Varicose veins is a medical condition where the veins become large and swollen and begin to appear so especially on the legs and feet though any vein can become varicose. This happens when the valves do not function properly and allow the blood to flow in the opposite direction or to pool. Due to this, the veins enlarge, and they begin to appear blue or dark purple on the skin. Legs and feet are the most commonly affected areas because standing or walking increases the pressure on the veins in the lower part of the body.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Apart from the twisted and bulging appearance like cords in blue and dark purple, varicose veins may include other painful symptoms as well such as-

Throbbing feeling and aching, heavy feeling in the legs.
Muscle cramping and swelling in the legs.
Severe pain after sitting or standing for a long period of time.
Bleeding varicose pains.
Treatment for Varicose Veins
In severe cases, varicose veins may rupture and form varicose ulcers on the skin. To avoid complications, it is best to get varicose veins treated before it worsens. Varicose veins can be treated in two ways- either by surgeries or by non-surgical methods, that is, by home remedies, medicines or non-invasive methods.

Surgical methods to treat Varicose Veins
Vein Stripping - Under general anesthesia, two cuts are made one below the groin and one behind the knee joint. The affected vein is then tied or clamped off at the top incision using a technique called vein ligation
Phlebotomy is another method where smaller incisions are made along the vein and using surgical instruments, the vein is pulled out.
Though treating varicose veins by surgeries is the most effective method, it involves several risks. Patients take a longer time to recover from surgeries than non-surgical methods. The sedation may cause complications. Chances of nerve injuries cannot be negated which may lead to fatal conditions such as deep vein thrombosis.

Non-surgical methods to treat Varicose Veins

Radiofrequency ablation is a method in which heat generated electromagnetic waves are used to close off the veins.
Endogenous laser ablation- in this case, lasers are used to close off veins.
Sclerotherapy is another method where a liquid or foam is injected into the affected vein to close it off.
Although big veins cannot be treated by these methods or additional treatments may be required, these methods are not only effective but also free from cuts and stitches or anesthesia. Performance of these treatments need not always take place in hospitals, special clinics can cure varicose veins using these methods. It is always advisable to consult doctors for treating varicose veins who can suggest the best treatment needed to cure varicose veins.


Surgical & Non-Surgical Treatment Options For Varicose Veins - Which Is Better?

The veins are a type of blood vessels which collect impure blood from all parts of the body and return it to the heart. The veins in the legs especially are quite thick and need to exert extra pressure to pump blood against gravity towards the heart. In quite a few people, these veins could be engorged, swollen, and twisted, which are known medically as varicose veins.

Causes:
Defective or damaged valves in the blood vessels. Normally, the blood flow is controlled by valves which ensure blood flows in the desirable direction. When these valves are not able to control the flow of blood, then varicose veins can return
Thin vein walls can lead to improper flow of blood, resulting in varicose veins

Risk factors:

Prolonged standing
Obesity
Pregnancy
Smoking
Surgery in the leg, which could have hampered the values or veins
Age, as the elasticity of the vessels, reduces with age and can impede normal blood flow
Family history
Symptoms:

Blue, swollen veins in the legs which are thin and ropy
Pain with prolonged standing followed by pain and tenderness
Itching and heaviness in the legs
Cramping in the night
Blood clots in the superficial vessels
Severe varicose veins can cause bleeding
The area around the leg feels firm and/or hard
There could be skin changes like scaling, dryness, and color changes
Increased propensity to bleed in the affected leg
Diagnosis:

Usually easily diagnosed in clinical examination
The above-listed features are very characteristic and help in identifying them
Further testing may be done to identify the problematic valve, usually using a tourniquet
Doppler ultrasound, scanning, and MRI may be required to confirm diagnosis, which are quite rarely used
Prevention/Treatment:

Keep the legs elevated as much as possible. During working hours, take short breaks where you are able to elevate the legs
Even in prolonged journeys, try to take a break which will improve circulation
Quit smoking
Compression stocking (Ted hose or Jobst stocking) can be used to improve circulation. They also help in controlling pain and are very commonly recommended to treat varicose veins
Avoiding alcohol, which leads to venous dilation
Weight management, as being overweight is a big risk factor
Do not cross legs when sitting, as it puts constant pressure on the valves
Avoid tight clothing which can put pressure on the veins and/or valves
Keep a regular exercise regimen like walking to improve blood flow
Surgical treatment options include sclerotherapy, laser treatment, and stripping off the vein, but are not usually required.

