varicose veins

What are varicose veins?

The large human blood vessels can be divided into arteries and veins . Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the organs and muscles. In them, the blood is pumped through the body at high pressure by the muscle power of the heart. Veins carry the oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. In veins, the blood flows very slowly and at low pressure, since the surrounding muscles act as a kind of muscle pump and this is the only way the blood can be transported. In the legs, the blood must also be brought back up to the center of the body against gravity. To make this possible, veins have so-called vein valves at regular intervals. Venous valves close after blood has been pumped through them, preventing blood from flowing back down along gravity once the surrounding muscles relax.

There are two major venous flow areas on the legs – the deep and the superficial leg veins. Varicose veins (varices) are dilated, superficial veins . They often run in a snake-like pattern or form small balls and shine bluish through the skin. Varicose veins are also known as varicose veins or varicose veins . Varicose veins are most commonly found on the legs, although they can develop on any part of the body.

How do varicose veins develop?

Varicose veins can already occur in childhood, but usually do not become apparent until the third decade of life. Depending on the trigger, varicose veins can be divided into primary varicose veins and secondary varicose veins.

1. Primary varicose veins Primary varicose
veins make up 95% of the majority of varicose veins. The complaints cannot be traced back to an identifiable cause.

2. Secondary varicose veins
A secondary varicose veins occurs when an identifiable cause has caused the varicose veins. Possible triggers include, for example, blockages in the veins due to blood clots or damage to the venous valves.

The exact cause of primary varicose veins has not yet been adequately researched. It is currently assumed that an interaction of various factors leads to the development of the clinical picture:

• Hereditary predisposition
• Venous insufficiency: Excessive weakness in the vessel walls can make it difficult for blood to flow backwards. The causes are congenital or age-related changes in the vessel wall.
• Insufficient venous valves: Due to a bulging of the vein wall, the venous valves can no longer close properly.
• Increased vascular pressure
• hormonal influence

Various risk factors can promote the development of varicose veins.

• Varicose veins run in the family: Since venous insufficiency is usually congenital, the risk of developing varicose veins is increased if your parents or grandparents already have varicose veins.
• Advanced age: Varicose veins appear more frequently in advanced age.
• Lack of exercise: Exercise stimulates the calf muscles and thus promotes the return of blood to the heart.
• Pregnancy: Varicose veins are common during pregnancy. The hormonal change leads to the relaxation of the veins and their stretching. In addition, the baby in the womb increases the pressure on the vascular system, which puts additional strain on the venous system and can impede the return flow of blood.
• Obesity: Just like a child in the womb, obesity puts pressure on the vascular system .
• Female gender: Women suffer from varicose veins more often than men.
• Standing for long periods of time without moving puts strain on the veins in the legs and, in combination with other risk factors, can lead to the development of varicose veins.

Symptoms of varicose veins

In most cases, varicose veins are a purely cosmetic problem and otherwise cause little discomfort. They can occur on one or both sides. Varicose veins shine through the skin in blue and can lead to changes in the skin due to beating and lump formation. If the varicose veins continue to progress, however, they can lead to symptoms:

• feeling of heaviness
• Pains
• Fatigue in the affected leg
• feeling of tension
• Evening ankle swelling

The symptoms usually increase during the day or after standing for a long time and disappear when you sit down and elevate your legs . In contrast to arterial diseases, however, the symptoms do not increase after longer walking distances. Varicose veins can sometimes also cause nocturnal foot and calf cramps.

If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to complications in advanced stages. These include:
– Thrombosis
Disrupted blood transport can lead to the formation of blood clots. People with varicose veins have an increased risk of thrombosis of the leg veins. The blood clot can detach from the veins in the legs, be transported through the vessels and block small vessels in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) .
– Chronic swelling
In the earlier stages of varicose veins, the swelling of the legs increases in the evening. However, over a long period of time it can also lead to a continuous swelling.
– Skin changes
As the disease progresses, the skin on the legs may turn brown and the legs may start to itch or burn. The skin feels thin, shiny and can harden.

• Ulcer (Ulcus cruris venosum)
  Varicose veins can lead to an “open” leg. In some cases, the wound may be difficult to heal.
  – Inflammation of the superficial veins

Different types of varicose veins

Depending on the vein affected, varicose veins can appear in different places and have different markings. Spider veins are the smallest varicose veins. They often appear as spider webs on the back of the thighs and do not cause any discomfort.

Reticular varicose veins are also network-like extensions of the veins, but at 2 – 4 mm they have a larger diameter than spider veins and are more frequently found in the hollows of the knees and on the outside of the thighs and lower legs. They are also of more cosmetic relevance. Other varicose veins, such as the truncal varices, have a larger diameter and can cause the typical symptoms of varicose veins.

Varicose veins can occur in the pelvic area during pregnancy .

Diagnosis of varicose veins

The basis for the diagnosis of varicose veins is the patient consultation and a clinical examination of the affected areas. Based on the findings, further diagnostics are planned. Possible further diagnostic methods include vein function tests and ultrasound examinations. The goal of diagnostics for varicose veins includes:

• Detection and classification of the circulatory disorder
• Define medical relevance
• Distinguish primary and secondary varicose veins
• Assess involvement of the deep venous system
• Quality control after an intervention
• Analysis of possible recurrences

When should I see a doctor for varicose veins?

If your varicose veins are painful, your legs are excessively swollen, you feel tired in your legs, or you have any other symptoms of varicose veins, you should consult a doctor to discuss possible treatment options. You should also seek medical advice if you have varicose veins during pregnancy, bleeding varicose veins, or injuries to the skin on the affected legs.

What you can do yourself with varicose veins

Varicose veins do not require immediate surgery. Unfortunately, you can’t reverse varicose veins, but there are many ways to relieve the discomfort caused by varicose veins:

• Elevation of the legs facilitates the return flow of blood.
• Sufficient physical exercise activates the muscle pump and thus promotes the backflow of blood from the legs.
• A cool shower on the legs can alleviate the discomfort by shrinking the veins (heat can increase the discomfort).
• Wearing compression stockings , which do not have to be prescribed, support the muscle pump and promote the return transport of venous blood.

For everyday life, you can remember that sitting and standing can increase the symptoms and promote the development of varicose veins, while walking and lying down can reduce the symptoms .

Unfortunately, varicose veins are genetic in many cases. However, you can prevent varicose veins as much as possible by leading a healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise. If you know that varicose veins tend to run in your family, you should avoid being overweight and standing for long periods of time, for example.

Therapy of varicose veins

The goals of treating varicose veins are:

• Normalization or improvement of blood reflux
• Improvement of congestion symptoms (heaviness, feelings of tension, pain, swelling)
• Healing of ulcers and other skin disorders
• Prevention of further complications such as deep vein thrombosis or bleeding from varicose veins

Varicose veins can be treated conservatively or surgically, depending on how severe the varicose veins are, where they are, what your medical condition is, and what options you are considering. Conservative methods include:

• Compression bandages and compression stockings
• Physical decongestion therapies such as manual lymphatic drainage or vascular sports

Varicose veins can also be treated surgically. You should discuss with your doctor whether surgery is the right choice for you.

Here’s how Med-Healths can help

Via Med-Healths you can speak directly to a doctor about your symptoms. With a photo, the doctor can assess the likelihood of varicose veins and refer you to a suitable vein specialist. If your symptoms severely restrict you in everyday life, the doctor can discuss with you how you can acutely relieve your symptoms and, if necessary, issue you a sick note.