Varicose veins in pictures in pictures from symptoms to treatment

Varicose veins are a common condition that affects many adults.

According to

statistics, this disease develops more often in women than in men. These veins appear on the legs and become more common with age.

The following article mentions important facts about varicose veins, with relevant photos of what they look like, how they look and how we should treat them.

Varicose veins in the legs

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged veins that most often develop in the legs. Usually blue, purple or skin color.

appears to be enlarged, twisted, and bulging blood vessels that can protrude from the surface of the skin.

What are spider veins?

Spider veins (also called telangiectasias or spider veins, blood vessels) are a collection of small blood vessels that develop near the surface of the skin.

They are often red, blue or purple and have a grid-like appearance. The most common face and legs are found in spider veins.

What causes the development of varicose veins?

Varicose veins are caused by structural abnormalities in the blood vessels.

Veins carry blood from different parts of the body to the heart. They have a number of one-way valves to prevent blood clots.

For a variety of reasons, these valves can be damaged, causing blood to flow into the arteries. Further blood stagnation increases the pressure in the vein and weakens the blood vessel wall.

Then, due to blood stagnation and dilation of the affected blood vessels, arachnoid and varicose veins develop.

Prolonged standing is a risk factor for the development of varicose veins

Reasons for development?

There are many different risk factors that increase a person's chances of developing varicose veins.

This includes:

  • old age,
  • long standing or sitting,
  • obesity,
  • Pregnancy,
  • Hormone therapy,
  • taking birth control pills,
  • Injuries,
  • Anterior vein surgery,
  • History of venous thrombosis,
  • Family history.

Symptoms of varicose veins

Varicose veins often show no symptoms or signs other than an undesirable cosmetic appearance. However, some people may have certain symptoms from varicose veins.

Symptoms may include:

  • swelling,
  • Dead feeling
  • excruciating pain,
  • burning sensation,
  • itching,
  • severity,
  • Moans or cramps in the legs.

These symptoms often worsen after prolonged sitting or standing. Individuals may also develop brown skin color and eventually trophic ulcers.

Complications of varicose veins

If varicose veins are not treated, this can lead to the following:

  • Trophic ulcers of the skin develop. These open wounds usually appear in the lower leg. Sometimes they can lead to the development of soft tissue infection.
  • develops thrombi inside the veins (superficial thrombophlebitis).
  • Possible bleeding from the veins.
The doctor examines the legs with varicose veins

Diagnosis of vascular network and varicose veins of the legs

To diagnose the presence of varicose veins in the legs, you can carefully examine the affected area, which is usually the feet.

Examination consists of visual examination and palpation of the problem area. Particular attention is paid to areas of redness, swelling, skin discoloration, and trophic ulcers.

Home treatment

There are various methods you can use at home to alleviate some of your symptoms if they appear. These conservative methods can also help you avoid any potential complications.

Compression socks

Compression stockings are a simple home remedy that helps relieve foot symptoms.

They improve blood circulation by increasing the pressure in the legs. These socks come in different types and compression strengths. Your doctor may recommend a suitable pair. Usually sold in pharmacies.

Practice on the treadmill

Lifestyle change

Regular exercise and weight loss program can help alleviate the symptoms of peanuts and varicose veins.

Affected people should avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time and raising their legs while sitting or sleeping to improve blood circulation and reduce leg swelling.

Sclerotherapy

Sometimes conservative treatment of varicose veins at home may not give the desired results. In these cases, more specialized medical procedures may be performed, depending on the location and size of the abnormal veins.

These medical procedures are often performed for cosmetic reasons.

Sclerotherapy is a common technique that a physician can perform; It is very effective in eliminating most of the spider veins and varicose veins.

During this procedure, which does not require anesthesia, the doctor injects a liquid solution directly into the affected vein, causing it to coalesce and eventually disappear. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve optimal results. Potential side effects include bruising, swelling, bleeding, infection, and discoloration of the skin.

Before and after sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy: before and after

Sclerotherapy treatment may require multiple sessions and the healing time may vary from person to person.

Generally, spider veins disappear within 3-6 weeks of treatment, and varicose veins may take several months to heal.

Laser treatment of varicose veins

Laser therapy is another alternative medical procedure that a doctor can perform. It is sometimes used in addition to sclerotherapy to maximize results. This technique is most effective for spider veins and small varicose veins.

For patients who are afraid of needles, laser therapy is an alternative treatment, although your doctor may recommend which treatment is best for your particular situation.

Laser therapy uses a focused beam of light that ignites the affected blood vessel, which eventually disappears.

Potential side effects include slight redness or swelling around the treated area, discoloration of the skin, blisters, and rarely scars.

Before and after the laser therapy procedure

Laser therapy is a recently developed treatment for varicose veins in which the affected area is treated with light pulses of different ranges.

Laser therapy: before and after the procedure

As with sclerotherapy, multiple laser sessions are needed to achieve optimal results. Improvement may take treatment from a few weeks to several months.

Venous surgery

Surgery is a treatment option for more severe cases of varicose veins. Your doctor will review a variety of possible surgical procedures to help you determine which treatment for varicose veins is best for you. One surgical method is to bandage the veins and remove small wounds on the skin.

Before and after venous surgery

Venous surgery: Before and after treatment

Ligation and removal of veins often successfully relieves varicose vein symptoms and cosmetic problems. This surgery is performed under local, spinal or general anesthesia in a hospital.

Complete recovery from this operation usually takes about 2-4 weeks. Potential complications may include infection, bleeding, scarring, nerve damage, deep vein thrombosis, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.

Intravenous laser therapy

Intravenous laser therapy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves laser irradiation with a thin bandage inserted into the affected vein, resulting in its narrowing.

Intravenous laser therapy has a 98% initial success rate. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia or light sedation.

Patients report less pain and faster recovery with intravenous laser therapy than ligation and vein removal surgery.

Radiofrequency ablation

Intravenous radiofrequency ablation is an invasive procedure similar to invasive laser therapy.

Instead of using laser light, a catheter inserted into a vein uses radiofrequency energy that heats and narrows the affected vessel.

As with intravenous laser therapy, patients experience less pain and faster recovery than through surgery, ligation, and removal of veins.

Physical exercise - prevention of the development of varicose veins

Prevention of varicose veins

Although varicose veins are not always preventative, there are many methods you can use to reduce their chances of developing them.

Prevention tips include:

  • regular exercise;
  • Maintain a healthy weight;
  • Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time;
  • Avoid shaking your legs while sitting;
  • Raise your legs while relaxing;
  • Do not wear clothing that wraps around your waist, hips and legs.

Dear friends. This article is not a medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for consulting a doctor.