As you become older, it’s not unusual to note massive, twisty veins forming in your legs. In accordance with the Society for Vascular Surgical procedure, as many as 40 million Individuals have what are generally known as varicose veins.
However what causes varicose veins, and is there any solution to stop them? We requested vascular specialists to interrupt it down.
To begin with, what precisely are varicose veins?
“Varicose veins are the bigger, bulging, twisted veins that you often see running down someone’s legs,” mentioned Dr. Justin Ha, a doctor and vein specialist with Metro Vein Facilities.
A standard fable about varicose veins is that they’re purely a beauty challenge. Though some folks might solely expertise aesthetic adjustments, that’s not all the time the case.
“They can be painful and come with symptoms like swelling, heaviness and even throbbing,” Ha mentioned. “Left untreated, they can lead to serious complications like blood clots or ulcers. They’re a medical condition that might need clinical intervention and are oftentimes not just a cosmetic concern.”
He emphasised that varicose veins aren’t all the time even seen on the pores and skin’s floor.
“You might have underlying vein damage if you’re experiencing symptoms like heaviness, swelling, aching, or restless legs,” Ha defined. “So if your legs feel off, don’t ignore it.”
Many individuals additionally confuse varicose veins and spider veins, however they’re really completely different.
“Spider veins are much smaller,” Ha defined. “They’re those thin, web-like veins you often see on the surface of the skin. They’re usually more of a cosmetic issue, but they can sometimes be a sign of early vein disease. If they’re accompanied by leg discomfort, it’s typically the canary in the coal mine, and you should visit a vascular doctor.”
What causes varicose veins?
“The cause of varicose veins is related to the valves in the veins not working properly and allowing increased venous pressure in the veins,” mentioned Dr. Tikva Jacobs, a vascular and endovascular surgeon at Weill Cornell Drugs and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “Veins are thin walled, unlike arteries, and the extra pressure causes the veins to expand and become enlarged.”
She defined that arteries carry blood from the guts to the legs, however veins should work in opposition to gravity to carry the blood again as much as the guts. The valves in your veins stop the blood from going again right down to your ft, however over time, sure components can result in “leaky” valves or insufficiency ― thus permitting some blood to circulation again right down to the ft and growing blood quantity.
“When those valves weaken or get damaged, blood can start flowing backward and pooling in the veins of the legs,” Ha mentioned. “This pooling can cause increased pressure in the veins, which cause them to stretch, twist, and bulge, which is what you see when someone has varicose veins.”
However what are the components that trigger that sort of weakening or injury to your circulation over time?
“The number one cause of varicose veins is heredity,” Jacobs mentioned. “If a parent or grandparent has had varicose veins, you are at an increased risk of developing varicose veins.”
Girls are additionally extra prone to develop them because of the hormonal adjustments brought on by menstruation, contraception, being pregnant and menopause.
“Other things such as age and working in occupations with prolonged sitting or standing increase the risk of developing varicose veins,” mentioned Valerie Faryman, a nurse practitioner within the Division of Vascular Illnesses and Surgical procedure at The Ohio State College Wexner Medical Middle. “Excess body weight, or obesity, causes there to be extra pressure on the veins, increasing the chances of developing varicose veins.”
Age performs a job as veins naturally lose elasticity over time, making them extra prone to break. However folks can develop varicose veins at any age.
“Things like frequent air travel, smoking, and a history of injuries to the leg can all put extra stress on the veins,” Ha added.
Dr. Sheila Blumberg, a vascular surgeon at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, famous that many individuals assume varicose veins are brought on by blood clots, which will be harmful.
“They are not caused by blood clots but can be seen in people who have a history of blood clots in their legs,” she defined. “I reassure people that varicose vein disease is not a limb-threatening or life-threatening disease.”
There’s additionally a standard fable that crossing your legs whenever you sit could cause varicose veins.
“Crossing your legs doesn’t cause varicose veins, but it can cause symptoms to be worse if you already have them,” Faryman famous.
Is there something you are able to do to stop varicose veins?
“You can’t change your genetics or stop aging, but there are definitely ways to keep your veins healthy,” Ha mentioned. “It’s all about managing your circulation.”
One of many greatest issues you are able to do to gradual the event of varicose veins is to keep up an lively, wholesome life-style.
“Walking, swimming and yoga are great for your veins because they keep the blood moving,” he defined. “If you sit or stand for long periods, take breaks to stretch or move around. Elevating your legs when you’re relaxing can also help reduce pressure on your veins.”
Different useful approaches embrace quitting smoking and sustaining a wholesome weight.
“Compression stockings are a fantastic option, especially for people who are on their feet all day, because they help improve blood flow and reduce swelling,” Ha mentioned, including. “Spider veins are trickier to prevent, but the same tips apply ― good circulation is key!”
How do you deal with them?
Taking all of the preventative measures can definitely assist delay or cut back the event of varicose veins, however some nonetheless might kind over time. The excellent news is there are a lot of remedy choices.
“Treatments for varicose veins vary depending on the size and location and if there are veins under the surface of the skin that we cannot see with our naked eye that are causing some of the veins,” Jacobs defined.
She famous that sufferers are evaluated with a bodily examination and an ultrasound, permitting medical doctors to have a look at each deep and superficial veins and see that are working effectively and which may be inflicting the varicose veins. Then, the medical professionals develop a remedy plan, which may embrace a mix of procedures or only one.
“Today’s treatments for varicose veins are much easier and more effective than people realize,” Ha mentioned. “They’re minimally invasive, outpatient procedures that help close off damaged veins and get your blood flowing through healthier ones.”
Spider veins are sometimes handled with sclerotherapy, during which the broken vein is injected with an answer that collapses the vein and redirects the blood to raised functioning ones.
“Phlebectomy is a procedure that uses a micro-incision to remove surface varicose veins,” Blumberg famous.
Floor laser remedy is one other solution to collapse these small, superficial veins.
“Larger veins may need to be removed under local anesthesia, but sometimes the veins that are causing the varicose veins ― referred to as the axial vein ― need to be treated with an ablation where a heat source is put inside the veins and destroys the vein from the inside out,” Jacobs mentioned.
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Along with radiofrequency ablation and laser remedy, Ha famous that different widespread remedies at his observe embrace injections of VenaSeal, which may seal veins off, and Varithena, a foam-based possibility that may additionally trigger the vein to shut.
Insurance coverage usually solely covers varicose vein remedies deemed medically needed as a result of painful signs. However that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t discover your choices in the event you’re bothered by what you’re seeing in your legs.
“It’s a myth that you should only treat your veins if you are having a lot of pain,” Jacobs mentioned. “If you don’t like the way your veins look, that is a perfectly valid reason to be evaluated and see what cosmetic options are available.”
