What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged and swollen veins in the legs, ankles or feet. They are a blue or purple colour, and can be lumpy, twisted or bulging in appearance.
Around one in three people have varicose veins, with women being four times more likely to develop the condition than men.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged and swollen veins in the legs, ankles or feet. They are a blue or purple colour, and can be lumpy, twisted or bulging in appearance.
Around one in three people have varicose veins, with women being four times more likely to develop the condition than men.
What causes varicose veins?
Veins contain tiny, one-way valves that open to allow blood to flow up towards our heart. However, when vein walls lose their elasticity, these valves weaken causing blood to flow backwards. Blood then collects in our veins, creating high pressure which causes them to swell and enlarge. Medical professionals do not yet fully understand why this happens, but they do know that there are certain risk factors.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Our patients report a wide range of symptoms, including:
- Achy, heavy and restless legs.
- Pain, itching or throbbing over a prominent vein.
- Swollen ankles and feet.
- Muscle cramps.
- Dry skin.
- Colour changes in the lower leg.
Can varicose veins cause other health problems?
Aside from being painful and a cosmetic issue, varicose veins can lead to other, more serious health conditions if left untreated, including:
Bleeding
If your varicose veins are near the surface of the skin, they may bleed if you cut or knock your leg. The bleeding may be difficult to stop due to the high pressure in the vein. In most cases, you can apply a simple first aid to stem the bleeding – lie down and elevate your leg above your heart while applying pressure to the wound. If this doesn’t work, seek medical advice immediately.
Chronic vein insufficiency (CVI)
When blood collects in our veins, it affects the way our skin exchanges oxygen, nutrients and waste products with our blood. If this occurs over a long period of time, it is called chronic vein insufficiency. Conditions associated with CVI include:
- Varicose eczema – warm, itchy, scaly / flaky skin.
- Lipodermatosclerosis – discoloured skin (pink or brown) that is fragile, hard or tight in texture.
- Oedema – localised swelling in the legs and feet.
- Ulcers – painful, open sores that are prone to infection (click here for more information about this condition).
For more information about chronic vein insufficiency and how we can help, click here.
Superficial thrombophlebitis
Also known as phlebitis, is an inflammation of veins near the surface of the skin caused by a blood clot, usually in the legs and feet. Symptoms include: red, hard, warm, itchy and lumpy skin, and pain and swelling in the affected area. If left untreated, superficial thrombophlebitis can reoccur, and there is a small risk of the clot migrating to a deep vein where it can progress to a deep vein thrombosis. For more information about phlebitis and how we can help, click here.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
A blood clot within a deep vein in the leg that can cause pain and swelling. A DVT may lead to more serious complications such as a pulmonary embolism. This is when a piece of the clot breaks off into the bloodstream and blocks one of the blood vessels in the lungs.
The good news is that with the right treatment, varicose veins and their associated conditions can be remedied.
What varicose vein treatments do you offer?
Your treatment journey will begin with an initial consultation, where our award-winning vascular consultants will perform a detailed examination, including a medical history and symptoms overview, and a non-invasive duplex ultrasound scan. This will allow them to fully determine the underlying cause of your varicose veins and create a tailored, all-inclusive plan that will effectively treat your condition, suit your lifestyle, and achieve the results you are looking for.
