Fitness Club

A Varicose vein (which a vein that has become enlarged or swollen) usually presents as blue or dark purple in color, often have lumps, bulge and give the appearance of being twisted.

Varicose veins mainly develop in the lower limbs with the calve being the area most affected. This is because of the extra pressure that is exerted on the lower area of the body due to walking and standing. However, it is possible for any vein in the body to become varicose.

All veins have small one-way valves inside them which constantly open and close ensuring that the deoxygenated blood flows back to the heart. In the case of varicose veins the valves have become damaged and weak and this means that the blood can regurgitate – effectively flowing backwards. The blood becomes stale and collects in the vein which in turn results in the vein swelling.

Varicose veins are a fairly common complaint with women being far more affected than men.

While the appearance of varicose veins can be visually unpleasant it is unusual for them to cause other health issues. The blood circulation is not affected and for the majority of people no treatment is required. As a varicose vein is swollen it does sometimes cause discomfort and pain but it is unusual for other complications to occur. There may be some skin coloration changes and in some rare cases leg ulcers and it is in these cases that some form of treatment may be advisable.

The most common types of varicose are:

Trunk varicose veins – These are the type that mainly appear in the lower limbs and are close to the skins surface presenting as thick with bulges and may appear unpleasant visually and go the length of a person’s leg.

Telangiectasia varicose veins – these are small areas of blue or red veins, grouped together and mainly appear on the facial area but can appear elsewhere. They cause no health issues and do not swell. They are sometimes associated with excess consumption of alcohol.

Reticular varicose veins – these are similar to the telangiectasia type and appear red and form closely together.

Symptoms, Staging and Complications of Untreated Varicose Veins

As mentioned earlier a varicose vein can occur due to the one way valves becoming damaged and weak allowing the blood to regurgitate – effectively flowing backwards. The most common area of the leg affected is the calve due to the pressure required to pump the venous blood back to the heart.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins

The initial symptoms are slightly raised veins with small areas of the veins showing signs of enlargement. The veins are blue (sometimes a dark purple).

Over a period of time and depending on the severity others symptoms may occur. Some people suffer muscle cramps (usually at night) while during the day the legs can ache and feel heavy. In some instances the legs will throb or have a burning sensation, feet and ankles may swell especially later in the day. The skin over the varicose vein can become dryer than elsewhere and may itch. The skin may also become thinner resulting in bleeding from even the smallest knock.

It is usual for the symptoms to be more prevalent during warm weather. Standing for long periods can also exacerbate the symptoms.

The most common place for varicose veins to develop but other areas can also be affected.

About the author of this article:

Find the right doctor for Varicose Veins Treatments. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results. Other information Check out Vascular Doctors

Related posts:

Information on Vein Treatments in Houston If you are interested in getting vein treatments in Houston, you may want to look into Ambulatory Phlebectomy (AB). This is a way that you can have your unwanted varicose veins removed. It is done through tiny incisions in your skin. Even though this procedure can be used for all types of varicose veins, it [...]...Restless Legs Syndrome 101 Restless legs syndrome, known as RLS, is a sleep disorder that afflicts more than 15 percent of adults. It affects more women than men and the incidence of restless legs syndrome increases with age. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis and varicose veins, also increase the risk of developing restless legs syndrome. This sleep [...]...How Laser Skin Treatment Help There is now a way to reclaim attractiveness. Fairly new, laser skin treatment provides relief for the top layer of the dermis. People obtain this unique method for removing birth marks, freckles, tattoos, vein issues, acne damage and wrinkles. It is not at all harsh. When it come to defying the aging process, this is [...]...Traditional Hemorrhoid Surgery For Everyone Most people with hemorrhoids are not in danger of complications. Treatment focuses on relieving hemorrhoid symptoms and decreasing pressure on them so that they can resolve themselves. There are, however, a few cases when hemorrhoid surgery may be required. Hemorrhoids that bleed chronically, prolapsed hemorrhoids, thrombosed hemorrhoids, and ones that are very painful are cases [...]...Dealing With the Condition of Anhidrosis When you go to the gym, you may have jealous thoughts pass through your head about how some women do not seem to sweat very much when they exercise. While this may seem like a desirable beauty trait, it may actually be a problem. Your body needs to sweat in order to cool off your [...]...Keeping Your Metal Shed in Good Condition There are a lot of people that have a hard time understanding how to take care of their metal shed. There are a lot of people that do not understand how to make sure that their metal shed is going to last for a long time. First, you want to make sure that you are [...]...Avoiding the Conflict of the Thermostat One of the biggest battles all over the world, or at least in those parts of the world that have heating in homes during the winter, is that of the thermostat. It is very important to stay warm during the winter. In some cases, the ability to stay warm could mean life or death. However, [...]...Tips To Get Migraine Relief It is estimated that 25% of women, and 8% of men, will get a migraine headache in their lifetime. It therefore stands to reason, that migraine headache relief is foremost for many persons. Migraine headaches are a serious problem not only in the United States, where over 29 million people are affected, but throughout the [...]...The Condition Of Pharmacist Jobs Today When people are sick they often require medicine and they often want it now. Pharmacist Jobs are some of the most important in the world in that persons in this field must possess much knowledge not only of individual medications, but of the interaction of various medicines as well. For those who are considering a [...]...Some Incredible Issues That Involve Plastic Surgery It would be very unusual to come across an individual who was completely satisfied with the way they looked. Most people have at least one area of their body that they dislike but only some of those people are brave enough to take the leap to looking into plastic surgery. They are procedures that people [...]...