Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are elongated, bulged and twisted veins below the skin on your legs that looks darkish blue colour. Varicose veins can initially be asymptomatic, but can be due to a much more bigger problem called ” Venous Insufficiency “.
There are a variety of things that could cause varicose veins, and we’ve listed some of the most common causes below:
- Your family has a history of varicose veins
- The natural ageing process weakens the veins and causes a loss of elasticity
- Your occupation requires that you stand for extended periods of time
- Obesity puts additional pressure on the legs and circulatory system
- Pregnancy increases blood volume, reduces blood flow from the legs, and add physical strain to the body
- Hormonal changes such as menopause
What Are The Risk Factors For Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are a common vascular condition with several risk factors, such as:
- hereditary varicose vein issues shared amongst family members
- increased vein pressure due to obesity or being overweight
- inactive legs
- pregnancy
- smoking cigarettes
Varicose veins can increase the risk of developing a clot : DVT ( Deep vein thrombosis) and SVT ( Superficial vein thrombosis ).
Severe varicose veins have an increased risk of causing bleeding at the site of superficial veins.
How Are Varicose Veins Diagnosed?
Your vein doctor can diagnose varicose veins during a full health assessment and medical history.
A vascular ultrasound, known as Duplex ultrasound, is used to monitor veins in the legs to detect varicose veins. This type of ultrasound consists of two kinds – it uses both sound waves and Doppler technology, allowing for more detailed imaging of valves and other structures within the varicose vein.
Additionally, this approach enables clinicians to gather important data about varicose veins, such as their size and direction of blood flow.
With such in-depth information, treatment options can be better planned out for varicose veins.