves in the communicating veins. These are veins which link the superficial and deep veins of the lower limb. Normally, blood flows from the superficial to the deep veins, facilitating return of blood to the heart. However, when the valve becomes defective, blood is forced into the superficial veins by the action of the muscle pump (which normally aids return of blood to the heart by compressing the deep veins).

Contents

Symptoms

  • Aching, heavy legs (often worse at night)
  • Ankle swelling
  • A brownish-blue shiny skin discoloration around the veins
  • Skin over the vein may become dry, itchy and thin, leading to eczema (venous eczema)
  • The skin may darken (stasis dermatitis), because of the waste products building up in the legs
  • Minor injuries to the area may bleed more than normal and/or take a long time to heal
  • Rarely, there is a large amount of bleeding from a ruptured vein
  • In some people the skin above the ankle may shrink (lipodermatosclerosis) because the fat underneath the skin becomes hard.

Causes

Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, and are linked with heredity. Other related factors are pregnancy, obesity, menopause, aging, prolonged standing, leg injury and abdominal straining. Varicose veins are bulging veins that are larger than spider veins, typically 3 mm or more in diameter.

Non-medical treatment

The irritation -- especially the itching -- of varicose veins can be controlled to an extent with either of the following:

  • anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin -- but there is a risk of intestinal bleeding.
  • regular exercise, including vein gymnastics, wading through water and going barefoot.

Medical treatment

The treatment of varicose veins varies per patient. It depends upon the results of an ultrasound examination.

Some of the treatment options include surgery which uses lasers to close off the blood flow to the abnormal vein. Below is a list of vein treatment options:

  • sclerotherapy
  • EVLT (endovenous laser treatment)
  • ambulatory phlebectomy
  • radiofrequency occlusion
  • vein ligation
  • vein stripping
This article (or parts thereof) is copied from an article on Wikipedia.org - the free encyclopedia created and edited by online user community. Although the vast majority of the wikipedia encyclopedia articles provide accurate and timely information please do not assume the accuracy of any particular article. This article is distributed under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License.

Articles:

Healthwise: Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are not only unsightly, they can also be very harmful. In this week's Martha Jefferson Healthwise, CBS19's Stephanie Satchell discovered how doctors are using technology to make those veins disappear.
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:37:42 -0700

AngioDynamics launches new access kit for VenaCure EVLT system to treat varicose veins
AngioDynamics announced today the launch of a new access kit allowing fewer procedure steps and faster procedure time for physicians using the VenaCure EVLT system's NeverTouch® gold-tip laser fiber to treat varicose veins.
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:33:43 -0700

New Varicose Veins Treatment
Area Doctor Using New Body Contouring Device Dr. Mark Blumenthal from Vein Center Cosmed, uses this FDA approved procedure, using a Accent Laser that is a body contouring device. Treatment provides effectiveness in tightening loose skin, promoting healthy collagen production and improving body contours.
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:33:16 -0700

Doc discusses new varicose veins treatment
Vascular surgeon Dr. Melinda Aquino provides a revolutionary new treatment for varicose veins, which is both safer and less painful, at her Seton Medical Center office in Daly City and the Vein Center at St. Mary?s Hospital in San Francisco. What causes varicose veins? Varicose veins are usually caused by...
Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:36:59 -0700

A quick, less painful treatment for varicose veins
There is a new procedure to get rid of varicose veins that is quicker and less painful than before.
Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:29:40 -0700

Help available for people suffering from varicose veins
Bryan Clements had problems with swelling, painful, tight andsore legs.
Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:55:41 -0700

Julia Roberts Does Not Have Varicose Veins
Julia Roberts wants everyone to know she does not have varicose veins.
Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:00:02 -0700

Treatment approved for varicose veins
A treatment for varicose veins has been federally approved. It is a disease that blocks the normal flow of blood in the lower part of the body.
Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:04:20 -0700

Julia Roberts: No Botox for Wrinkles! (But Varicose Veins Bother)
Julia Roberts doesn't mind wrinkles. But varicose veins? Ew. The Eat Pray Love star, who's all over the place promoting her new film, explains why she isn't a fan of Botox....
Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:28:06 -0700

VIDEO: Does Julia Roberts Have Varicose Veins?
Not only is Julia Roberts still a pretty woman, she wants you to know she doesn't have varicose veins. Watch the clip on RadarOnline.com The 42-year-old stunner appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman Wednesday night, and was less-than-thrilled with the way she was introduced.
Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:48:22 -0700

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