Almost 50% of women in America have some type of vein problem. For men, the percentage can average around 45%. Varicose and spider veins become more common with increasing age, pregnancy, obesity, a leg injury, sun exposure (especially for those with fair skin), hormonal changes and standing for long periods of time.
Enlarged veins that are usually found on the legs, although they can be found in other places, can be dark purple, blue or flesh-colored. These veins may have an appearance of twisted, bulging cords raised on the leg. The most common places on the legs for varicose veins to be found are the backs of the calves or on the inside of a leg.
Red or blue veins that appear to look like varicose veins, but are smaller are called spider veins. Spider veins are also closer to the surface of the skin than you would find varicose veins. Sometimes spider veins can be found on the face.
Some symptoms of varicose veins include: legs that tire easily, heaviness in legs, skin darkening, numbness in legs, leg swelling, and irritated, itchy legs, and of course, seeing the above mentioned veins.
Spider veins tend to remain the same, but varicose veins will most likely enlarge with time, and cause blood clots, infections, skin ulcers, sores and rashes.
Getting varicose and spider veins can be prevented somewhat by taking certain precautions. It is important that you exercise regularly, as this gets your circulation running smoothly and helping with leg strength. Legs should not be crossed while sitting. Elevate your legs while sitting. Try to cut salt out of your diet and introduce more foods containing fiber. Salt is known to cause swelling and cause water retention. Try wearing support stockings and avoid tight clothing that restricts.
However, with any condition that you feel you may have, it is best to go to your doctor to make sure that what you think is varicose or spider veins really is. Then your doctor can customize the best treatment plan for you at that time. A typical doctor's visit for this type of condition may include a regular physical exam, X-rays or pictures of the vein done via ultrasound.
Your doctor may recommend one of the following treatment options to you.
1. Ambulatory Phlebectomy involves marking the location of the vein with a special light source. The vein is pulled out of the leg by making tiny cuts and inserting surgical hooks.
2. Endoscopic vein surgery involves removing the veins by small cuts. A small video is used to see inside the vein.
3. Laser surgery involves sending bursts of light into the vein to be treated. While this type of treatment avoids needles and incisions, it can still be quite painful. Cooling is usually done to help with the pain from the laser. Some bruising may occur.
4. Sclerotherapy which involves an injection of a solution into the vein. The vein walls then swell and stick together, and then seal shut. The vein will turn to scar tissue, since the vein's blood flow has been stopped.
5. Surgical Litigation and Stripping involves tying the vein shut and then removing it from the leg. General anesthesia is usually administered in either an operating room or outpatient basis.
Even after treatment, these veins can return, but these therapies have a high success rate. Most likely, compression support stockings will need to be worn throughout the day to help prevent the veins from coming back.
When veins in the human body become enlarged, they are know as varicose veins. The color of these veins can vary. They can be a dark blue, blue, purple, or even a flesh like color. These veins look like they are wrapped and enveloped into each other. They are at their worst when they actual enlarge past the skin and protrude. These veins do not make wearing shorts fun and they develop mostly on a persons legs.
If you suffer from the problem of varicose veins, don't worry; you are by no means alone. Over half the women in the Unites States on America suffer from this problem. I always thought it was just something that happened to woman, as they get older. I then found out that there are many factors that could cause a woman to get varicose veins. I remember when my wife first started getting them. She was the ripe old age of 28. Were expecting our third child. That's when I found out that one of the causes is an increase of the flow of blood in the body. Because she was pregnant there was more blood flowing through her veins.
The problem of varicose veins can escalate into something much more serious than just bad appearances. If left untreated a woman could start to feel some discomfort in her legs. That discomfort can lead to extreme pain.
Because the legs are so far below the heart the veins located there have the hardest time pumping the blood back up. As more and more pressure is put on the legs (through pregnancy, weight gain, etc) the blood collects there. It is pumped through at a much slower rate than the rest of the body. The collection of blood could very easily lead to blood clots. This is a very dangerous situation as blood clots passed to the heart and brain cause strokes and possibly death.
Another cause of varicose veins is one that we would not think of. Women can become afflicted with varicose veins from over expose to the sun. Yes, too much sun can bring on varicose veins. These varicose veins don't show up on the legs but in a far more obvious place. They appear on the face. Also women with a family history of varicose veins are much more likely to get them too.
How can you avoid the problem of varicose veins? Well first, limit your exposure to the harmful effects of the sun. No you don't have to lock yourself inside. Just put on a good sun block with a high SPF. Also watch your weight. Don't gain too much to fast. Keep to a healthy diet and regular exercise to keep that blood flowing like it should.
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