How does varicose veins form

The vascular system, which circulates oxygenated blood through the body, can be affected by age and unhealthy habits as much as any other bodily system. Read on to learn more. Varicose veins are often viewed as a sign of aging, but they can affect young people, too. Without arteries that are in good condition, your overall health is vulnerable to a list of difficult conditions. Occasional, mild cramps after exercising might happen to some, but consistent pain could indicate a more serious condition.

Read on to understand the symptoms of claudication, and if you may be living with the condition. Here are some factors that increase your risk for spider veins and what you can do about them. Endovascular laser and radiofrequency ablation therapies are products of advanced medical technology. Learn the difference between these highly effective, minimally invasive alternatives to traditional vein treatments.

Why do varicose veins form? However, with severe varicose veins, there is a small chance of developing blood clots in the deep veins. Blood clots need medical care right away. Symptoms of blood clots include pain, swelling, and redness of the leg. Blood clots may also happen in the arms or other parts of the body. If you have symptoms that may mean a blood clot, call your healthcare provider.

A piece of a blood clot may break off and travel to the lungs pulmonary embolism. A blood clot in the lungs is very serious and may cause death. Symptoms include chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing may cough up blood , a fast heartbeat, sweating, and fainting. If you have symptoms that may mean a blood clot in the lungs, call or get emergency help. The following are the most common symptoms of varicose veins.

However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:. Severe varicose veins may eventually produce long-term mild swelling that can result in more serious skin and tissue problems. These include ulcers and nonhealing sores.

The symptoms of varicose veins may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, diagnostic procedures for varicose veins may include:.

Duplex ultrasound. A type of vascular ultrasound done to check blood flow and the structure of the leg veins. Duplex means two types of ultrasound are used. Medical treatment may not be necessary if there are no symptoms. However, varicose veins may sometimes worsen without treatment. Elevation of the legs. You may be instructed to elevate your feet above the level of your heart 3 or 4 times a day for about 15 minutes at a time.

If you need to sit or stand for a long period of time, flexing bending your legs occasionally can help keep blood circulating.

If you have mild to moderate varicose veins, elevating your legs can help reduce leg swelling and relieve other symptoms. The veins rarely need treatment for health reasons, but if swelling, aching, and painful legs result, and if there is considerable discomfort, treatment is available.

In severe cases, a varicose vein may rupture, or develop into varicose ulcers on the skin. These will require treatment. If the patient has no symptoms or discomfort and is not bothered by the sight of the varicose veins, treatment might not be necessary. However, if there are symptoms, treatment may be required to reduce pain or discomfort, address complications, such as leg ulcers, skin discoloration, or swelling.

If varicose veins are large, they may need to be removed surgically. This is usually done under general anesthetic. In most cases, the patient can go home the same day — if surgery is required on both legs, they may need to spend one night in hospital. Laser treatments are often used to close off smaller veins, and also spider veins. Strong bursts of light are applied to the vein, which gradually fades and disappears.

The top of the vein is tied up and sealed. A thin, flexible wire is threaded through the bottom of the vein and then pulled out, taking the vein with it. This procedure does not usually require a hospital stay. Ligation and stripping can sometimes result in bruising, bleeding, and pain. In extremely rare occasions, there may be deep vein thrombosis. After surgery, most patients will need weeks to recover before going back to work and other normal duties. During recovery time, compression stockings are worn.

A chemical is injected into small and medium-sized varicose veins, which scars and closes them. A few weeks later, they should fade. A vein may need to be injected more than once. A small incision is made either above or below the knee, and with the help of an ultrasound scan; a narrow tube catheter is threaded into the vein.

The doctor inserts a probe into the catheter, which emits radiofrequency energy. The radiofrequency energy heats up the vein, causing its walls to collapse, effectively closing it and sealing it shut. This procedure is preferred for larger varicose veins. Radiofrequency ablation is usually done with a local anesthetic. A small laser is threaded through the catheter and positioned at the top of the target vein; it delivers short energy bursts that heat up the vein, sealing it shut.

With the aid of an ultrasound scan, the doctor threads the laser all the way up the vein, gradually burning and sealing all of it. This procedure is done under local anesthetic. There may be some nerve injury, which is usually brief. An endoscopic transilluminator special light is threaded through an incision under the skin so that the doctor can see which veins need to be taken out. The target veins are cut and removed with a suction device through the incision.

A general or local anesthetic may be used for this procedure. There may be some bleeding and bruising after the operation. In the majority of cases, there is no pain, but signs and symptoms of varicose veins may include:.