Varicose veins treatment is usually cosmetic

Varicose veins are more common among women that men said Dr C Chandra Shekar, senior consultant, peripheral vascular surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills at the Indira Priyadarshani Auditorium, Public Gardens, on Sunday.

“Varicose veins are little purple veins that appear on the legs above the age of forty. Varicose veins are enlarged, bulging superficial veins that can be felt beneath the skin, generally larger than 3mm in diameter. They are usually located in the inside the calf or thighs and develop due to weakness of the vein valve and loss of valve function. Under the pressure of gravity, they continue to enlarge, and in the course of time, they may become elongated, twisted, pouched and thickened,” said Dr Chandra Shekar.

“Varicose veins may be entirely symptom-free and cause no health problems. Treatment in such cases is often for cosmetic purposes. When symptomatic, varicose veins may cause ankle and leg swelling causing tension, aching, restlessness, cramps and itching. Varicose veins are more common among women than men. Signs of chronic venous disease include skin pigmentation and loss of the soft texture of the skin and underlying tissue in the ankle area (called induration). Itching is perhaps the most consistent symptom of varicose vein, along with complaints of leg heaviness, tension and aching legs,” explained the doctor.

“The causes of varicose veins may be primary, secondary or congenital. Primary varicose veins develop as a result of an inherent weakness in the wall of the vein. Varicose veins can have a hereditary factor and often occur in several members of the same family. Varicose veins that develop after trauma or deep vein thrombosis are of secondary cause. Congenital varicose veins are due to disorders in the natural development of the venous system and are usually part of a vascular malformation in the limb, present at birth. No matter the cause, defective venous valves may cause venous blood to stagnate in the leg, leading to increased pressure in the veins. This may result in further enlargement of the varicose veins, increasing the likelihood of symptoms and causing complications such as skin changes and ulcer formation. Blocking of the pelvic veins may severely aggravate the effects of varicose veins, requiring a separate treatment,” he said.