Varicose veins

Definition

Varicose veins are dilated, tortuous, elongated superficial veins that are usually seen in the legs

Description

Varicose veins, also called varicosities, are seen greatest in quantity often in the legs, although they can be fix in other parts of the material part Most often, they appear as lumpy winding utensils just below the surface of the skin. There are three emblems of veins: superficial veins that are just beneath the surface of the skin, reaching far down veins that are large vital current vessels found deep inside muscles, and perforator veins that join the superficial and deep veins. The superficial veins are the life-current vessels most often affected by the agency of varicose veins and are the veins first seen when the varicose condition has developed

The inside walls of veins have valves that lay open and close in response to vital current flow. When the left ventricle of the heart pushes life-blood out into the aorta, it bring forwards the high pressure pulse of a heartbeat and pushes life-current throughout the body. Between heartbeats, there is a period of depressed blood pressure. During the depressed pressure period, blood in the veins is affected through gravity and tends to sweep along backward. The valves in the veins hinder this from happening. Varicose veins start when individual or more valves fail to shut up The blood pressure in that section of vein increases, causing additional valves to fail. This allows life-current to pool and stretch the veins, further weakening the walls of the veins. The walls of the affected veins be deprived of their elasticity in response to increased life-current pressure. As the vessels weaken, more and more valves are unable to shut properly. The veins become larger and wider above time and begin to appear as lumpy winding chains underneath the skin. Varicose veins can also disentangle in the deep veins. Varicose veins in the superficial veins are called primary varicosities, while varicose veins in the of great depth veins are called secondary varicosities.

Liver disease can cause the appearance of varicose veins in the esophagus or upon the surface of the abdomen. These appear in reply to increased pressure of vital current that is unable to propel through a diseased liver. Varicose veins in the esophagus are called esophageal varicosities. Varicose veins upon the surface of the abdomen repeatedly resemble a spider or the head (caput) of the mythological character Medusa.

Causes and symptoms

The predisposing causes of varicose veins are multiple. Lifestyle and hormonal factors play a part Some families seem to have a higher incidence of varicose veins, indicating that there may be a genetic composing to this disease. Varicose veins are progressive. As individual section of a vein weakens, it causes increased squeezing on adjacent sections. These sections frequently develop varicosities. Varicose veins can appear following pregnancy, thrombophlebitis, congenital vital fluid vessel weakness, or obesity, on the contrary are not limited to these conditions. Edema of the surrounding tissue, ankles, and calves, is not usually a complication of primary (superficial) varicose veins and, when seen usually indicates that the reaching far down veins may have varicosities or clots

Varicose veins are a for the use of all problem. Approximately 15% of the adult population in the United States has varicose veins. Women have a plenteous higher incidence of this disease than men The symptoms can include aching, pain, itchiness, or burning sensations, especially when standing. In more [i]or[/i] less cases, with chronically bad veins, there may be a brownish discoloration of the skin or festers (open sores) near the ankles. A condition that is at short intervals associated with varicose veins is spider-burst veins. Spider-burst veins are real small veins that are enlarged. They may be caused through back-pressure from varicose veins, on the contrary can be caused by other factors. They are repeatedly associated with pregnancy, and there may be hormonal factors associated with their unfolding They are primarily of cosmetic bear upon and do not present any medical concerns

Diagnosis

Varicose veins can usually be seen In cases where varicose veins are suspected, on the contrary cannot be seen, a physician may often detect them by palpation (pressing with the fingers). X rays or ultrasound trials can detect varicose veins in the reaching far down and perforator veins and empire out blood clots in the down-reaching veins.

Treatment

There is no specific for varicose veins. Treatment falls into sum of two units classes: relief of symptoms and removal of the affected veins. Symptom relief includes similar measures as wearing support stockings, which compres the veins and clinch them in place. This hold fasts the veins from stretching and limits pain. Other measures are sitting down, using a footstool when sitting, avoiding standing for drawn out periods of time, and raising the leg whenever possible. These measures work through reducing the blood pressure in leg veins. lengthened standing allows the blood to assemble under high pressure in the varicose veins. Exercise similar as walking, biking, and swimming, is beneficial. When the leg are active, the leg muscles help cross-examine the blood in the veins. This limits the amount of life-blood that collects in the varicose veins and brings some of the symptoms. These measures restore symptoms, but do not stop the disease.