Varicose Veins - 9 Signs You Are Suffering From It!

Varicose veins are known to be a very common problem, which result in the inflammation of veins in the body. Veins are the blood vessels, which are responsible for the transfer of deoxygenated blood from the different parts of the body to the heart. Because the blood does not contain oxygen, it has a bluish tinge. As a result varicose veins are most likely to appear bluish when swollen. 
This condition is quite common in old people and some are even likely to develop slight ulcers in the vein. 
Homeopathic treatment for varicose veins
Certain homeopathic drugs are said to work wonders for this condition, as they not only offer pain relief, but also make the veins more elastic. This helps with effective circulation and thus, the swelling reduces. The following is a list of some homeopathic medicines that work best to cure varicose veins.
1. Hamamelis
It is known to be the best cure for varicose veins. It effectively stops any sort of bleeding from the veins. It also offers relief from pain and from a sensation of heaviness of the legs. 

2. Pulsatilla
This medicine is greatly recommended for women who develop varicose veins during the course of their pregnancy. It immediately does away with the pain. The medicine especially works well for swollen veins of the legs and the hands. Application of a cold pack also helps relieve the pain and reduce swelling. 

3. Calcarea
It is generally recommended to patients who have varicose veins, but do not suffer from any pain. In case the patient feels chilly and suffers from various other symptoms like some sort of burning sensation in the veins or cold hand and feet, calcarea is a good cure. 

4. Graphites
It is known to be a great cure for varicose veins that is accompanied with some amount of itching and cramping. 

5. Arnica
This homeopathic medicine effectively deals with varicose veins accompanied with symptoms like soreness and bruising.

5 Best Homeopathic Remedies for Varicose Veins Ulcers

Varicose veins are abnormal veins that usually appear as bulging, twisting, rope-like cords in the lower extremity. It is a very common condition, nearly affecting 25% of men and 40% women. Varicose veins occur when the valves in the veins do not properly function. As a result, blood cannot flow effectively.

Risk Factors

A number of factors can put you at risk of developing varicose veins. These may include  

  Heredity
  Gender
  Pregnancy
  Age
  Prolonged standing
  Obesity

Symptoms Associated with Varicose Veins

For many people, varicose veins develop without revealing any symptom. However, others may experience the following signs  

  Visible purple veins
  Heaviness in the calves
  Swelling and tenderness
  Leg tiredness
  Pain
  Blood clots

If the condition deteriorates, you may also encounter symptoms like  

  Ankle sores
  Skin ulcers
  Bleeding

If you have a severe case, your veins may rupture. Therefore, consult a doctor and get the condition treated before it worsens.

Treating Varicose Veins with Radiology

If conservative techniques   compression stockings, lifestyle changes, and others   fail to relive the symptoms or cure the condition, your doctor may recommend radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins.
Radiofrequency ablation involves using heat from an electric current produced by a radio wave to remove the damaged tissues. The procedure takes place in a hospital or a clinic under the supervision of a radiologist.
The specialist will first prep you up for the procedure   the appropriate leg will be prepared using sterile technique and you will be given local anaesthesia. Ablating the veins using laser takes only about a few minutes. Once the procedure is completed, the patient may be kept under observation briefly before being let off. However, he/she might have to wear a special compression stocking, as prescribed by the doctor, to speed up healing.

Varicose veins typically deteriorate over time despite making necessary lifestyle changes for pain management. The minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation procedure is an effective treatment for a condition as painful as varicose veins. It is safer than surgery with minimal risks. Since it is an outpatient procedure, the patient is allowed to walk away the same day.

Varicose Veins - Know All About Them!

