The commonly known as varicose veins, varicose veins are swollen veins, caused by abnormal blood aumulación, which is due to a weakness (often genetic) of the walls of superficial veins. Such weakness causes the veins to swell easily when a person stands for long. Usually usually they occur in the legs, women being more susceptible to allergies.
Causes
There are three main reasons that lead to the appearance of varicose veins. When it comes to primary varicose veins, it is due to congenital defects in the valves responsible for circulating blood to the heart, so if you do not function properly, allowing blood to pool in areas rescheduled.
Thrombophlebitis is a disease characterized by the creation of blood clots, hindering circulation. In this case, some situations such as prolonged standing, trigger such clots.
Finally, pregnancy is also responsible for the swelling of the veins, however, these tend to disappear over a period of 2 or 3 weeks after birth.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Many of the symptoms caused by varicose veins are often reduced to the following:
- Enlarged veins
- Swelling of the ankles
- Leg pain
- Itching sensation in the lower leg and ankle, that constantly scratching can cause scratches or bleeding.
- Lack of aesthetics.
When varicose veins are already developed, symptoms may worsen, reaching the level of developing dermatitis, phlebitis or ulcers.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of varicose veins is usually straightforward, as manifested in a very superficial way, although symptoms may occur before the onset of these. In cases like this, the physician should palpate the leg to determine the source of the trouble. To assess blood flow, some doctors perform X-rays or ultrasounds duplex tip.
Treatment
Given that in the first instance varicose veins have no cure, treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and prevent the condition from developing further. To do this, each patient is recommended to avoid standing for a long time maintain high legs to rest or sleep and use elastic socks compress the veins, preventing the creation of stretching and injuries.
Surgery may be used as a method of last resort, in order to extract a substantial amount of the veins. Unfortunately, the process causes scarring and does not cause varicose veins to stop developing in future times.
There is also sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a liquid substance to produce a harmless type of phlebitis. Theoretically, scarring obstructs the vein thrombus, so if this does not happen and the thrombus is dissolved, the varicose vein could be reopened.
