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 life-threatening health condition, but varicose veins can be painful and damaging your confidence.

What is Varicose Veins?

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

This condition is very common, especially in women. Varicose veins can appear on any part of leg, but mostly in 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 if you have varicose veins. But in general doctor will advise you to make lifestyle changes than trying 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.
  • Sclerotheraphy. This treatment is using a liquid or foam chemical injection to block off a 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 require 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 geeting worse, like caused blood clots or chronic inflammation, you should see a doctor immediately.

Head over to the Okadoc app to immediately book an appointment with your health practitioner.