Understanding Varicose Veins: Causes, Effects, and Management Options
As the human ages, various changes naturally occur. It is common for patients to notice swollen, twisted veins under the skin, commonly known as varicose veins.i While these veins are often found on the legs and are typically not a serious health concern, understanding how to manage and treat them when necessary is important for maintaining long-term health and quality of life.
Primary Cause and Risk Factors
Leg veins, such as the great saphenous vein, contain one-way valves that help circulate blood back to the heart. When these valves are defective or incompetent, blood may flow backward, creating a reverse pressure gradient. This can result in blood pooling in the vein, stretching the vessel, and pushing it closer to the skin’s surface. Subcutaneous, dilated, and twisted veins that measure 3mm or more in diameter are classified as varicose veins.ii
Varicose veins are a common indicator of venous disease, affecting up to 25% of the adult population,iii with a higher prevalence observed in women than in men. Pregnancy is a significant risk factor for women.ii
Additional risk factors for varicose veins may include age, as veins can weaken over time, and family history. Lifestyle, diet, weight, and occupations involving prolonged standing, such as nursing or security work, or extended sitting, like office or reception work, may also contribute to increased risk.i
Recognising Symptoms and Potential Complications
Symptoms of varicose veins include:
- Pain, aching or a feeling of heaviness
- Changes in skin colour
- Itchy, flaky, dry skin known as varicose eczema
- Swollen ankles or legs
- Bleeding
Other complications can sometimes arise from varicose veins, including venous ulcers and thrombophlebitis. Venous ulcers may develop when fluid buildup in untreated varicose veins increases pressure. These ulcers are often challenging to heal and may affect overall health.v Additionally, blood clots that form deeper in the leg veins can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT),ii a condition that typically requires urgent medical evaluation and care to address potential complications.
Effective Strategies for Treatment and Management
Patients with varicose veins are encouraged to rest their legs in an elevated position whenever possible. Those at risk should stand or take short walks periodically to help reduce vein pressure. Regular exercise plays a vital role in promoting overall circulation and managing weight, which can reduce strain on the veins. While exercise cannot cure varicose veins, it may help improve symptoms and lower the likelihood of developing additional varicose veins. Beneficial activities can include walking, climbing stairs, calf raises, toe flexes, stretching, and yoga.
Wearing compression stockings throughout the day is often suggested to support blood flow. These stockings may help alleviate some symptoms, with a gradient of 20-30 mmHg generally recommended for mild to moderate cases.iv Selecting the correct size is essential to prevent restricting circulation and promote comfort.
For patients seeking more comprehensive treatment, there are several options available. For small varicose veins and spider veins, injection sclerotherapy is a nonsurgical procedure commonly used to target vein size and seal them. Veins treated with this approach may fade over time, typically within a few weeks to months. Radiofrequency and laser ablation are additional treatment options for smaller veins, often associated with minimal recovery time and sometimes performed alongside sclerotherapy. For larger, more tortuous varicose veins, procedures such as ligation or surgical removal might be explored in consultation with a healthcare professional.
While there is no definitive cure for varicose veins, and recurrences are common even after treatment,iv effective management is key. Getz Healthcare offers a range of solutions, including compression stockings and advanced therapies such as electrostimulation, intended to support healthy blood flow from the legs back to the heart. With Getz Healthcare’s trusted products and support, you can confidently navigate the challenges of managing varicose veins.
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i NHS Choices (2019). Varicose Veins. [online] NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/varicose-veins/.
ii Healthdirect.gov.au. (2019). Varicose veins. [online] Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/varicose-veins.
iii Healthline. (n.d.). Varicose Veins: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/varicose-veins#causes.
iv Antani, M.R. and Dattilo, J.B. (2020). Varicose Veins. [online] PubMed. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470194/.
v Medline plus (2018). Venous ulcers - self-care: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000744.htm.