Find Out What Varicose Veins Are And How They Are Treated

What are varicose veins? Also called varicose veins, they are blood vessels with an irregular shape that dilates. Varicose veins can be green, blue or purple. They are sometimes surrounded by small red capillaries, known as spider veins.

Both varicose veins and spider veins can form anywhere on the body. But these imperfections most often occur on the legs or in the pelvic region.

So what are varicose veins and how can we treat and prevent them? In the following we offer you answers to all these questions.

Varicose vein symptoms

• Inflammation
• Visible veins blue, purple or greenish

• Leg cramps
• Pain behind the knee
• Itching around the veins
• Fatigue
• ulceration
• A brown ten

What are varicose veins and why do they appear?

Varicose veins form when healthy veins become inflamed, inhibiting normal blood flow.

Usually, the blood flows through the veins to the heart. Experts do not yet know why varicose veins appear, but there are certain factors that increase the risk of developing them:

• Genetic inheritance
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Hormonal changes
• Standing for a long time
• Excessively tight clothes

Diagnostic

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, it is best to have a medical check-up.

After the examination, your doctor will perform an ultrasound to check how your blood is circulating. Ultrasound allows visualization of superficial and deep veins.

The good news is that as long as it does not affect the patient’s daily life, varicose veins do not necessarily require medical treatment.

Worry if:

• Varicose veins prevent you from walking or standing for long periods of time
• You develop ulcers
• Your legs and ankles become inflamed

Ulcers can be problematic because they could be based on stasis, ie the stage in which the veins become inflamed and do not allow adequate drainage. As a result, the skin does not receive enough oxygen and lesions appear.

Other possible complications of varicose veins are phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) and thrombosis (formation of blood clots in the veins).

Treatments for varicose veins

One of the most common treatments for varicose veins is non-surgical and is called sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy consists of injecting a saline solution, which causes the targeted vein to collapse. If the blood gets stuck in a vein, it no longer works properly. Sclerotherapy makes the retained blood “disappear”.

But what about this? The nearest vein takes it to carry it to the heart. Thus, blood circulation returns to normal.

But sclerotherapy requires several sessions to give yield. On average, three injections are needed for each varicose vein.

How does sclerotherapy work?

Up to 40 veins can be treated in a single session. Then, the patient needs 4-6 weeks of rest for the veins to heal. During the recovery period, he should wear support socks.

Other veins can be treated during the rest period, but not those previously injected.

What sensations does it produce?

Of course, sclerotherapy is initially uncomfortable, the sensation being similar to small needle bites. Some patients experience side effects such as:

• Minor inflammations
• bruising
• Itches
• Redness
• Pain

Moderate exercise is recommended to speed healing. The good news is that the treated veins will disappear in about 6 months, and their recurrence is rare.

However, we must mention that sclerotherapy cannot prevent the appearance of new varicose veins. It only eliminates those already present.

Are there alternative treatments?

The list of alternative treatments for varicose veins can include:

• Applying an intense and pulsating light:  The patient must undergo a number of 1-6 sessions.
• Laser treatments:  They can remove small blood vessels from the face and legs.
• Vein ligation:  A surgical procedure that involves making an incision in the skin to remove or bind the affected veins.
• Radiofrequency ablation: Radiofrequency energy is applied through a catheter to close the vein.

How can we avoid varicose veins?

Now that you know what varicose veins are, it is advisable to remember and what you can do to prevent them.

• He doesn’t spend much time in the sun.
• Keep your legs up for a few minutes before bed.

• If you have to stand for long periods of time, take a break once every two hours to lie down.
• He is wearing compression stockings.
• Follow a balanced diet.
• Do not drink alcohol or smoke.
• Be careful when dealing with sudden changes in temperature.
• Exercise for half an hour, at least three times a week.
• Avoid nylon socks and corsets.
• Do not sit down with your legs crossed.