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Varicose veins – Symptoms and causes

Publisher/Author : Pacific Cross

This post is also available in: Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

What is varicose vein?

Varicose veins are swollen veins emerging near skin surface. Veins carry blood from cells and tissues back to heart, where blood cells could get oxygen.

How common is varicose vein?

Varicose vein is a common disease, with 30% of adults infected. Older people, women, overweight and who have to stand a long time have higher varicose vein risk.

Know the symptoms

What are the symptoms of varicose vein?

Symptoms may include:

  • Leg pain or feel heavy, especially after standing or sitting for long time.
  • Green and bulging veins cause swelling along thigh, ankle or knee.
  • Dry skin and itching. Change color, thinner skin, ulcers and soft tissue infection (cellulitis) may occur near ankle.

There may be some signs or symptoms not listed above. If you have any concerns about a symptom, please consult your doctor.

When should I see my doctor?

For many people, varicose veins are mainly cosmetic problem. But for others, the disease causes symptoms and serious problems. If you worry about your medical condition or treatment at home but it is not effective, you should go to the doctor or to hospital for examination.

Know the causes

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are caused by vein valves becoming weak and unable to prevent blood accumulation. The disease is not contagious or inherited but it is in family history.

Know the risk factors

What increases my risk for varicose veins?

There are many risk factors for this disease such as:

  • Age: The risk of varicose veins increases with your age because blood vessels and blood vessels damper gradually deteriorates.
  • Gender: Women who are undergoing hormonal changes due to pregnancy, treatment with hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills. Women during menstruation or menopause.
  • Family history: your family has people with varicose veins.
  • Obesity: high blood pressure and atherosclerosis caused by being overweight will make you not only varicose veins but it also increases the risk of multiple tag other cardiovascular diseases.
  • Stand or sit a lot in the long time.

If there are no risk factors, it does not mean you cannot get sick. These factors are common and just for reference only. You should consult a specialist doctor for more details.

Understand the diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. ALWAYS consult with your doctor for more information.

How is varicose vein diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose from foot exam results and symptoms have appeared. If diagnosis is not clear, your doctor may request an ultrasound to take pictures of veins and exclude other diseases.

How is varicose vein treated?

Treatment for varicose veins have three main methods:

  • Wear medical stockings for varicose veins.
  • Sclerotherapy: Doctors inject hardening solution into varicose veins. The solution causes the vein collapsed and adjusts blood flow into other veins better.
  • Surgery: Surgery for varicose veins surgery are usually minor (minor surgery).

The blood vessels are removed or pinched to stop the blood supply. There are many ways to perform surgery as laser surgery, ablation therapy and laparoscopy.

Lifestyle changes & home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help me manage varicose veins?

The following lifestyles and home remedies might help you cope with this disease:

  • Exercise (walking) regularly and lose weight.
  • Lift your feet up when sitting and avoid standing in one place too long.
  • Wear medical socks every day.
  • Call your doctor if varicose veins cause pain, skin damage, sores or if you are bleeding from varicose veins.
  • See your doctor if you have varicose veins near places of hot tumors and it is painful to touch. That can be a dangerous thrombosis (phlebitis).

If you have any questions, please consult with your doctor to better understand the best solution for you. Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.


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