Damage to the valves in the veins causes build up of a ‘standing column of blood’ raising the pressure in the veins in the leg, causing the symptoms. Changes in the skin can occur in up to a third of the patients as a consequence of this, particularly around the ankles.
Varicose veins are visible dilated and tortuous veins. The condition affects the legs mostly and affects up to 20% of the population.Veins that are simply visible are not varicose veins. Dilated small blood vessels on the skin are called Spider veins or Telengiectasia
Telengectasia or dilatations of capillaries or small venules (smaller blood vessels of 300 or less microns in diameter) Reticular Veins - these are visible diatations of larger and deeper venules in the skin and can be related to presence of Varicsoe veins.
No single cause has been identified to cause it, although some factors can place an individual at higher risk of having the condition. Heredity, Age, Pregnancy and Obesity are some of these factors. The veins are organised into Deep veins (located inside muscles) and Superficial veins (veins underneath the skin). The return flow of blood to the heart is mostly against gravity and therefore requires one-way valves in the veins. Varicose veins occur when these valves become defective or the vein walls get thinner and dilated.
Non-operative or conservative treatment involves Healthy Lifestyle measures such as optimising one's weight and diet, regular exercise, intermittent leg elevation when feasible and wearing compression stockings. These stockings are thought to improve the function of the failing valves.
Varicose Veins result from altered function of valves in the veins and shape of the veins. There is no effective way of repairing them. Therefore, surgery is the only way of making the venous flow nearly-normal by removing the dysfunction caused by the damaged veins so that the blood flow gets diverted through the rest of the veins in the legs that are working normally.
Thrombophlebitis- clotting and inflammation along the varicose veins which can be very painful. Bleeding - patients with very thin skin overlying the veins (venous blebs) are particularly at risk of this.
Skin discolouration and reduced healing - Due to stagnation in the veins, the skin can get unhealthy over time changing to a different colour and gets prone for leg ulcers as the healing capacity reduces. Deep Vein Thrombosis - there is a slight increase in the occurrence of DVTs, particularly in younger patients.
A quicker way to get customised (tailored to your needs) treatment is to seek Private consultations. You may wish to book directly for private consultations by visiting the website for The Beardwood Hospital.
