Varicose veins: get rid of the pain in a simpler way

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are large, swollen veins that often appear on the legs and feet. They happen when the valves in the veins do not work properly, so the blood does not flow effectively.

The veins rarely need treatment for health reasons, but if swelling, aching, and painful legs result, and if there is considerable discomfort, treatment is available.

There are various options, including some home remedies.

In severe cases, a varicose vein may rupture, or develop into varicose ulcers on the skin. These will require treatment.

Symptoms :

• veins look twisted, swollen, and lumpy (bulging)
• the veins are blue or dark purple

Some patients may also experience:

• aching legs
• legs feel heavy, especially after exercise or at night
• a minor injury to the affected area may result in longer bleeding than normal
• lipodermatosclerosis - fat under the skin just above the ankle can become hard, resulting in the skin shrinking
• swollen ankles
• telangiectasia in the affected leg (spider veins)
• there may be a shiny skin discoloration near the varicose veins, usually brownish or blue in color
• venous eczema (stasis dermatitis) - skin in the affected area is red, dry, and itchy
• when suddenly standing up, some individuals experience leg cramps
• a high percentage of people with varicose veins also have restless legs syndrome
• atrophy Blanche - irregular whitish patches that look like scars appear at the ankles

Complications

Any condition in which proper blood flow is undermined has a risk of complications. However, in the majority of cases, varicose veins have no complications. If complications do occur, they may include:

• Bleeding.
• Thrombophlebitis: Blood clots in the vein of the leg cause inflammation of the vein.
• Chronic venous insufficiency - the skin does not exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste products with the blood properly because the blood flow is weak. Chronic venous insufficiency is not caused by varicose veins, but the two entities are closely related.

Causes :

The veins have one-way valves so that the blood can travel in only one direction. If the walls of the vein become stretched and less flexible (elastic), the valves may get weaker. A weakened valve can allow blood to leak backward and eventually flow in the opposite direction. When this occurs, blood can accumulate in the vein(s), which then become enlarged and swollen.

The veins furthest from the heart are most often affected, such as those in the legs. This is because gravity makes it harder for blood to flow back to the heart. Any condition that puts pressure on the abdomen has the potential to cause varicose veins; for instance, pregnancy, constipation and, in rare cases, tumors.

Risk Factors :

Experts are not sure why the walls of veins stretch or why the valves become faulty. In many cases, it occurs for no clear reason. However, some potential risk factors include:

• menopause
• pregnancy
• being aged over 50
• standing for long periods
• a family history of varicose veins
• obesity

The following risk factors are linked to a higher risk of having varicose veins:

• Gender: Varicose veins affect women more often than males. It may be that female hormone relax veins. If so, taking birth control pills or hormone therapy (HT) might contribute.
• Genetics: Varicose veins often run in families.
• Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of varicose veins.
• Age: The risk increases with age, due to wear and tear on vein valves.
• Some jobs: An individual who has to spend a long time standing at work may have a higher chance of varicose veins.

Treatment: The Simpler Way

Interventional Radiology Method - 

Endovenous laser ablation treatment (EVLT)

EVLT is a minimally invasive treatment that uses heat to close off problematic veins and relieve the symptoms they cause. Using imaging guidance (guided by x-ray images), the interventional radiologist threads a thin laser fiber into the problem vein through a tiny needle. Next, the radiologist numbs the length of the vein to minimize discomfort during the heating process. Finally, the laser heat causes the vein to close. Once the problem vein is closed, blood will flow through the remaining healthy veins. This is all accomplished while patients rest comfortably. Return to most normal daily activities is allowed immediately.

Non-thermal treatments

A variety of non-thermal treatment options are also available for varicose veins. These treatments 

include:

• VenaSeal cyanoacrylate: Injects medical glue into the vein to cause closure.
• Clarivein: Guides a rotating catheter, which is a small, flexible tube, inside the vein to evenly disperse a chemical solution that results in complete closure
• Varithena: A foam material is injected into a varicose vein to improve symptoms or appearance.

The main advantage of all of these techniques is the avoidance of multiple needle sticks for

local anesthesia. There is also decreased risk of potential nerve damage that can occur with burns.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the direct injection of a chemical irritant into a vein to close the vessel. 

This technique is often used to treat smaller veins such as telangiectasia (spider veins). 

A variety of materials can be used to irritate the vein lining, which causes them to shrink and close. 

The solution is administered through a tiny needle.