Varicose Veins Definition, Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Varicose veins are swelling and dilation of veins that usually occur in the legs due to accumulation of blood. People who suffer from this disease, their veins can also be seen protruding out in blue or purple. Sometimes the shape resembles a knot or a twisted cord.

In addition, other symptoms that may accompany varicose veins are swelling of the lower leg (including the ankle), the legs are heavy and uncomfortable, discoloration of the lower leg skin or dry-looking skin, and leg muscle cramps.

Varicose veins can occur in all veins of the body, but this condition most often occurs in the legs (especially the calf) due to the great pressure when we stand or walk.

Cases of varicose veins are mostly experienced by women than men. In addition to female sex, other factors that can increase a person affected by varicose veins are obesity, pregnancy, and old age.

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Varicose Veins Definition, Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Varicose veins symptoms

Most of the symptoms of varicose veins occur in the legs (especially the calves). In some cases, a person may experience varicose veins in the pelvis, anus, vagina, uterus, or throat.

The characteristics of people who experience varicose veins can be seen from the emergence of veins behind the skin that looks swollen or protruding. Sometimes the vessels appear to resemble a blue or purple twisted string. Other symptoms may include painful, throbbing, hot legs, swelling in the lower legs (including ankles), legs are heavy and uncomfortable, the skin in the varicose area is dry and itchy, and leg muscle cramps.

If varicose veins are still relatively mild, patients rarely feel the symptoms. Symptoms of varicose veins will especially be felt when the patient stood too long or live in areas with warm weather. To slightly defuse it, try taking a short walk or rest while sitting or lying down by putting your feet on a cushion as a buffer to keep your feet up.

Varicose veins should not be taken lightly and should be handled properly. If varicose veins have occurred for years, then the disruption of blood flow inside the veins has the potential to cause complications, such as:

1. Thrombophlebitis, which is blood clotting and inflammation of the small veins adjacent to the skin surface. Symptoms are marked by pain inside the affected part of the varicose veins and the skin appears flushed.
2. Deep vein thrombosis. The cause is almost the same as thrombophlebitis, the blood clots in the vessels Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis in the form of swelling and pain in the legs.
3. Open wounds. This condition is caused by a buildup of fluid in the tissues that leads to an increase in blood pressure inside the pen vessels. Gradually, the wound will form on the skin around the area of ​​varicose veins and will be very painful. The part that is usually susceptible to this complication is the ankle.
4. Bleeding. This condition occurs when the veins that have varicose veins break. The bleeding is usually mild.
5. Varicose eczema. This condition is characterized by reddish skin, scaly, until finally peeled off. In some cases, the skin of the blistered patient becomes hardened (crusted) permanently.

Varicose veins causes

Blood vessels in the human body is divided into two, namely the arteries and veins. Arteries in charge of spreading blood flow containing nutrients and oxygen from the heart to all body tissues and veins in charge of returning the blood into the heart with the valves and muscle contraction aid.

Because our anatomy is perpendicular, the furthest part of the heart is the leg. Of course, which has a tough task in this case is the leg veins because they have to fight gravity in draining the blood back to the heart.

But the heavy duty of the leg veins is slightly lightened by the presence of the venous valve. The function of the venous valve resembles a one-way door system. In other words, the blood rising to the heart will pass, but it can not come back because the valve through will be locked.

Varicose veins begin with high pressure on vein walls triggered by various factors. The effect of this high pressure makes the venous wall stretch (loss of elasticity) and the valve inside becomes weak. With the weakening of the valve, the function does not go well and blood flow to the heart becomes disturbed. The blood that flows into the heart becomes reversed and eventually settles at one point in the veins. Continuous blood deposits in these veins make these vessels swell, destroy valves, and varicose occur.

Here are some factors that can trigger damage to the venous valve and increase the risk of exposure to varicose veins, including:

• Stood too long 

This habit can cause blood in the leg veins to be difficult to flow into the heart.

