- Varicose veins look like an enlarged thick rope and look gnarled and twisted. Your veins are responsible for carrying de-oxygenated blood from the body back to your heart and lungs. As your leg muscles contract, the blood travels from your lower body to the heart. Inside your veins are one-way valves. These valves are supposed to prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it travels up your leg. If these valves weaken, blood pools into the vein. The vein becomes enlarged with this collection of blood. The areas where blood has collected are called varicosities. Varicose veins can appear anywhere on the skin but occur most frequently in the legs. It is estimated that 20 percent of men and 35 percent of women have this condition. Pregnancy creates an ideal situation for these veins to develop. There is extra pressure on veins in the legs by the expanding uterus. Estrogen and progesterone also cause the vein walls to relax. In addition, the veins also must push extra amounts of blood back to the heart. Most women notice that their varicose veins improve after three months of delivering their bundle of joy.
- The symptoms of varicose veins can range from annoying to impacting your quality of life. You may experience a dull, aching pain when walking. There may be visible darkening of the skin or swelling of the legs. Your activities may be limited because your legs may feel numb or heavy. People complain that they are unable to participate in strenuous activity because they will have severe pain in their legs. The legs may also feel itchy and develop a rash. Some people may have difficulty sleeping because they have leg cramps that keep them awake. Other people may be lucky enough to have varicose veins without symptoms.
- Researchers are still trying to understand why some people get varicose veins and others don't. Some believe that genetics may be to blame. Some people may not have enough valves in their veins, thus making them susceptible to varicose veins. Others may have leg valves that are weak and do not work properly. There may also be problems within the structure of the vein wall itself. The vein may be too weak to push blood back up to the heart and lungs.
- Unfortunately, varicose veins are genetic. If your mom has them, chances are high that you will too. There are some things that you can do that can reduce your chances of varicose veins. Control your weight because excess pounds means that there is more pressure in your legs. If your job requires sitting down for long periods of time, do not cross your legs. Cross your legs at the ankle. Take short breaks. Stand up and walk around every 30 minutes or so. If your job requires standing for long periods of time, then shift your weight from one leg to the other. If you are prone to varicose veins, then wear elastic support stockings that will give the veins some extra support. Wear loose clothing that doesn't put pressure on the abdomen or your waist. When you get a chance to rest, elevate your legs. This will make it easier for the pooled blood to return to the heart.
- Varicose veins may develop into superficial thrombophlebitis, which is a blood clot that has developed in the vein. Symptoms of this condition include redness, tenderness, and a sensation of warmth along a part of the varicose vein. The vein may feel harder than usual. These are also symptoms of infection, so it is recommended that you consult your physician if you notice any of these symptoms in your leg. Those with large varicose veins should be very careful not to bump or scratch it. This can result in severe bleeding because there is an abnormal amount of pressure in the leg.
Comments
DulceMaria said
on 12/6/2008 Thank you for your sharing, I have varicose veins since I was a little girl, has been very painful, and I have had some blood clots, but there is no medication for it, I need to wear my supportive hose and elevate my feet when I sleep.Keep on sharing more.