One of the nightmares, especially for women, due to aesthetics as well as the discomfort and pain in some cases, varicose veins can occur in both men and women of all ages, ethnicities, and financial backgrounds. Most people focus on the appearance, which is not pleasant, and the tiredness in the legs, but are unaware of the causes and risks of varicose veins. That’s why we will clarify the types of varicose veins, main causes, symptoms, and recommended treatments to solve them.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are veins that have become dilated and deformed, taking on a different, bluish appearance. They can occur in any vein in the body, but are most common in the legs and feet, causing sensitivity, pain and swelling in the area. They are more likely to occur in people who spend long periods standing or sitting in the same position. The veins in the legs are responsible for returning blood circulation to the heart after irrigating the lower limbs. They function almost like a valve, which prevents blood from flowing back into the feet, even due to gravity. But sometimes this functionality does not work as it should, causing “pooling” of blood in some veins, leading to deformities, skin changes, and significant swelling.

IMPORTANT: Varicose veins tend to worsen symptoms and discomfort during the menstrual period and pregnancy, due to increased pressure in blood circulation.

The occurrence of varicose veins can have variations, which are called spider veins. The appearance of spider veins is considered a mild variation of varicose veins, but they serve as a warning sign to stay alert and follow medical instructions on how to ease them before they get worse.

Main Causes of Varicose Veins

As we already mentioned, varicose veins are veins that undergo a process of dilation and usually occur close to the surface of the skin, which is why they are so visible. But among the factors and main causes for the appearance of varicose veins is genetic influence. Due to genetic inheritance and family predisposition, some people may have more fragile and sensitive veins, which, over the years and with advancing age, are more likely to develop varicose veins.In rarer cases, varicose veins may be a strong sign of more serious problems and diseases that require specific medical treatment. Among them:

  • Blockage of veins;
  • Blood clots;
  • Changes in blood vessels (arteriovenous fistulas);
  • Signs of tumors.

In addition to the main causes, there are risk groups with a greater chance of developing varicose veins and suffering all the associated discomforts. These include:

If you are part of a risk group and have a family history of varicose veins, pay attention to any signs and if you have questions or suspicion, seek a doctor immediately for assessment and, if necessary, more specific diagnostic tests.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins

It is not very difficult to notice the presence of varicose veins, as the symptoms are quite clear. In addition to the bluish, dilated veins beneath a thin layer of skin, which are clearly visible to the naked eye, they may be accompanied by other symptoms such as:

  • Leg pain;
  • Sensation of heaviness in the legs;
  • Burning sensation in the area;
  • Swelling, usually in the feet and ankles;
  • Intense itching over the area of the dilated varicose veins.

These are considered normal and non-concerning symptoms, but some signs may indicate a worsening of the condition, posing a more serious risk to the patient. Be alert if you experience:

  • Swelling and severe pain in the calf after sitting or standing for a long time;
  • Fluid buildup in the legs, causing major swelling;
  • Dry skin due to swelling and excessive stretching;
  • Color changes in the skin around the legs and ankles;

All these changes and aggravations of varicose veins may intensify during the menstrual period or pregnancy. Therefore, if you are in a risk group or have already been suffering from the appearance of varicose veins, talk to your doctor to follow the best treatment and monitoring, thus preventing more serious health issues as well as improving patient comfort.Taking advantage of this space, we want to share some news with our readers. Famivita, in partnership with Trocando Fraldas, has developed a line of products specialized for men’s and women’s health and fertility, including fertility vitamins, ovulation and pregnancy tests, and the popular fertility-friendly lubricant gel FamiGel that acts like fertile cervical mucus. You can purchase all these products and your own lubricant gel here in our online store.Some care tips are recommended to relieve the discomfort and pain caused by varicose veins. Physical exercise, in addition to improving overall health and body strength, also helps improve blood circulation. Wearing compression stockings and elevating your legs throughout the day helps ease varicose veins pain and also prevents the condition from worsening.The doctors you should see for varicose veins monitoring are: vascular surgeon and angiologist. A clinical evaluation and study of the possible causes will be performed. Therefore, it is important to answer all questions, such as how long the varicose veins have been present, if you feel pain, if something makes the discomfort worse, or if you have a family history of varicose veins and cardiovascular diseases.Diagnosis of varicose veins is made through examination of the skin and appearance of veins, with assessment of the legs and feet, as well as other potentially affected areas. The doctor will look for possible swelling, skin discoloration, breaks in the skin, ulcers, or any abnormal changes. You may be asked to move in the office and do different movements to observe blood flow.After the assessment, if varicose veins are suspected, further tests may be recommended to confirm diagnosis and assess severity. It is usually recommended to have a color Doppler ultrasound of the lower limbs, enabling the assessment of all local blood circulation in real time.After all recommended precautions, if there is no improvement, specific treatments may be indicated, such as sclerotherapy, a non-surgical procedure to treat varicose veins. By injecting a substance into the affected area, a scar forms in the vein, resolving blood circulation issues in the varicose vein.Or surgical intervention, which is tailored individually for each patient. Options include laser surgery, conventional surgery, foam sclerotherapy guided by ultrasound, radiofrequency, or a mini-surgery with local anesthesia. The recommended procedure will depend on the severity of the varicose veins and the best treatment indicated by the attending physician. The sooner you are diagnosed and begin treatment, the simpler the treatment process is.

Complications of Varicose Veins

If prevention is not carried out and treatment is not done in time, varicose veins can bring serious complications to the patient’s life. Some complications are: ulcers, bleeding, extremely dry skin due to swelling and constant stretching, and excessive itching. Thinner and more fragile skin than normal, which can be hurt more easily, skin discoloration around the varicose veins, and risks of bacterial and fungal infections due to fluid accumulation in the skin. The most concerning complication is blood clots, which can lead to development of deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to a pulmonary embolism and even death.Foto: sw_reg_03