Varicose Veins Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

How to Spot and Treat Varicose Veins: Complete Guide

Varicose veins, also known as varicosities, are enlarged, twisted veins, usually occurring on the legs but can also form in other areas of the body. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins in the rectum. Spider veins, or telangiectasias, are another type that involves smaller blood vessels. You may also experience varicose veins in the scrotum if you are diagnosed with varicoceles.

However, this condition is most frequently linked with leg veins, where gravity and weakened valves contribute to their development. Though varicose veins are primarily harmless, severe conditions can be life-threatening. So, it is essential to identify symptoms of varicose veins and consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Read on to understand more about its symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention.

What are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins?

During the early stage varicose veins symptoms, you will encounter gnarled, purple or blue veins under the surface of your skin. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of varicose veins that you must look out for:

Legs Feeling Heavy

This is one of the common symptoms of varicose veins in the legs, where the muscles of your legs feel heavy, tired, or sluggish. The feeling becomes intense after physical activities or workouts.

Veins Bulging Out

You may notice symptoms of varicose veins in feet, ankles, and legs in the form of swollen and twisted rope-like purple or blue veins. These are found under the skin surface and can develop in clusters. You may also notice spider veins in blue or red lines near these swollen clusters.

Leg Pain

Varicose veins problem symptoms also include pain in your leg, soreness or aches behind the knees and other parts of the legs. Individuals may also get muscle cramps due to varicose veins.

Varicose Ulcer and Skin Discoloration

Negligence and delayed treatment can make the situation worse and cause skin discolourations. In severe cases of varicose veins, you may also experience varicose ulcer symptoms or sores on the skin.

Itching and Swelling

You may feel itchiness around the skin with varicose veins. Symptoms of varicose veins in the legs and feet may also include throbbing and swelling. Individuals affected with varicose veins are often prone to DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

It occurs due to blood clots in your leg’s blood vessels. These clots can also cause pulmonary embolism if they move to the lungs. Opting for immediate medical care is necessary upon noticing any hot sore in the leg area or other severe signs and symptoms of varicose veins.

What Causes Varicose Veins Symptoms?

Varicose veins symptoms occur when the tiny valves in your blood vessels start malfunctioning. These veins are supposed to carry blood from the legs and feet back to the heart. If the veins are healthy, the blood is moved upward to the heart by the one-way valves present within the veins of the leg.

However, if these veins are not healthy and do not close tightly, blood flow will be sluggish. In such cases, blood gets collected in the veins instead of reaching the heart, leading to varicose veins.

Varicose veins symptoms are common, especially in older women. Though it is a common issue, it may cause blood clots, skin issues, and other problems in the case of severe varicosity.

What are the Risk Factors of Varicose Veins?

There are several factors that contribute to the risk of varicose veins. Listed below are those potential risk factors:

Age

The valves in your veins that control blood flow may wear and tear due to ageing. As a result, some blood may flow back to the veins instead of reaching the heart. This blood gets collected in your veins over time, causing varicosity.

Family History

If any of your family members have had a medical history of varicose veins, you have a higher chances of adopting the varicose veins symptoms.

Gender

Varicose veins are more common in women than men. This is because they experience hormonal changes during pregnancy, before menstruation, and during menopause. As hormones relax in the walls of the veins, such changes can lead to varicose veins.

Moreover, women undergoing hormonal treatments or taking birth control pills may also have high risks of varicose veins.

Obesity

Due to increasing body weight, your veins experience extra pressure, which further increases the risk of varicose veins.

Standing or Sitting for Long Hours

Individuals engaged in professions or living conditions that involve standing or sitting for long hours are at high risk of varicose veins. Body movements allow the blood to flow in your veins; long standing or sitting can interrupt this process, causing varicose veins.

Pregnancy

Your body’s blood volume increases during pregnancy to support the baby’s growth. However, due to this increase in blood volume, the veins in the legs can get bigger, causing varicose veins.

How are Varicose Veins Diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose varicose veins by examining your legs to see if they swell up when standing. Moreover, they check if you have pain or aches in your legs. Apart from a physical examination of the varicose veins symptoms, healthcare providers may also ask for the following test:

Venous Doppler Ultrasound

In this test, healthcare professionals use sound waves to check if the blood flows optimally in your veins through the valves. It is painless and helps detect blood clots in your legs.

How are Varicose Veins Treated?