What are varicose veins? 
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that typically develop in the legs and the feet. This condition is triggered when there is something wrong with the valves of the veins. When the valves do not function properly, blood flow to all parts of the body is disrupted. Since the legs are the farthest part of the body from the heart, gravity makes it difficult for blood to flow up to the heart. It is a common affliction and affects nearly 25% of the adult population all across the world and 10 million people in India are diagnosed with it every year. The raised veins just under the top layer of the skin appear to be purplish-blue.

Varicose veins are common in people who are -
  Above 50 years of age
  Long stretch sitting
  Pregnant
  Menopausal
  Obese
If someone in your family has a history of varicose veins, you are quite likely to get it too.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Varicose veins are characterized by the following symptoms -
  The most obvious symptom is the large twisty veins
  Pain all down the length of your legs
  Discoloration of the skin of the legs and feet

Diagnosis of varicose veins -
The doctor usually diagnoses varicose veins by a physical examination. An ultrasound may determine if your flow of blood is affected. It is a non-invasive procedure and is done with the help of high-frequency sound waves.
You may even have to undergo a venogram. The doctor injects a colored dye into your veins and X-rays them. The dye gives an indication of how well your blood is flowing through the veins.

Treatment of varicose veins -
There are several treatment options for varicose veins-

Vascular surgery - When the other methods do not work, doctors prescribe vascular surgery.
Ligation and stripping - through this surgery, the surgeon ties up the vein to prevent pooling of blood in the veins and sometimes the vein itself is removed.
Sclerotherapy - the doctor injects a chemical right into the varicose vein which closes it.
Radiofrequency ablation - the doctor uses radiofrequency to heat the varicose vein up, which makes the walls collapse
Varicose veins are a painful condition that can be avoided if you implemented a few changes to how you live your life and even if you do get them, there are ways to cure them.

In Detail About Varicose Vein & Its Treatment!

Blood flows through the tubes called as blood vessels. There are two networks of blood vessels   the arteries and the veins. The arteries carry pure or oxygenated blood from the heart to the various parts of the body. The veins, on the other hand, collect impure blood from all over the body and reach it to the heart. Blood flow in the veins is controlled via valves, which ensure blood does not flow in the reverse direction (against its desired direction of flow). The veins in the legs, which are farther from the heart, are quite thick and exert extra pressure to pump blood into the heart. They need to transport blood against gravity and so in people who are prone to stand for long hours, they can become thicker, swollen, twisted, and engorged. In severe cases, there could even lead to bleeding.

Some common causes for varicose veins are:

Damaged valves which are not able to control the flow of blood in the required direction.
Veins with a thin wall that are unable to control blood flow.
Risk factors: Though these are the suspected causes, there are specific risk factors which aggravate the condition of varicose veins.

Family history
Smoking
Occupations which require prolonged standing (construction jobs, painters, etc.)
Pregnancy
Obesity
Age, which reduces the elasticity of the veins
Surgery in the leg, which could have hampered the values or veins
There are quite a few symptoms of varicose veins. These are quite distinct and present as:

Swollen, ropy leg veins which can be blue
Pain, especially with prolonged standing
Tenderness on touching the veins
Itching and heaviness along the veins
Skin changes like scaling and dryness
Night cramps around the area
Susceptibility to bleed from these veins
While varicose veins are easy to diagnose given their distinct clinical presentation, some additional testing can involve the following:

Doppler ultrasound
Scanning
MRI
As said, prevention is better than cure; here are some preventive measures that can be really helpful:

Elevate legs as much as possible. When working, take short breaks to reduce stagnation and promote blood circulation
Quit smoking
Avoiding alcohol, as it causes venous dilation
Weight management
Avoid tight clothing and sitting with cross-legs for prolonged periods as they put a lot of pressure on the veins and valves
Follow a regular exercise regimen to improve blood flow in the legs, like walking or running
Starting from the least invasive to the most, this condition can be treated by:

Compression stocking (Ted hose or Jobst stocking) which improves circulation and reducing pain
Surgical options include sclerotherapy, laser treatment, and stripping off the vein. These are done in very severe cases, but quite rare.

Varicose Veins - How Best It Can Diagnosed?

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