Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, painful superficial veins resulting from poorly functioning valves. Varicose veins are common. They mostly affect women. Varicose veins are also called varicosity and varicosis. In severe cases, varicose veins can lead to skin changes resulting in eczema, pigmentation, and ulceration or bleeding.
A vein is a blood vessel that carries blood low in oxygen content from the body to the lungs and heart. It is a normal part of the circulatory system. Veins can become buldge with pools of blood when they fail to circulate the blood properly. These visible and bulging veins, called varicose veins, are often associated with symptoms such as tired, heavy, or aching limbs. In severe cases, varicose veins can rupture, or open sores (called "ulcers") can form on the skin. Varicose veins are most common in the legs and thighs.
Varicose veins are abnormally swollen (dilated) and tortous (twisted) veins. Varicose veins are usually situated quite near the surface and are often visible beneath the skin. Varicose veins can vary in size from quite small (2-3mm across) to very large (2-3cms across). Very small veins are called "thread veins" or "spider veins". These veins are different to varicose veins because they are situated within the layers of the skin itself. Although they may be unsightly, they are not the same as varicose veins and can be more difficult to treat.
They begin as tiny capillaries and appear as blue or red squiggles. They are small red, blue or purple veins that commonly appear on the surface of the thighs, calves and ankles. It's estimated that at least one third of the adult female population is troubled with this common problem. People often seek treatment for spider veins because of cosmetic concern. However, it is also common for spider veins to cause symptoms, such as aching, heaviness, itching and night cramps.
The reason varicose veins develop is not fully understood. One of the basic problems is damage to the valves. This means that blood can't travel up the veins as easily, and is more likely to pool. It is possible that people inherit a tendency for weak valves. Alternatively, the vein walls may become weak, which causes bulging of the vein and so damage to the valves. There is a greater risk of getting varicose veins during pregnancy, and if you are very overweight because this increases the pressure in your abdomen and so in your veins.
The word “varicose” refers to a vein that is unnaturally and permanently distended. Vein walls or vein valves near the skin can become damaged from natural stretching or weakening because of the pressure of the blood flowing through the veins. Varicose veins often appear through the skin on a person’s legs as blue, bulging and twisted veins; in some cases the veins may be raised or stand out on the surface of the skin.
The first sign of varicose veins is a swelling along the course of the veins. This may be followed by muscular cramps and a feeling of tiredness in the legs behind the knees. In some cases, the normal flow of blood towards the heart may be reversed when the patient is in an upright position. This results in veinous blood collecting in the lower part of the legs; the skin becomes purplish and pigmented, leading to what is known as varicose eczema or varicose ulcers. Both these conditions cause severe pain.
Read About
Latest MP3 Player Reviews Also read about
Latest Mobile Phone Reviews and
Auto Finance, Home Finance
