Varicose veins in pictures from symptoms to treatments

Varicose veins are a common condition that affects many adults.

According to statistics, this disease develops in women more often than in men. These veins appear on the legs and become more common with age.

Later in the article, important facts about varicose veins are noted, corresponding photos are given for a better understanding of how they look, what they are and how to treat them.

Varicose veins in the legs

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are abnormally dilated veins that most commonly develop in the legs. Typically blue, purple or skin-colored.

It has the appearance of dilated, twisted and bulging blood vessels that may protrude above the surface of the skin.

What are spider veins?

Spider veins (also called telangiectasias or spider veins, vascular system) are a collection of tiny blood vessels that develop near the surface of the skin.

They are often red, blue or purple and have a web-like appearance. The most common spider veins are found on the face and legs.

What causes varicose veins to develop?

Varicose veins are caused by structural abnormalities in the blood vessels.

Veins carry blood from various parts of the body to the heart. They have a series of one-way valves to prevent backflow of blood.

For a variety of reasons, these valves can become damaged, causing blood to flow back into the veins. Further stagnation of blood increases the pressure within the vein and weakens the blood vessel wall.

Then, due to blood stagnation and the expansion of the affected blood vessels, arachnoid and varicose veins develop.

Long stay is a risk factor for the development of varicose veins

The reasons for the development?

There are many different risk factors that increase a person's chances of developing varicose veins.

These include:

  • old age,
  • standing or sitting for a long time,
  • obesity,
  • pregnancy,
  • hormone therapy,
  • taking birth control pills
  • lesions,
  • previous vein surgery,
  • history of venous thrombosis,
  • family history.

Symptoms of varicose veins

Varicose veins often show no other symptoms and signs besides their unwanted cosmetic appearance. However, some people may experience some symptoms of varicose veins.

Symptoms can include:

  • edema,
  • throbbing sensation
  • aching pain,
  • burning sensation,
  • itching,
  • severity,
  • tingling or cramping in the legs.

These symptoms often get worse after prolonged sitting or standing. Individuals may also develop brown skin color and eventually trophic ulcers.

Complications of varicose veins

If varicose veins are not treated, this can lead to the following:

  • Trophic skin ulcers develop. These open wounds usually appear on the lower leg. Sometimes they can lead to the development of a soft tissue infection.
  • Blood clots develop inside the veins (superficial thrombophlebitis).
  • Possible bleeding from the veins.
The doctor examines the legs with varicose veins

Diagnostics of the vascular network and varicose veins of the legs

The presence of varicose veins in the legs can be diagnosed by a thorough examination of the affected area, which is usually located on the legs.

The examination consists of a visual examination and palpation of the problem area. Particular attention is paid to areas with redness, swelling, skin discoloration and trophic ulcers.

Home care

There are various methods you can apply at home to alleviate some of your symptoms if they appear. These conservative methods can also help prevent potential complications.

Compression stockings

Compression stockings are a simple home treatment measure to relieve leg symptoms.

They improve blood circulation by increasing pressure in the legs. These stockings come in different types and compression forces. Your doctor can recommend a suitable pair. Usually sold in pharmacies.

Exercise on a treadmill

Lifestyle change

Regular exercise and a weight loss program can help relieve the symptoms of arachnids and varicose veins.

Those affected should avoid standing or sitting for long periods and lifting their legs while sitting or sleeping to improve circulation and reduce swelling in the legs.

Sclerotherapy

Sometimes conservative treatment of varicose veins at home may not give the desired results. In these cases, more specialized medical procedures may be performed, depending on the location and size of the abnormal veins.

These medical procedures are often performed for cosmetic reasons.

Sclerotherapy is a common technique that can be performed by a doctor; it is very effective in eliminating most varicose veins and some varicose veins.

During this procedure, which does not require anesthesia, the doctor injects a liquid solution directly into the affected vein, causing it to stick and eventually disappear. It may take multiple sessions for optimal results. Potential side effects include bruising, swelling, bleeding, infections, and skin discoloration.

Before and after sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy: before and after

Sclerotherapy treatments may require multiple sessions and the healing time may vary from person to person.

In general, varicose veins begin to disappear within 3-6 weeks after treatment, while varicose veins can take several months to improve.

Laser treatment of varicose veins

Laser therapy is another alternative medical procedure that can also be performed by a doctor. It is sometimes used in addition to sclerotherapy to maximize results. This technique is most effective for spider veins and small varicose veins.

For those patients who are afraid of needles, laser therapy provides an alternative treatment option, although a doctor can advise you which treatment is best for your particular situation.

Laser therapy uses a focused beam of light that heats the affected blood vessel, which eventually disappears.

Potential side effects include mild redness or swelling around the treated area, skin discoloration, blistering, and rarely scarring.

Before and after the laser therapy procedure

Laser therapy is a recently developed treatment for varicose veins, in which the affected area is treated with pulses of light of different ranges.

Laser therapy: before and after the procedure

As with sclerotherapy, multiple laser sessions are often required for optimal results. Improvement can take anywhere from several weeks to several months after treatment.

Vein surgery

Surgery is a treatment option for more severe cases of varicose veins. Your doctor will discuss various possible surgical procedures with you to help you decide which varicose vein treatment is best for you. One of the surgical methods is to bandage the veins and remove them through small incisions in the skin.

Before and after vein surgery

Venous surgery: before and after treatment

Vein ligation and removal are often effective in treating the symptoms and cosmetic problems of varicose veins. This is done under local, spinal or general anesthesia in a hospital.

Full recovery from this surgery typically takes about 2-4 weeks. Potential complications can include infections, bleeding, scarring, nerve damage, deep vein thrombosis, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.

Intravenous laser therapy

Intravenous laser therapy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves laser irradiation through a thin wire inserted into the affected vein, causing it to narrow.

Intravenous laser therapy has an initial success rate of 98%. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia or light sedation.

Patients report less pain and faster recovery with intravenous laser therapy than with ligation and surgical vein removal.

Radiofrequency ablation

Intravenous radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure similar to intravenous laser therapy.

Instead of using laser light, a catheter inserted into a vein uses radiofrequency energy, which heats and constricts the affected vessel.

As with intravenous laser therapy, patients report less pain and faster recovery than ligation and removal of veins by surgery.

Exercise - prevention of the development of varicose veins

Prevention of varicose veins

Although varicose veins are not always preventable, there are various methods you can take to reduce your chances of developing them.

Prevention tips include:

  • Regular exercise;
  • Maintain a healthy weight;
  • Avoid sitting or standing for a long time;
  • Avoid pinching your legs while sitting;
  • Raise your legs higher when you rest;
  • Do not wear clothing that hugs the body around the waist, crotch and legs.

Dear friends. This article is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for consulting a doctor.