• Age

The older the person's age the delicate elasticity of the vein will decrease. Of course this can also reduce the performance of the valve due to participate weaken. If it's like this, blood will easily fight the current and settle in the veins.

• Pregnancy

Usually varicose veins begin to appear when the uterus begins to enlarge and the volume of blood increases so that it gives more pressure on the veins. In addition to pressure, increased hormone levels during pregnancy can also make the venous muscles become more relaxed and impact on weakening valve protection. Therefore, the formation of varicose veins.

• Hereditary factors

Varicose veins are a disease that can be hereditary. That is, your chances of experiencing this condition will be greater if you have the same diseased family.

• Obesity

The pressure on the leg veins will increase if your body weight is large as well. In addition to complicating the vein in pushing blood to the heart, great pressure can also weaken the valve so that the blood backflow occurs.

• Other health problems

Such as vascular defects, swelling or tumors in the pelvic cavity, and diseases that make blood clot.

 

Varicose veins causes blood clots

Blood deposits in the veins result from weakening or damaging the venous valve. The veins function to drain blood from the whole body to the heart. Inside the veins, there is a valve that serves as a one-way door so that the blood that has passed through it can not come back again. Weakness or destruction of the venous valve causes a backflow of blood and blood buildup in the veins. This buildup then causes the vessels to widen.

Varicose veins diagnosis

The diagnosis of varicose disease is done by first collecting information about the symptoms, medical history, and risk factors in the patient. After that the doctor will perform a physical examination by observing the parts that have varicose veins. Special tests are rarely recommended unless the doctor suspects deep vein problems or other complications. An example of a possible test might be the USG Duplex Doppler.

Varicose veins treatment

Here are some examples of treatments that may be suggested by doctors, including:

• Injection of sclerotherapy 

It's an injection of a special fluid into the veins that have varicose veins with the aim of forming a wound that can close the blood vessel. In addition to the special fluid, there is the latest sclerotherapy technique by injecting a substance that resembles a foam. This method is usually done to treat varicose veins in large veins. In doing the injection, the doctor will be guided by ultrasound. Side effects of sclerotherapy may include lower back pain, headache, reduced vision (temporary), skin discoloration, blood vessels in other body veins, and fainting.

• Radiofrequency

This method aims to close the veins that suffered large swelling due to varicose veins by burning the walls using radiofrequency energy. Once burned, the walls of the veins will collapse and close the channel. Once the veins that have varicose veins are locked, the blood will automatically flow naturally through other healthy veins. In order to fire radiofrequency energy appropriately, doctors need the help of catheters and ultrasound. Radiofrequency side effects can be tingling.

• Laser

Just like radiofrequency, treatment by firing a laser beam also aims to close veins that have varicose veins. This method is also assisted with catheters and ultrasound. Side effects of laser light can be pain and bruising in the varicose veins, or the feet feel hard.

• Open surgery 

This is a procedure of removal of veins that are exposed to varicose veins through incisions made on the skin surface.

Varicose veins prevention

1. Regular exercise will increase leg muscle strength and blood circulation in the veins
2. Keep your weight. Because the fatter the more weight that must be borne by the foot, and this will dilate the veins.
3. Do not use too many high heels. If you have to use it, often rest and gesture every 15 minutes.
4. Avoid standing for too long. If it is forced to stand long, move the load from one foot to the other leg every few minutes. 
5. Stand and move every 45 minutes when you have to sit for long periods, such as when working in an office, or sitting in a vehicle on a long journey.
6. Do gym exercises while sitting, turn your ankle clockwise, then turn in the opposite direction. Next, lift your legs and bend at the knees toward the front and back. Do not sit by crossing the legs too long.
7. Avoid using tight or tight clothes on the waist, thighs, and legs. Get used to take vitamin C and E. In addition to good for blood vessels, is also able to help reduce pain and cramps.
8. Reduce consumption of salt to avoid swelling and spicy foods that can stimulate dilation of blood vessels.
9. Stop smoking, because this one hobby can cause damage to blood vessels.

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