What are varicose veins? How do we treat them?

Question

I would like to know what causes varicose veins and how they can be eliminated.

Answer 1

What are varicose veins?

>Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. They most commonly develop in the legs and ankles.

What causes varicose veins?

>Varicose veins develop when you have faulty valves in your veins and weakened vein walls. Normally, the one-way valves in these veins keep the blood flowing efficiently against gravity up toward the heart. When these valves do not function properly, blood pools, pressure builds up, and the veins become weakened, enlarged, and twisted. This is called venous insufficiency.

Some people may be more likely than others to develop varicose veins because of inherited characteristics (genetics) and the aging process. Varicose veins may also result from conditions that increase pressure on the leg veins, such as being overweight or pregnant or having an occupation that requires standing for long periods of time.

How are they treated?

>Self-care measures such as wearing compression stockings, elevating your legs, and exercising regularly may relieve symptoms and keep varicose veins from getting worse.

Sclerotherapy, endovenous laser or radiofrequency treatment (which uses heat to close off varicose veins), or surgery to treat varicose veins may be considered when symptoms persist. These procedures may also be used if you are concerned about the appearance of varicose veins.

Answer 2

When I turned 28 I already had been in pain, embarrassed, and scared of becoming pregnant. I didn't want my big blue varicose veins to get worse. The All Natural Varicose & Spider Vein Solution program was an easy read and easy to do. Within 21 days there was a big difference in how my legs looked and I can wear shorts without feeling embarrassed. I feel so much better with more energy and for giving me back a healthier body, and the legs that a 28 year old should have.

Naturally heal your veins?

Answer 3

Varicose veins are very common. They affect around three in ten women at some time in their lives and around half as many men. They are swollen veins (usually on the legs) that look lumpy and bluish through the skin..
CAUSE:
There is a greater risk of getting varicose veins during pregnancy, and if you are very overweight because this increases the pressure in your abdomen and so in your veins. Many other factors have been blamed for varicose veins, such as standing for long periods, crossing your legs while sitting, smoking and poor diet. However, there isn't strong scientific evidence to support these theories

TREATMENT:
Compression stockings
Injection sclerotherapy
Varicose vein surgery
New approaches
Minimally invasive techniques such as laser, microwave and radiofrequency treatments are being provided at some hospitals. One of these is endovenous ligation treatment (EVLT), where a fine laser probe is passed inside a vein. This heats the vein and causes it to close up.

FOR MORE DETAILED INFO GO :http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Varicose_veins.html

Answer 4

Varicose veins are gnarled, enlarged veins, Any vein may become varicose, but the veins most commonly affected are those in your legs and feet. That's because you stand and walk upright, which increases the pressure in the veins in your lower body. You can help avoid them by watching your weight, avoid high heels, do not wear tight clothing around your waist, don't sit with legs crossed. If you stand for long periods at a time, elevate your legs above the level of your heart periodically. For treatment see the website below. Speak with your MD.

Answer 5

I don't know how varicose veins are caused, only that they quite often appear in older people (I've only ever seen it on women, but I suppose men must get it too), when blood veins somehow rise to the surface creating a "web" of veins. My own mom had varicose veins on both legs, and she got them removed a few years ago. The doctors injected the veins with a sugar water solution and in a few days the veins dissapeared!

Answer 6

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, painful superficial veins resulting from poorly functioning valves. These are most common in the legs.

Varicose veins result from an increased elasticity of the vein wall. As we grow older, the valves in the veins may malfunction and cause blood, which should be traveling toward the heart, to pool in superficial veins. The result is an enlargement and bluish appearance in these veins. The bluish color is a direct result of varying amounts of deoxygenated blood in the vein(s) that is in a process of recirculation.

Varicose veins are far more common in individuals who sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, due to poor circulation. Other risk factors may include: Age, Genetics, Sex, Obesity

Conventional Treatments:

Compression Stockings
Ablation
Laser *********
Vein *********

I hope I answered your questions.

Answer 7

varicose veins:
anatomical defn.:dilated, enlarged and tortous veins.
physiological defn.:veins with reversal of blood flow.


they actually mean destruction of the valves which maintai unidirectional flow of blood or due to damage in the veins whichconnect the superficial veins and the deep veins.


conservatively they canbe treated by elastic crepe bandage, foot end elevation while sleeping, increasin thickness of the heel of shoes or sandals.
or they can be treated by sclerotherapy where a substance is injected into the vein to close them.
or they can be treated surgically by removal of the whole vein or the affected part.

Answer 8

their enlarged veins and are caused when the valves in your veins don't work properly
they cant be eliminated but can be avoided by controling weight,
exercising,
watching the type of clothes you wear
ex: tight shoes
not sitting or standing for too long
and not sitting w/ legs crossed

HOPE I HELPED ! ! :)

Answer 9

check it out here. i knew what they were but wasn't sure on treatment

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varicose_veins