Varicose Veins: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Prevention

What are varicose veins?

The chronic venous insufficiency, also known as varicose veins are swollen veins because of an abnormal collection of blood due to weak, often inherited, walls and valves of the superficial veins. This causes the veins to widen and dilate, so that blood is readily accumulated when a person stands for long.
"When the vein is dilated, it does not fulfill its function. They are responsible for carrying blood back to the heart and that means that the flow has to go against gravity: from the foot to the heart, the veins have valves that prevent the return of the blood flow to the foot and on the way up. However, if the vein is dilated, the valves do not function and the flow is reversed, which causes dilation increased and problems such as edema, swelling of the leg or in later stages, ulcers or phlebitis occur ( a varicose vein thrombosis), among others. This condition is more common in women, it usually occurs in the veins of the legs.

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What causes varicose veins?

The three main causes of varicose veins are.

First, and if it is of primary varicose veins, they are the congenitally defective valves. The valves are responsible for circulating blood to the heart, so if they do not work properly, the blood pools in the vein cause their swelling.

The thrombophlebitis causes the same effect. In this case, thrombi are clots, which hinder the flow. This might happen, for example, after prolonged periods of bed rest.

The third most likely to cause varicose veins is pregnancy. Luckily, varicose veins that appear during the gestation period are high and tend to disappear between two and three weeks after delivery.

Varicose veins symptoms:

Heaviness and fatigue in the legs. Especially when standing still for long time during the day. This occurs because the blood begins to accumulate in the veins of the legs. Symptoms usually improve when walking, with exercise, and leg lifts.

Pain of varying intensity, according to the people: It is usually located in the paths of the affected veins, mainly ankle and calf. You can start or increase with a simple touch, or minor stroke.

Cramps: Primarily nocturnal.

Tingling:  Especially when the legs remain long in one position for example: in film or while traveling by bus or plane.

Warmth, itching and irritation: Mainly in the ankle and dorsum of the foot. Scratching should be avoided, as they can be easily injured, being the weakest skin poor circulation and also for this reason, easily become infected.

Swelling or edema of the feet and ankles: It appears as the disease progresses, the accumulated fluid extravasations. At first it decreases with rest, with your legs, and getting up in the morning, but gradually becomes more persistent and can become permanent. With the advance of the disease can move up along the leg.

Changes in skin color: Brownish or purplish spots that appear due to the output of red blood cells in the affected veins that accumulates under the skin. These accumulations deteriorate skin and fat beneath, causing inflammatory reactions and resulting hardened, painful and eczematous areas.

Varices , dilated or twisted veins: By advancing the deterioration of the veins, they are dilating and stretching, so they have to do curves to fit the available space.
Occurrence of ulcers: They usually appear near the ankles and, most often, on the inside. Often they are quite painful and difficult to heal. Easily become infected, increasing the difficulty of healing. Sometimes they are due to injuries scratching, and others arise spontaneously.

Diagnosis of varices:

The diagnosis of varices is very simple, and in many cases is made by the patient. Screening should be done standing, since this posture favors the appearance of varicose veins.
The following tests are performed for the diagnosis of varices:

Doppler: the most important test for the moment is the Doppler ultrasound technique that combines ultrasound (to see the veins and arteries on their way and see the changes that may exist inside) and the Doppler Effect (in that most of the safety cameras), showing the venous flow and anomalies are based. The test should be done with the patient standing and lying. It is a painless test and does not need preparation.

Venography: previously widely used; It involves injecting an iodinated contrast in the vein and then an x-ray. It is almost written off as painful and present unnecessary risks, and its use is limited to very specific cases.

Other tests: There is mounting evidence that can be performed for diagnosing varicose veins as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) , computed tomography (CT) and angiography isotope. But since the emergence of eco-doppler, these tests are rarely used.

Varicose veins Prevention:

Following tips will help you prevent varicose veins:

Using compression stockings; these garments mechanically help push blood from the capillaries to the heart, preventing stretching or injuries occur. Despite the discomfort they may assume, its use is particularly suitable in the summer months as temperatures above 25 degrees there is a risk of worsening of the disorders associated with venous return.

Avoid exposure to the sun for long hours, lying without moving, and especially during the hours of maximum heat, leading to intense and prolonged vasodilating effect.

Apply cold showers in the legs, causing the jet impact in ascending circles.

Avoid standing for a long time (especially for people with a family history of the same type).

Use gels cooling effect with gentle massage upward or Venotonic lotion.

Lie down and elevate your legs above heart level, after long periods of sitting or standing, and sleeping.

Walk the beach and bathing occasionally as fresh water activates circulation and enhances the feeling of tired legs. In this case, you need to shower after swimming to remove salt as dry skin and apply moisturizer.

Prevent overweight, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

Not wear too tight clothes.

Wear comfortable shoes, as far apart as possible from high heels and flat shoes.

Moisturize daily.

Use sunscreen throughout the year, as it helps to reduce blood extravasation.