Varicose veins can be treated in various ways, and those treatment procedures are as follows:

Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are a common first-line treatment for varicose veins. They apply pressure to the legs, aiding veins and muscles in moving blood more effectively. Available in various types and brands, these stockings can be purchased at pharmacies or medical supply stores, with accessible prescription-strength options.

Self-care

Self-care measures are highly effective in easing the discomfort caused by varicose veins and preventing their progression. Regular exercise improves blood circulation and strengthens leg muscles while elevating the legs reduces pressure on veins and promotes blood flow.

Wearing compression stockings provides consistent pressure to help veins move blood efficiently. If your varicose veins symptoms are not improving with self-care and compression stockings, doctors will recommend the next procedure.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment for varicose veins uses focused bursts of light to gradually fade and disappear the affected vein. This non-invasive procedure involves no cuts or needles, offering a safe and effective way to treat varicose veins with minimal discomfort.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat varicose veins and spider veins. A healthcare professional injects a solution or foam into the affected vein, causing it to scar and close. Over time, the vein fades. Multiple sessions may be required for some veins. This outpatient treatment is performed without anaesthesia and typically in a medical office.

Radiofrequency Ablation

It is a widely used treatment for larger varicose veins. A catheter is inserted into the vein, and its tip is heated using radiofrequency or laser energy. As the catheter is withdrawn, the heat causes the vein to collapse and seal shut, effectively eliminating the vein without invasive surgery.

Vein Stripping and High Ligation

Vein ligation and stripping is a surgical procedure for varicose veins. It involves tying off the affected vein at its junction with a deep vein and removing it through small incisions. This outpatient surgery redirects blood flow to deeper veins, ensuring that circulation remains unaffected. It effectively treats symptoms and prevents recurrence, improving both health and appearance.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Ambulatory phlebectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove smaller varicose veins. A healthcare professional makes tiny pricks in the skin and numbs only the treated area. The veins are removed through these incisions, leaving minimal scarring. This outpatient procedure ensures quick recovery and effective symptom relief.

At Star Health, we offer complete coverage for varicose vein treatment under our Star Outpatient Care Insurance Policy. We also provide hassle-free claim settlements with less turnaround time across our 14,000+ network hospitals in India.

How to Prevent Varicose Veins?

While it may not be possible to completely prevent varicose veins, adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of developing them. Healthcare providers recommend several preventive measures that also help in treating varicose veins.

Here are some key tips:

● Avoid Long Periods of Standing: Take regular breaks to stretch and walk around, especially if your job involves standing for extended periods.

● Maintain a Healthy Weight: Losing excess pounds reduces pressure inside your blood vessels.

● Try Compression Stockings: Supportive socks and pantyhose compress veins and aid blood circulation, potentially preventing varicose veins from worsening.

● Elevate Your Legs: Raising your feet above the waist helps blood flow back to the heart.

● Quit Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels, decreases blood flow, and causes numerous health problems.

● Stay Active: Regular movement improves circulation and prevents prolonged periods of sitting still.

● Wear Properly Fitting Clothes: Ensure your waistband isn’t too tight to encourage blood flow.

By following these tips, individuals can reduce their likelihood of developing varicose veins symptoms and reduce the symptoms if they already exist. Identifying the symptoms is essential to adopting the right treatment method. So, if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned, consult your healthcare provider immediately.

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FAQs

What are varicose veins cancer symptoms?

Varicose veins aren't cancer symptoms, but cancer can exacerbate vein issues. Symptoms include bulging veins, aching pain, swelling, and skin changes, often intensified by cancer treatments.

What are varicose veins in testicles symptoms?

Varicocele symptoms in the testicles include dull, aching pain, swelling, or discomfort in the scrotum, often worsening with prolonged standing or activity. Enlarged veins may appear as a "bag of worms," and testicular size or fertility may be affected. Symptoms often improve when lying down.

What are varicose eczema symptoms?

The symptoms of varicose eczema include itchy and swollen skin, dryness, blisters, flakiness, etc. In light skin tones, it looks brown or red, and in dark skin tones, it looks purple, dark brown, or grey.

What are the early symptoms of varicose veins?

The early symptoms of varicose veins include purple or blue veins on the legs that are twisted or bulging out. You may also feel heaviness in your legs.

What are varicose veins in pelvis symptoms?

Pelvic varicose veins, or pelvic congestion syndrome, cause symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain, heaviness in the lower abdomen, back pain, leg pain, discomfort during sex, and swelling in the legs or pelvis.