Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that are usually blue or dark purple. They may also be lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance. Varicose veins develop when the small valves inside the veins stop working properly.
Classification
- Primary varicose veins
- Secondary varicose veins
Causes
Primary varicose veins
- Congenitally defective valves
- Contraceptive pill use
- idiopathic
- Obesity
- Prolonged standing
Secondary varicose veins
- Congenital abnormalities
- Arteriovenous malformation
- Deep venous valvular insufficiency
- Incompetent perforating veins
- Venous outflow obstruction (pelvic tumours)
- Pregnancy
Symptoms and signs of Varicose veins
- Brown discolouration of the skin at the ankles
- Burning or throbbing in legs
- Dry, itchy and thin skin over the affected vein
- Fullness, heaviness, aching in legs
- Intermittent claudication(night)
- Mild swelling of ankles
- Skin ulcers near the ankle
- Varicose veins develop on the Legs, Oesophagus, Uterus, Vagina, Pelvis, Rectum
- Visible, enlarged veins
Investigations
- Angiogram of legs
- Duplex ultrasound exam of the extremity
- Doppler test
Treatment
Conservative
- Ayurvedic Medicines
- Avoid excessive standing
- Raise legs when resting or sleeping
- Wear elastic support hose.
Surgery
Vein stripping
Non-invasive
- Sclerotherapy
- Laser ablation
- Radiofrequency ablation
Complications
- Bleeding
- Ulceration
- Pigmentation
- Lipo-dermatosclerosis
- Oedema
- Eczema