Varicose vein: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Varicose veins are enlarged, tortuous veins seen within the legs and feet. They also occur as small spider veins or may become extremely enlarged. It's expected that just about 40% of individuals above the age of fifty years may have some sort of varicose veins. In the majority of patients, these veins cause no discomfort or pain, although they're potentially harmful.


Symptoms and causes

 Varicose vein is occurring when the veins stretch and when the valves in your veins become weak, though it is not clearly understood the real cause other than this.

The number of things report for the chances of having varicose veins that includes:

  • Gender: Women are more prone to be affected than men.
  • Hereditary: Having a family member with the same vein problem
  • Age: Old Age is also the reason
  • Occupation: Having a job which requires long hours of standing work
  • Pregnancy
  • And other conditions

SYMPTOMS

  • Swollen, bulging veins
  • Leg Cramps
  • Aching
  • Swelling
  • Fatigue
  • Skin over the affected area is seen to be re, dry and itchy
  • Dull ache or sharp shooting pain at night

TREATMENT

There are different treatments available depending upon the symptoms, size and severity of pain due to varicose. Here are some treatment options:

Keeping your leg elevated while sleeping or sitting

Compression dressing

Compression stockings, to be wore first thing in the morning before getting up from the bed

Sclerotherapy, in this a medicine is injected in the vessels that cause them to shrink. This procedure requires only an injection and is non surgical.

Laser treatment in which there is destruction of abnormal veins.

Removal of varicose veins, it is a surgical procedure.

How Physiotherapy can help you for varicose vein?

Varicose veins are mainly caused by inactivity in the legs over a long time. Although there is no way by which it can be completely prevented but low impact activities can help to relieve symptoms.

Exercise

Exercise increases body’s capacity to pump the blood up the leg back to the heart. Exercising can helps in decreasing the chances of getting varicose veins.

Stretching

To target your calf muscles place one leg behind other and press lunge into the wall. Keep your back and leg straight, hold for 30 seconds and repeat 5 times. Switch legs and repeat.



Leg lifts

Lie on your back. Move your feet straight out, hold it in the air for at least 5 to 10 seconds. Slowly lower it down. Repeat for 5 times.


Bicycle Legs

Riding a stationary bicycle is helpful. If you don’t have a stationary bicycle you can still perform it by Lying on your back, put your legs in the air by bending them at the knee and pedal as if you are bicycling.


Lunges

Stand with the legs apart, move your one leg forward to slowly bend your knee keeping it above your ankle. Holding this position for few seconds and slowly straighten your leg and come back to original position. Repeat the same on other leg.




Walking

Walk at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days/week can give in excellent benefits.

Ankle Toe Movement

Moving your ankle forward and back increases calf pump function.




Double leg calf raise

Stand with legs shoulder width apart. Raise your heel off the floor repeat 10 times and rest for 10 seconds and repeat 2 more times.



 

Compression stockings are very helpful in varicose veins as it relieves the pain. They improve circulation. Wear your stockings during the day (first thing in the morning) and take them off before going to bed at night.


“Push yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.”

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