Varicose veins occur due to improper functions or increased pressure in the veins of the lower body. They are twisting and swollen veins that appear blue or dark purple. While it’s only a cosmetic concern for a few, others may experience pain and a lot of discomforts.
About 25 per cent of all adults suffer from varicose veins. The condition affects women twice as much as men and is more common in older women. Varicose often affects the legs as they are farthest from the heart. It causes swelling and discolouration in veins. However, the veins can bleed significantly and may lead to ulcers in severe cases.
Ageing
Hormonal changes
Obesity
Menopause
Sitting and standing for a long time
Family history
Itching
Cramping in leg muscles
Pain and heaviness
Discolouration
Twisted and enlarged veins
For the diagnosis, the doctor will likely examine the patient’s legs and ask about the pain and symptoms. They may also need to check the functions in veins for the signs of blood clotting. There are various tests to ensure that a blood clot or a blockage isn’t causing pain and swelling. So, after the physical examination, the doctor may advise additional imaging tests, such as:
Doppler Test: Doctor will use a transducer probe to detect an obstruction in the blood flow, both in the skin veins and deep veins.
Ultrasound: If the patient has a history of deep vein thrombosis, the doctor will perform an ultrasound for a detailed examination of deep veins.
In most cases, lifestyle changes are enough to treat varicose veins. If all else fails and varicose veins are still causing a lot of pain, then a minimally invasive surgery is performed. In the surgical treatment, the surgeon performs the removal and closure of varicose veins. It doesn’t cause any problem with the blood flow as it continues to flow through other veins.
At Yashoda, we provide less invasive and updated variations of varicose veins surgeries. In laser surgery, the surgeon will send-off laser energy onto the vein, which causes it to collapse and close itself. It requires no incision, and the patient won’t have to stay overnight.