Varicose Veins

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are swollen veins on the surface of the leg. (Veins are blood vessels carrying blood from the rest of the body towards the heart). Varicose veins usually start on the calf, but can be found right up to the groin. They are more obvious when a person stands up.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins affect humans because human beings stand upright rather than walk on all fours. This means that gravity puts pressure on the veins in the legs, and they have to work harder to pump blood back upwards to the heart. Sometimes this pressure can break the valves in the veins, which should only let the blood go one way - towards the heart. This means blood can collect in pools in the veins. They are made worse by standing for long periods, by being constipated or overweight, and by pregnancy.

Who gets them?

Women suffer from varicose veins more often than men. Varicose veins may appear, or get much worse, when a woman is pregnant. If people are on their feet all day, (especially standing still for a long time) they are more likely to suffer from varicose veins.

What are the symptoms?

Varicose veins may become apparent when a person gets other problems due to them. They appear as wriggly lines above the surface of the skin on the legs. They start to ache as the day goes on. The feet and ankles may swell towards the end of the day, especially in hot weather. If varicose veins get very bad, they can cause ulcers on the ankles. They can also get sore and inflamed, causing redness of the skin around them.

When should a person with varicose veins consult a doctor?

Simply simply wearing support tights or stockings can relieve the first symptoms of pain in the legs from varicose veins. But if the symptoms become troublesome, a doctor's consultation is a must. An ulcer on the ankle should be shown immediately to a doctor.

What is the short-term treatment?

This depends on the symptoms a person is having. The doctor may advise using support tights or stockings. If a person is constipated, which may be making the problem worse, the doctor may treat this too. If the person has inflamed patches or an infection, antibiotics and creams may also be advised. If ulcers have developed as a result of the varicose veins, regular dressings may be necessary.

Will long term treatment be necessary?

Sometimes an operation to strip the veins out of the leg, or a minor operation to close the veins off may be necessary. This is done by injecting the veins with a special liquid and does not need a general anaesthetic. Afterwards the legs will have to be kept bandaged and the person may have to walk at least three miles a day for some weeks.

How can a person stop them from getting worse?

Avoiding constipation and losing weight can help if a person is overweight. Regular exercise and avoiding standing still for long periods, wriggling the feet and clenching the calves to keep the circulation going can all help. Getting up and stretching one's legs regularly is also useful.