The Risks Of Varicose Veins:

The human body is a complex machine. It’s made of very complicated parts that most humans don’t understand. The lack of knowledge and awareness can lead to a lot of serious issues; one such issue is varicose veins.

What are varicose veins?

Our body has a massive web of veins that goes from our brain to the tip of your toes. A varicose vein is a pervasive problem that occurs when you stand for an extended period in the daily routine. Basically, these veins are enlarged and twisted. The problem is pretty common as any superficial vein can turn in to a varicose vein. These most commonly occur in the legs as they get all the pressure while you stand upright for an extensive length of time.

Many adults suffer from this condition. For some, they are only a skin abnormality. For others, they ache and hurt after extensive standing, while for many people they can turn into a very serious problem.

To understand any problem and its potential risks, you first need to know all its background and symptoms.

Symptoms:

You can combat any disease better if you’re armed with the right knowledge. In most patients, varicose veins don’t show any symptoms, while others may experience swelling and pain. Here are the most common symptoms of varicose veins. As these occur in the leg or thigh area, you need to be vigilant about these parts of your body if you think you may have varicose veins.

• Prominent blue or dark purple vein in legs or highs
• Visible twists and bulges, resembling cord-like veins
• Skin discoloration (most blue or purple)
• Aching and heavy legs
• Cramping, burning or throbbing sensation in muscles around the legs
• Swelling legs
• Reoccurring pain after standing for a long time
• Legs feeling tender after sitting for a long time
• Itchy veins

These symptoms are serious if they are persistent. You will need to consult your doctor sooner than you think to get proper treatment. Even if your varicose veins don’t hurt, you should get them checked. Prevention is better than cure. Also, many people confuse varicose veins with spider veins; one prominent difference is that spider veins are smaller and they are reddish in color.

What causes varicose veins?

Our veins have one-way valves; these valves keep the blood flow from the back and move it towards the heart. However, when these veins, for one reason or another, are blocked, the blood accumulates and results in varicose veins. Weak and damaged valves are also another reason for the accumulation of blood, resulting in twisted or stretched veins.

What are the potential risk factors of having varicose veins?

• Age:

Age is a huge risk factor. As we get on in years, our valves get weaker and weaker, hence increasing the risks of getting varicose veins. The wear and tear through our active years can take a toll on the body when we reach a certain age.

• Family Medical History:

There are many things we carry in our DNA; varicose is one of them. If you have a family history of varicose veins, then there is a huge chance you might suffer from it too.

• Gender:

There are certain things that affect men more than women, and there are certain things that affect women more than men. In this case, varicose veins affect women more than it does men. Studies show that due to hormonal changes, women are more likely to get affected by it than men. Every woman goes through hormonal changes during pregnancy, pre-menstruation, and menopause. Furthermore, medication for birth control and hormonal issues can also cause varicose veins.

• Pregnancy:

It’s no secret that during pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through a very hard time. There are so many changes within the short nine months that it’s quite overwhelming. The blood flow increases during pregnancy. This means the valves and the veins work extra hard. This is another huge risk of varicose veins.

• Obesity and Routine:

Well, obesity is the root cause of a lot of problems; it’s no wonder that has also been linked to varicose veins. The more weight you put on, the more pressure you put on your legs. This pressure can also weaken and damage the veins and can result in varicose veins. The continuous pressure can turn a minor problem into a very serious one. Apart from obesity, your daily routine also contributes to the occurrence of varicose veins. If you routinely stand and sit in one certain position for a very long time, you will have a higher risk of developing varicose veins.

Complications of developing varicose veins:

Developing varicose veins can cause:

• Ulcers

Ulcers can develop in any part of the body. Having varicose veins increases the chance of getting ulcers around the ankles. The condition can be very painful.

• Blood clotting

Varicose veins can cause thrombophlebitis or blood clotting when they enlarge abnormally. This condition is also very painful and can lead to swelling of the legs and ankles.

• Bleeding

This isn’t very common, but varicose veins can burst. This can cause minor bleeding under the skin, but any such bleeding needs medical attention.

Preventive care:

Prevention is better than cure and rightly so because if you are proactive, you can save your body from the harm and pains caused by varicose veins. Here’s all you can do to keep your veins healthy.

• Daily exercising keeps the blood circulation going, prevents pooling of blood as well
• Watch what you eat. Putting on excess weight is a big NO
• High-fiber and low-salt diet keeps from water retention and obesity
• Avoid wearing high heels as well as tight hosiery. These can cause swelling and unnecessary pressure on your legs that can lead to varicose veins
• Be mindful of your posture while sitting or standing for a long time. Changing position from time to time helps to release pressure in your lower body

Varicose veins may seem harmless, but it can turn into a severe medical condition if ignored and left untreated.