Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins. They are ofttimes blueish or night regal and lumpy, jutting, and twisted in advent. They occur on the legs and feet.

Not all varicose veins burl to the surface; sometimes they can be invisible and buried deep in the trunk. Therefore, some people feel pain and discomfort for a long time earlier discovering the cause.

Almost anyone can have varicose veins, and according to the Society for Vascular Surgery, they affect around 35 per centum of people in America.

Varicose veins on backs of legs. Share on Pinterest
Varicose veins may not always cause symptoms, and symptoms may only be nowadays in certain conditions, such as warm weather.

Sometimes, varicose veins cause no symptoms, while other times, they produce a range of symptoms. Mutual symptoms include:

  • agonized and uncomfortable legs
  • swollen feet and ankles
  • called-for or throbbing
  • muscle cramps, peculiarly at night
  • itchy pare over the afflicted area
  • pare discoloration
  • heaviness or fatigue in the legs

Symptoms tend to be worse during warm weather, late in the day, or when a person has been standing up for extended periods.

Pain

Varicose veins are a common cause of leg pain. People ofttimes describe the pain as heaviness or a deep anguish.

There are varying degrees of pain associated with varicose veins, and some people experience severe symptoms.

One condition that tin cause hurting is known as phlebitis, which occurs when varicose veins go inflamed and course blood clots. Signs that a person may have phlebitis include:

  • pain
  • heat
  • hardness
  • discoloration

If a vein bursts, blood tin can pool around the afflicted area and pressure level and toxins may build up. Sometimes an ulcer may develop, or a person's skin may tear every bit a result of a varicose vein, which can be extremely painful.

Lymphedema

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Identifying varicose veins, and taking steps to treat them, may assistance to prevent complications, such every bit lymphedema.

Varicose veins can also cause issues elsewhere in the body — specifically the lymphatic organization.

The lymphatic arrangement is a network of vessels that help transport and remove waste matter products and toxins. It plays a major role in immune system function.

Sometimes, varicose veins can impairment the lymphatic system and lead to a condition called lymphedema, which causes swelling, oft in the feet and toes.

Some people who have lymphedema may also develop cellulitis — a serious pare infection that causes inflammation to the soft tissue of the peel.

Other people may develop venous stasis dermatitis, where the skin becomes leathery and ruddy-brown. Sometimes clear-yellowish fluid weeps through the skin.

Dermatitis

Varicose veins can also lead to dermatitis, which is an itchy, inflamed rash. When caused by varicose veins, the rash will oftentimes announced on the lower leg or ankle.

Dermatitis tin cause bleeding, skin ulcers, or sores that can be painful and get infected if scratched or irritated.

Superficial thrombophlebitis

Varicose veins can also lead to inflammation and the formation of a clot in the vein. Often this jell will exist shut to the surface of the skin in a condition known equally superficial thrombophlebitis.

This can cause pain and pb to other bug in the affected area.

Unfortunately, there is piffling evidence that people can prevent varicose veins from occurring, but they tin make diverse lifestyle changes that may help lessen symptoms and possibly foreclose varicose veins from worsening.

Prevention and symptom relief methods include:

  • fugitive continuing or sitting for extended periods
  • trying to move effectually at least every xxx minutes
  • raising the affected area raised above the level of the heart when sitting, resting, or sleeping
  • doing regular do to improve apportionment
  • losing weight if overweight
  • avoiding tight-fitting dress, particularly those that are tight around the waist, groin, and legs
  • fugitive wearing high-heeled shoes for long periods

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Compression stocking are a not-surgical and economical option for treating varicose veins.

Varicose veins do not always require treatment. Nonetheless, if they are causing pain, in that location are various treatment options bachelor.

If symptoms are minimal to mild, the doc will likely advise the person to try the prevention methods mentioned higher up first to see if they help reduce pain and discomfort.

If they exercise not help, and so a doctor might recommend the post-obit treatment methods:

Pinch stockings

In the kickoff example, a doctor volition likely suggest pinch stockings combined with elevating the legs and exercising regularly. A person may need to wear the stockings for around six months before they experience the full issue.

Compression stockings compress the leg tissue effectually the veins to forbid claret from pooling. They are designed to help reduce associated agonized and swelling.

Ablation

Ablation uses heat to seal the affected veins either past a laser or radiofrequency.

Ablation treatment is oftentimes administered in the doctor's office and takes around 20 minutes. The doctor uses a local coldhearted to numb the affected area, so the procedure is painless. One time the ablation is complete, the doctor will wrap the area in a compression cast.

Sclerotherapy

This procedure involves injecting a cream chosen sclerosant into a varicose vein. The cream causes the vein to spasm, scar, and jell, which will and so close the vein off.

This type of jell is not dangerous and, over time, the varicose vein will disappear.

Surgery

Some people may require surgery, which can include ligation — where the veins are tied to stop the blood pooling — or stripping, where a surgeon removes the vein.

Doctors practice not consider varicose veins to be a serious condition, and people who have them without any discomfort do not need to run across a dr..

Still, if they are causing pain, discomfort, or irritation — particularly at night — and so people should seek medical treatment.

It is worth remembering that considering varicose veins are non always visible, anyone who experiences agonized, swelling, or fatigue should still see their doctor for evaluation.