Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that usually show up in the legs and feet. They happen when the valves in your veins get weak or damaged, causing blood to pool in the veins. Though some people may think varicose veins are just a cosmetic issue, they can also cause pain and lead to more serious problems. Here, we will discuss what causes varicose veins and how they can be treated easily.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins occur when the valves inside your veins, which help control blood flow, don’t work properly. These valves are supposed to keep blood moving toward your heart. When they fail, blood collects in the veins, making them larger and twisted.
Main Causes Include:
- Weak Vein Valves: The most common cause of varicose veins is weak or damaged valves in the veins, which stop blood from flowing the right way.
- Standing or Sitting for Long Periods: Jobs that require standing or sitting for long hours, like teachers or office workers, can cause varicose veins.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy increases blood flow and puts pressure on veins, which can lead to varicose veins.
- Obesity: Being overweight puts extra pressure on your veins, making it harder for blood to flow properly.
- Age: As we age, our veins can lose strength, causing varicose veins to form.
- Family History: If others in your family have had varicose veins, you are more likely to develop them.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are usually visible under the skin, but they can also cause discomfort. Knowing the symptoms early on can help you manage them before they get worse.
Symptoms Include:
- Aching and Heavy Legs: Your legs may feel tired, achy, or heavy, especially after standing or sitting for a long time.
- Swelling in the Legs and Ankles: The lower parts of your legs and ankles may swell due to poor blood flow.
- Skin Discoloration: You may notice dark or discoloured skin near the veins, especially around the ankles.
- Itching or Burning: The skin around the swollen veins may feel itchy or burning.
- Spider Veins: Smaller veins, which look like a spider’s web, may also appear around the varicose veins.
- Severe Cases: In extreme cases, varicose veins can cause ulcers, bleeding, or blood clots.
How to Remove Varicose Veins
Varicose veins can be treated in several ways, depending on how serious they are. These treatments range from simple home remedies to advanced medical treatments.
1. Lifestyle Changes
For mild cases, making some simple changes to your lifestyle can help improve or prevent varicose veins.
- Exercise: Walking, swimming, or biking can improve blood flow and reduce pressure on your veins.
- Elevate Your Legs: When sitting or lying down, raise your legs to help blood flow back to your heart.
- Avoid Long Sitting or Standing: If your job requires long hours of sitting or standing, try to move around every 30 minutes.
- Compression Stockings: These special stockings apply gentle pressure to your legs, helping blood move properly and reducing pain and swelling.
2. Varicose Veins Treatment Without Surgery
You don’t always require surgery to deal with varicose veins. Here are some non-surgical treatments that may help:
- Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected into the vein, which causes it to close and finally disappear.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This uses heat from radio waves to close off the vein and reroute blood through healthier veins.
- Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT): This laser treatment for varicose veins uses laser energy to close off the affected vein from the inside.
These non-surgical treatments are good for those looking for varicose veins treatment without surgery, and they come with less recovery time.
3. Varicose Veins Laser Treatment
Laser treatments are popular and highly effective for varicose veins. They are minimally invasive and have a great success rate.
- Simple Laser Treatment: This treatment uses a laser on the outside of the skin to treat smaller veins, like spider veins.
- Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT): For larger varicose veins, a laser fibre is placed inside the vein. The laser heats and closes the vein, which eventually fades away. This type of varicose veins laser treatment is a great option with little discomfort.
Remedies for Varicose Veins - You Can Try At Home
Besides medical treatments, some home remedies can help with symptoms of varicose veins.
- Exercise Regularly: Moving your legs will improve blood flow and reduce pain.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: Eating more fibre and reducing salt can help prevent swelling in your legs.
- Wear Compression Stockings: Wearing these can improve circulation and ease swelling and discomfort.
Diagnosis & Treatment Options in North India
In North India, it’s important to visit the right specialist to treat varicose veins. Doctors like vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, and phlebologists are experts in diagnosing varicose veins. They use tests like colour Doppler ultrasound to find damaged veins and suggest the right treatments.
Possible Treatments:
- Leg Elevation and Compression Stockings: These can help with blood flow and reduce swelling.
- Sclerotherapy or Foam Therapy: Good for treating small veins or spider veins.
- Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA): A safe and proven option for larger varicose veins.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if your varicose veins cause pain, swelling, or other serious problems. Getting treatment early can prevent further complications and help you feel better faster.
Summary
Varicose veins are common, especially in people who stand or sit for long hours, and those who are pregnant or overweight. While they may seem like just a cosmetic issue, they can cause discomfort if left untreated. Luckily, there are many ways to treat them, from varicose veins laser treatment to varicose veins treatment without surgery.
If you notice symptoms of varicose veins, don’t wait. Whether you make lifestyle changes or opt for medical treatments, you can manage your symptoms and prevent more serious problems.