Varicose veins, which can cause pain and swelling in the legs, can become a serious health problem if treatment is not taken.

It is possible to get rid of varicose veins that can occur as a result of frequent use of high heels and standing for long periods, especially in women, with non-surgical treatment methods without feeling pain and suffering.

Varicose veins can cause skin color to change over time.

Varicose veins occur as a result of the veins that provide the return of blood to the heart, and they become enlarged and keep the blood as a result of excessive pressure and blockage and lose their function in returning blood to the heart.

The superficial veins in the legs expand as a result of valvular insufficiency and excessive pressure in the veins, resulting in dilated veins with an elongated kink and a bluish-green appearance.

If varicose veins are not treated, they may progress and lead to skin discoloration, scabs, and wounds.

In addition to the age factor, it is more common in women.

What are the main causes of varicose veins?

Among the known causes that may lead to spider veins:

•  A defect in the vein valves leads to blood reflux.
•  Standing for long hours due to the nature of the work.
•  The occurrence of problems, immune disorders, and inflammation of the walls of blood vessels.
•  Pregnancy may increase the chance of spider veins occurring.
•  Losing weight quickly.
•  Blood problems such as blood clotting and the formation of clotted masses.
•  Weakness of the blood veins and loss of wall elasticity due to aging.
•  The occurrence of genetic disorders and birth defects.
•  Hormonal treatment may play a role in the appearance of varicose veins.
•  Genetics may play an important role in this phenomenon, as it is not considered a disease that threatens human life.
•  It is worth noting that there is a misunderstanding of the causes of this occurrence, as it is common among members of different societies that obesity plays an important role in the appearance of spider veins, but scientific studies have proven to completely contradict this, as excessive body thinness is the reason for the appearance of spider veins.

Can varicose veins be cured?

Venous disease can be cured or reversed in certain instances. For instance, varicose veins can be cured through treatments that block off the affected vein and redirect blood flow. 

It is important to note that though these procedures can successfully treat existing varicose veins, they do not guarantee the prevention of new ones. 

It should be understood that not all cases of venous disease can be cured.

What is vein disease in the legs?

Leg vein disorders encompass a spectrum of issues affecting the veins in the lower limbs, resulting in different signs and problems. 

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) represents a prevalent type of leg vein disorder, marked by damage or weakening of the valves in leg veins, disrupting the natural flow toward the heart.

Consequently, blood can accumulate in the veins, leading to manifestations like:

• Varicose Veins: Veins that are enlarged, twisted, or protruding, often displaying a blue or purple hue beneath the skin.
• Swelling: Edema or swelling in the feet, ankles, or calves, primarily occurring after extended periods of sitting or standing.
• Pain or Discomfort: Sensations of aching, throbbing, or heaviness in the legs, particularly following prolonged standing or walking.
• Skin Changes: Alterations in skin color, redness, or irritation around the affected veins. In severe instances, skin ulcers or sores might develop.
• Fatigue: Legs feeling tired or fatigued, especially towards the end of the day.

Various risk factors contribute to the development of leg vein disorders, such as genetics, age, obesity, pregnancy, extended periods of sitting or standing, and a history of vein-related conditions or blood clots.

Treatment approaches for leg vein disorders vary based on symptom severity. They may entail lifestyle modifications, compression therapy, medication, minimally invasive interventions like sclerotherapy or endovenous ablation, or surgical procedures in severe cases.

Timely diagnosis and proper management are crucial for symptom relief, enhanced quality of life, and complication prevention associated with leg vein disorders.

If there are suspicions of having a leg vein disorder or experiencing related symptoms, seeking advice from a healthcare provider for accurate evaluation and tailored treatment plans is imperative.

How are varicose veins diagnosed?

To diagnose varicose veins, the doctor performs a physical examination that also includes observing the legs when standing to see if there is swelling.

Sometimes the doctor may also ask to describe pain in the legs.

There are many diagnostic methods that the vascular doctor uses to detect the most important causes and symptoms of varicose veins, and accordingly, methods of treating veins are determined.

1. First, a clinical medical examination is performed.
2.  Duplex ultrasound examination: This examination helps the doctor choose the appropriate method for treating veins and reduces the possibility of recurrence of this disease in the future.

