Varicose veins are enlarged and twisted blood vessels, often in the legs. They appear red or blue and can be painful or itchy. If you have Sebring varicose veins, you must monitor your conditions as they can get worse over time. There are steps you can take to alleviate pain and prevent more severe issues. If self-care is not enough to relieve your condition, you can turn to a vein specialist for help.
Causes of Varicose Veins
You can develop varicose veins when small blood vessel valves malfunction. The veins are meant to be blood carriers, working from your foot to your legs and then back to your heart. If such valves fail to close tightly, there will be sluggish blood flow. And when blood collects in your veins, you can have swollen veins.
A lot of people have varicose veins, particularly women, as they get older. But varicose veins for the majority of people are not serious, although they cause swelling, pain, blood clots, and skin issues. Risk factors include sitting or standing for a long time, history of leg blood clots, pregnancy, obesity, and family history.
How to Know You Have Varicose Veins?
If you have varicose veins, you will have enlarged, twisted, or swollen veins in your legs. These veins may look blue or red. Other symptoms include heaviness, aching, pain, or itching in the legs, restless legs syndrome, thigh or calk cramps, and swollen feet or ankles. Some of those who have varicose veins may suffer from deep vein thrombosis, which happens due to blood clot formation in the legs’ blood vessels.
How to Diagnose Varicose Veins
Often, varicose veins are diagnosed with a physical examination. Your vein doctor will examine your legs, paying attention to visible veins, swelling, sores, or skin color changes. They will ask you about your lifestyle, including activities that require you to sit or stand for a long time.
If you display serious symptoms or are thinking about surgery, your doctor may carry out venous duplex ultrasound. Such test lets them check your veins’ blood flow and find blood clots that form in your legs.
Treatment for Varicose Veins
In a lot of cases, home treatment can minimize discomfort due to varicose veins and prevent them from getting worse. Your doctor may recommend not standing or sitting for a long time, not crossing your legs, evaluating your feet, increasing activity, treating leg wounds, wearing compression stockings, and maintaining a healthy weight. Sometimes, varicose veins may need to be treated surgically. Procedures include endovenous radiofrequency ablation, phlebectomy, nonthermal ablation, sclerotherapy, vein stripping,
