Symptoms & Diagnosis
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose vein of legs is common, affecting 1-15% of adult men and 20-25% of adult women. The leg vein normally contains multiple valves which helps the blood flow in direction of the heart. When these valves are damaged, blood starts pooling in the legs causing swelling of the legs, aching pain, heaviness, fatigue, skin discoloration, itching, varicosities (prominent vein) and if not treated it may develope non-healing ulcers in leg. Ultimately, the person is forced to lead a disabled life.
How do they present?
- Patients normally present with pain in the leg/legs which is more of a dull ache occurring towards the end of the day after prolonged standing. This pain is relieved by elevation.
- They also develop swelling around the ankles and the legs feel very heavy.
- They complain of discoloration around the ankle area. Ulcers may form around the ankles.
- They may complain of itching and night cramps.
- Some obese people may have pain, swelling and heaviness for years with no visible varicose veins because of the obesity. They too have huge veins proven on color doppler.
Varicose Vein Symptoms
Comfortable and sedentary life-style, modern fashion, special postures adopted while performing professional duties have contributed to increased incidence of a set of diseases unheard of in the past. Varicose vein disease is one of them and is a direct result of sedentary life-style. The problem has become very common during these days. According to one estimate, 15 to 20 per cent of the population in India is suffering from varicose vein disease these days. Women suffer from this disease four times more than men. There is an increased risk of the development of varicose vein among young females who wear tight jeans and high-heeled sandals.
The most common presenting with symptoms: –
- Pain (some time on & off).
- Swelling more prominent in end of day.
- Heaviness in leg.
- Fatigue.
- Prominent & dilated veins in leg veins.
- Pigmentation.
- Venous ulcer.
Effects On Leg & Complications
Bleeding from Superficial Veins – long-standing high pressure in the veins may develop an area that bleeds through small sites, no larger than pinholes. Most of these occur around the ankle, but spontaneous bleeding can also occur anywhere there is high venous pressure
Venous pigmentation, also known as Hemosiderin staining of the skin is a relatively common late complication of untreated superficial venous insufficiency or venous reflux resulting in chronic venous hypertension.
Venous stasis dermatitis, also known as venous eczema, is a common inflammatory skin disease that occurs on the lower extremities in patients with severe chronic venous congestion. It can arise as discrete patches or affect the leg all the way around the ankle. Symptoms of this condition include swelling (typically concentrated around the legs or ankles), changes in skin color and texture, and pain. The affected skin is itchy and assumes red, purple, or brown colors.
venous stasis ulcers is the most serious complication of untreated superficial venous insufficiency and chronic venous congestion.
Superficial venous thrombosis is a blood clot, or thrombus, which develops in a vein close to the surface of the skin. The blood clot commonly appears as a red streak along the course of an affected vein, which may feel warm and tender or swollen due to inflammation (phlebitis).
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – occurs when a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the body, usually in the leg. Total occlusion of one or more of the major leg veins and the impaired blood return to the heart results in massive leg swelling.
Pulmonary embolism – blood clot forms in the deep veins of the body some time migrate to lungs vein it may lead to death also if undiagnosed.
Treatment Options For Varicose Veins
- Surgical Treatment by Advanced Laser
- Conservative Treatment: – Elevating and flexing your legs can help reduce leg swelling and relieve other symptoms.
- Compression Stockings: – Compression stockings are elastic stockings that squeeze your veins and stop excess blood from flowing backward. You may be required to wear compression stockings daily for the rest of your life.
- Sclerotherapy: – This is only for short segment disease.
Head Doctor
-
Dr Rahul Jaiswal
Dr Rahul Jaiswal
17 years experience
Senior consultant in Advanced Laparoscopic, Bariatric, Laser and Gastro Surgery.
View more →