Duplex examination also uses ultrasound to determine the direction of flow and thus determine exactly where the blood is moving in the opposite direction.

1. In some rare and special cases, there is a need to conduct some imaging tests, where a specific substance is injected into the superficial blood vessels, and then the leg is photographed to determine the problem in the blood vein and based on it.

A treatment plan for varicose veins is determined.

This examination is very useful in the event of a recurrence of varicose veins.

What is the best medicine for varicose veins?

Lifestyle and home treatment:

Lifestyle treatments and home remedies used for varicose veins include:

• Exercise.

Stay physically active.

Walking is a great way to stimulate blood circulation in the legs.

Your doctor can advise you to engage in a certain level of activity that suits you.

• Weight control.

Losing excess weight relieves the body of unnecessary pressure on the veins.

• Avoid salt.

Follow a low-salt diet to prevent bloating caused by water retention. 

• Choose the right shoe.

Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes.

Short-heeled shoes increase the work of the calf muscles, which is better for the health of the veins.

• Avoid tight clothes.

Do not wear tight clothes around the waist, legs, or groin, as they restrict blood flow.

• Lifting legs.

To improve blood flow in the legs, take short breaks several times throughout the day to raise the legs above the level of the heart. For example, you can lie down with your legs raised on 3 or 4 pillows.

• Avoid sitting or standing for long periods.

Change your position frequently to stimulate blood flow

Others:

If self-care or compression stockings don’t help, or your varicose veins are more severe, your doctor may recommend surgery or other treatment procedures:

• Sclerotherapy:

The doctor injects varicose veins with a solution or foam that causes scars in those veins and blocks them.

Within a few weeks, treated veins disappear.

 A single vein may require injection more than once.

Sclerotherapy does not require anesthesia and can be performed in a doctor’s office.

• Laser treatment for varicose veins:

Laser treatment works by sending powerful flashes of light into the vein, causing the vein to slowly fade and disappear.

No surgical incisions or needles are used in this procedure.

•  Catheterization procedures using radiofrequency or laser energy:

This procedure is preferred to treat large varicose veins.

In which the doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) into an enlarged vein, and heats the tip of the catheter using radiofrequency or laser energy.

The heat destroys the veins when the catheter is removed, causing them to shrink and close tightly.

• High vein ligation and extraction:

This procedure involves tying off the affected vein before it attaches to a deep vein and removing it through small surgical incisions and can be done for most people without an overnight stay in the hospital.

Removing the damaged vein will not impede blood flow in the leg because its deep veins accommodate large amounts of blood.

• Vein transaction with non-bed-bound surgery:

The doctor removes small varicose veins by repeatedly pricking the skin.

Only the parts of the foot that are tingled are numbed in this procedure, which does not require an overnight stay in the hospital.

Scars are generally minor.

What are the complications of varicose veins treatment?

 With any medical procedure, you will have a small chance of experiencing side effects and/or complications from treating varicose veins, which can include:

•  Infection.
•  Scars.
•  Skin burns.
•  Nerve injury.
•  Discomfort at the injection site.
•  Areas of skin discoloration.
•  Swelling or hardness of the skin.
•  Allergic reaction.

Treating varicose and spider veins can help reduce their appearance and associated pain, however, they can recur.

If you become pregnant after treatment, are overweight, or have a sedentary lifestyle, your varicose veins are likely to recur.

 How to prevent varicose veins?

Although varicose veins cannot be completely prevented, you can reduce your risk by making some simple adjustments to your lifestyle, such as:

1. Don’t stand for long periods: If you have to stand, take breaks where your muscles can stretch and walk around.
2. Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight, your doctor can help you develop a weight loss plan because extra pounds add pressure on your blood vessels.
3. Stop smoking: Tobacco damages blood vessels and impairs blood flow.
4.  Wear loose clothing: Clothes that are too tight can affect blood flow, leading to varicose veins.
5. Do not cross your legs in a sitting position: Crossing your legs puts pressure on the veins and affects blood flow.
6. Stay active: Regular exercise helps blood vessels flow more efficiently and maintains healthy blood.
7. Avoid high-heeled shoes (especially for women): High-heeled shoes put severe pressure on the leg veins and cause varicose veins.

Finally:

Varicose veins may be serious diseases affecting your health and lifestyle and may be life-threatening diseases that must be treated urgently.