Varicose veins are large, swollen veins that often appear on the legs and feet. They happen when the valves in the veins do not work properly, so the blood does not flow effectively. Varicose veins are generally benign. The cause of this condition is not known. For many people, there are no symptoms and varicose veins are simply a cosmetic concern. In some cases, they cause aching pain and discomfort or signal an underlying circulatory problem.
What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose Veins or Varicosities is a condition in which the veins swell up, enlarge, and get twisted such that they become physically visible. This kind of condition mostly appears in the lower limbs (legs and feet). Varicose Veins are most prevalent in women and are caused due to faulty and damaged valves.
In this condition, the veins appear raised, swollen, bluish-purple, or red in colour and the patient usually feels excessive pain. As per the statistics, varicose veins are one of the most common, yet serious vascular diseases in India with more than 10 million cases getting registered and treated annually. In India, every 30 out of 100 adult people are diagnosed with this condition.
Formation of Varicose Veins:
It is a medical condition wherein the lower limbs experience immense pressure such that the blood gets pushed back towards the heart. The increased pressure weakens the valves of the veins causing the blood to pool.
This leads to the bulging of veins significantly, making it visible through the skin. Depending upon their appearance, varicose veins are classified into different types, including Saphenous/Trunk varicose veins, Reticular varicose veins, and Spider/ Thread varicose veins.
Prevention from Varicose Veins:
Although the existing condition of varicose veins cannot be cured without surgical intervention, one can undertake a few measures for maintaining a healthy lifestyle that can reduce disease-associated complications. Keeping yourself hydrated and consuming fibrous food can help in improving vein strength, making you less prone to this disease. Also, exercises, including brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, biking, hiking, etc. can be an effective preventive measure against varicose veins because exercising help in building the calf muscles that eventually improves blood circulation in the legs.
If you are already prone to this condition, light massages can bring temporary relief from the pain and discomfort. However, you should not involve yourself in intense pressure massage because that can worsen the condition leading to the burst of already weakened muscles and increasing the risk of pulmonary embolism. Apart from this, you can avoid prolonged sitting or standing, consume a fiber-rich diet and avoid weaning tight-fitted clothes, compression garments, stockings, high heels, etc.
Symptoms
- Burning
- Muscle cramping
- Swelling in the lower legs
- Throbbing
- Itching around veins
- Discolouration around a vein
- Aching
- Heaviness in legs
Causes
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Prolonged sitting or standing
- Hereditary or family history
- Ageing
Grades & Severity
Stage 1 (Spider Veins)::
In this stage, the dilated skin capillaries create a spider-like structure in the legs. This condition typically causes more cosmetic issues than health problems, but in some cases, it can even induce pain. Treating spider veins not only improves the appearance but also prevents the progression of venous disease.
Stage 2 (Varicose Veins):
At this stage, the veins form a ropey-like appearance with small bulges that are often found protruding from the skin. This condition, if left untreated can lead to escalation of symptoms and worsen its appearance. In worst-case scenarios, it can begin to interfere with daily life and associated activities.
Stage 3 (Leg Edema):
As the venous disease progresses, the varicose veins condition escalates to a serious condition, namely edema. This condition is characterized by chronic leg swelling that manifests over the day or after standing for long periods. Other patients experience restlessness around the legs, itchy skin, cramping, and severe aching.
Stage 4 (Skin Changes):
Over time, this condition causes skin discolouration. The skin becomes thinner and is accompanied by brown discolouration. Patches of brown skin stains appear on the skin because of blood leaking from the blood vessels and into the skin tissue.
Stage 5 (Leg Ulcers):
This is one of the most serious stages of varicose veins. At this stage, the patient feels extreme pain, itchiness, and cramping in the legs. This condition requires maximum care, dressing changes, and immediate surgical intervention.
Diagnosis
Self Diagnosis:
When you start experiencing symptoms, such as bulging, bluish veins or extreme aching, heaviness in legs, burning, itching, muscle cramp, and swelling in legs, this might be a clear indication that you need to consult a doctor.
Diagnosis by Doctor:
As a first step, the doctor performs a physical examination and checks for swelling in the legs while standing, and asks you to describe your discomfort. After the physical diagnosis of the condition, the doctor might recommend several tests, including an ultrasound scan and a doppler test.
Ultrasound scan:
Through venous ultrasound, the doctor will get a detailed overview of the damaged valves and abnormal blood flow.
Doppler test:
It is a simple non-invasive test conducted using ultrasound that will determine the blood flow in the veins located in the arms, legs, and arteries.
When to consult a doctor?
Varicose veins might not seem like a medical emergency, but if left untreated, it can eventually lead to serious circulatory malfunctions, including blood clots or thrombophlebitis, bleeding around the skin, and non-healing ulcers around the ankle, etc., resulting in paralysis of a limb, pulmonary embolism or even death.
So, when you immediately seek medical assistance if you notice the varicose veins symptoms, including severe pain in the legs, the appearance of swollen bluish veins, itching in the veins, etc.
Treatment for Varicose Veins
Sclerotherapy
can be done which includes chemical ablation during which a solution is injected into the vein such that it collapses. However, it is not considered one of the best treatments because there are chances of recurrence.
Endovenous laser therapy ablation,
popularly known as endovenous laser treatment (EVLA) is a minimally invasive ultrasound-guided procedure that involves the use of ultrasound images and laser fiber to kill the delicate lining of the veins. This is considered one of the advanced procedures that involve a lower risk of complications with high success rates.
Post-operative care:
- Avoid exercising
- Ensure regular dressing of the treated area
- Avoid lifting heavy objects
- Take prescribed medications diligently
- Minimal participation in strenuous sports
Risks and Complications
If left untreated:
If varicose veins condition is left untreated, it can lead to its escalations causing several complications, such as increased pain, swelling, blood clots, skin ulcers, spontaneous bleeding, superficial thrombophlebitis, Lipodermatosclerosis, deep vein thrombosis, etc.
Blood clotting:
Occasionally, veins deep within the legs become enlarged leading to narrowing of the anal opening.
Bleeding:
In serious cases, veins close to the skin may burst.
Ulcers:
Painful ulcers may form on the skin near varicose veins, particularly near the ankles, and lead to bleeding during bowel movement
During & after surgery:
Varicose Veins is one of the safest vascular procedures which involves minimum risks as it is performed by expert surgeons having an experience of more than 10 years. The patient is treated under the influence of anaesthesia to avoid pain and discomfort.
Soon after the surgery, the patient might feel a little pain, bruising, soreness, and some discomfort but the pain and discomfort are taken care of with painkillers while the bruising and soreness diminished within 1-2 days. Mostly, it is noticed that the patient completely recovers and returns to normal life within 3-4 weeks post-surgery.
Cost of Varicose Veins Surgery in India
The cost of surgical treatment of varicose veins in Pune or other states in India with Glamyo Health can range between Rs. 40,000 to Rs 80,000 depending on multiple factors, including the severity of the condition, consultation fee of the surgeon, cost of medication, the fee to be paid for diagnostic and lab tests, and type and location of the hospital chosen, among others.
The treatment of varicose veins is covered under insurance and the good part is Glamyo Health accepts all kinds of insurance and provides many other lucrative offers, including interest-free, EMI facility, cashless treatment, loans, etc. Mostly, it is noticed that the patient completely recovers and returns to normal life within 3-4 weeks post-surgery.
