Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. They are most common in the legs and ankles. They usually aren’t serious, but they can sometimes lead to other problems.
Varicose veins are caused by weakened valves and veins in the legs. Varicose veins are often hereditary and risk increases with aging, overweight, pregnancy, long duration of standing, etc.
Symptoms:
- Heaviness, burning, aching, tiredness, or pain in the legs. Symptoms may worsen after long duration of standing or sitting.
- Swelling of feet and ankles.
- Itching over the vein.
More serious symptoms include:
- Leg swelling.
- Swelling and calf pain after sitting or standing for long periods of time.
Skin changes, such as:
- Color changes.
- Dry, thinned skin.
- Inflammation.
- Scaling.
- Open sores, or profuse bleeding after a minor injury.
Varicose veins are common and usually aren’t a sign of a serious problem. But in some cases, varicose veins can be a sign of a blockage in the deeper veins called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Treatment:
- Wear compression stockings.
- Prop up (elevate) the legs.
- Avoid long periods of sitting or standing.
- Get plenty of exercise.
Medical tip
Basic therapy against this medical condition is medical compression stockings like
Medical compression stockings are prescribed by the doctor if required, and the patients are measured for the correct fit by specialist medical retailers (e.g. surgical appliance dealers): the user’s leg circumferences are measured in several places so that the compression stocking matches his anatomy exactly.
