Varicose veins are gnarled, enlarged veins. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, painful veins that have filled with an abnormal collection of blood.   Large varicose veins can cause aching and feelings of fatigue as well as skin changes like rashes, redness, and sores. As many as 40 million Americans, most of them women, have varicose veins. Varicose veins, in the legs, affect about 30% of adults at some point in their life. They tend to be more common in older women. Varicose veins usually develop gradually, and may run in families. Although varicose veins can appear unsightly, and are sometimes painful, they do not usually cause any serious health problems.  Causes include congenitally defective valves, thrombophlebitis, and pregnancy. Prolonged standing and increased pressure within the abdomen may increase susceptibility to the development of varicose veins or aggravate the condition. Varicose veins may sometimes be an important pathway for venous return, as when they provide a bypass pathway for venous return in patients with acute blockage of the deep venous system from any cause.

Varicose veins are a common condition in the United States, affecting up to 15 percent of men and up to 25 percent of women. Varicose veins affect 1 out of 2 people over age 50. They are more common in women than men. Hemorrhoids are a type of varicose vein. Spider veins are like varicose veins, but they are smaller. Primary varicose veins occur because of congenitally defective valves, or without a known cause. Secondary varicose veins occur because of another condition, such as occurs when a pregnant woman develops varicose veins. Pregnant women have an increased risk of developing varicose veins, but the veins often return to normal within 1 year after childbirth. Women who have multiple pregnancies may develop permanent varicose veins. Varicose veins of pregnancy most often are caused by hormonal changes that render vein walls and the valves themselves more pliable.  Symptoms that are commonly associated with varicose veins including is aching, throbbing.

The presence and size of visible varicosities are not reliable indicators of the volume or pressure of venous reflux. Support stockings and bandages to support the veins and muscles in the legs to prevent blood pooling and also hide the veins. Laser surgery works by sending strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. Sclerotherapy is used for telangiectasias (spider veins) and varicose veins that persist or recur after vein stripping. Avoid prolonged standing if personal or family history indicates you are at risk of developing varicose veins.  Surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia, a spinal anaesthetic is an alternative. For treatment of the greater saphenous vein and the saphenofemoral junction, ultrasonography is used to confirm and map all areas of reflux and to trace the path of the refluxing greater saphenous trunk from the saphenofemoral junction down the leg to the upper calf.

Varicose Veins Treatment Tips

1. Laser surgery works by sending strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear.

2. Local anesthesia is used in this outpatient procedure. 

3. Support stockings and bandages to support the veins and muscles in the legs to prevent blood pooling and also hide the veins.

4. Laser surgery works by sending strong bursts of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear.

5. Sclerotherapy is used for telangiectasias (spider veins) and varicose veins that persist or recur after vein stripping.

6. Avoid prolonged standing if personal or family history indicates you are at risk of developing varicose veins.