Have you ever found protruding veins on your leg, especially the upper leg? Well, that could be varicose veins.

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Although it is not a life-threatening health condition, varicose veins can be painful and damaging your confidence.

What is Varicose Vein?

Varicose vein, also known as varicosities or varicose, is a condition when your veins become dilated, enlarged, and overfilled with blood. It typically appears bulged and swollen on your leg and comes in red, dark purple, or blue color.

This condition is very common, especially in women. Varicose veins can appear on any part of the leg, but mostly in the lower legs.

Varicose veins often painful and are very common, especially in women. People with this condition might feel heaviness and achiness around the enlarged veins.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins can occur when the veins aren’t functioning properly, so the blood doesn’t flow effectively; rather than continuing to your heart but collect in the veins and cause enlarged veins.

Some factors that increase your risk of developing varicose veins include:

  • Pregnancy
  • Menopause
  • Obesity
  • Standing for too long
  • Sitting for long hours
  • Age over 50
  • Family history

What are The Treatment Options?

There are some treatment options to choose from if you have varicose veins. But in general, the doctor will advise you to make lifestyle changes than trying the more aggressive treatment.

The recommended treatment will depend on various things, like the size of your varicose veins, complications, and its location. According to Healthline, the other treatment options include:

  • Surgery. This evasive procedure can be done when your varicose veins cause a lot of pain and damaging your health.
  • Laser surgery. This treatment is using light energy to block off a vein.
  • Endoscopic vein surgery. This treatment is using a small lighted scope inserted through a small incision to block off a vein.
  • Microsclerotherapy. This treatment is using a liquid chemical injection to block off smaller veins.
  • Sclerotherapy. This treatment is using a liquid or foam chemical injection to block off larger veins.

Prevention

To reduce your risk of developing varicose veins, here are some preventive things you can do.

  • Avoid standing for too long
  • Exercise to improve your blood circulation
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Do not sit with the legs crossed for too long

If you have a job that requires you to stand for a long time, try to move around at least once every 30 minutes.

When to See A Doctor?

Lifestyle changes can help you ease the pain and may prevent it from getting worse. But if your varicose veins are getting worse, like caused by blood clots or chronic inflammation, you should see a specialist immediately.

Go to Okadoc.com or download our Mobile App and book an appointment with a Vascular Surgeon instantly.