HealthyCanada.com

Varicose veins are veins that have become stretched out with blood. Any vein in your body can become varicose. But most people develop them in their legs and feet.

Varicose veins typically look puffy twisted and dark blue or purple in colour. Most of the time people develop them in their lower legs. But before varicose veins are actually visible there are symptoms that indicate you may be developing them:

• An itchy sensation around one or more of your veins
• Burning throbbing swelling or muscle cramping in your lower legs.
• Brownish-grey colour near your ankle
• Skin ulcers close to your ankle which may also indicate a serious vascular condition

To understand why a vein can become varicose it helps to know how your veins function.

You have arteries and veins throughout your body. With each heartbeat they carry freshly oxygenated blood to your body's tissues. Veins return blood to your heart to be re-circulated. Your veins act as tiny pumps equipped with one-way valves. The veins in your legs and feet have to push blood back up to your heart and the valves close to prevent it from flowing backward.

As you age your veins can lose their elasticity causing them to get wider. When that happens the little valves in your veins aren't as efficient and blood that should only move up towards your heart starts to flow in the opposite direction. As a result blood starts to build up in your veins making them look enlarged. Varicose veins usually appear dark in colour because they contain de-oxygenated blood.

Sometimes pregnancy causes varicose veins. When you're pregnant you have an increased amount of blood in your body. Your growing baby causes a decrease in the volume of blood flow from your legs to your pelvis. As a result the veins in your legs start handling more blood than they're accustomed to and can stretch out. Many women who develop varicose veins while pregnant see marked improvement in their veins after giving birth.

Who Gets Them?

If you're a woman between the ages of 30 and 70 or have a female relative with varicose veins there's a good chance you may develop them too. Women are more likely to develop varicose veins more often than men because of female hormones. Many doctors feel hormonal changes due to pregnancy menstruation birth control pills and menopause could be a factor. Being overweight or standing for long periods of time can also increase your risk of developing varicose veins.

If your varicose veins are causing pain or you've noticed the skin around your varicose veins turning brown you should see your doctor. Quite often brown pigmentation·particularly around the ankles is a sign that an ulcer may be developing.

The good news about varicose veins is that they're relatively easy to treat. Sometimes practicing self-help measures such as losing weight becoming more physically active wearing loose fitting clothes and avoiding standing for long periods can decrease your discomfort and discourage new varicose veins from forming.

Charles is concerned about her varicose veins and plans to have her doctor look at them. "Even though I'm not standing for long periods of time anymore my varicose veins still feel uncomfortable. I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor" says Charles.

If your varicose veins are serious your doctor may suggest the following procedures to treat them.

Vein Stripping: Your doctor will make a small incision and pull out your varicose vein. The removal of your vein won't affect circulation since veins deeper in your leg take over by managing larger volumes of blood. Most people can resume normal daily activities within a couple of weeks.

Sclerotherapy: This procedure doesn't require any anesthesia. Your doctor will inject your varicose veins with a solution that will close them forcing blood to be re-routed to healthier veins. Sometimes more than one injection is needed to effectively close the vein. After a few weeks your varicose veins should fade.

Laser surgeries: In the past laser surgery was used primarily for very small varicose veins and spider veins located in the upper body and the face. Laser surgery has greatly improved in recent years and can be effective in treating varicose veins located in the legs and feet. This procedure doesn't require any needles or incisions. Your doctor will use a laser that sends strong bursts of light onto your varicose vein causing it to fade and eventually disappear.

Catheter-assisted procedures: This is one of the newest methods of treating very large varicose veins. Your doctor will insert a very thin tube (catheter) into your enlarged vein. The tip of the catheter is heated so as it's slowly pulled out of your vein the heat will cause the vein to collapse and seal shut. Blood will then be forced to flow through healthier veins and your varicose vein will fade and eventually disappear.

Unfortunately there is no way to prevent varicose veins. But there are things you can do to help reduce your risk of developing them or preventing new ones from forming. Experts suggest the following tips to help improve your circulation and muscle tone:

Exercise. Getting your legs moving is a great way to encourage blood circulation.

Lose weight. Shedding those unnecessary pounds can take pressure off your veins.

Watch what you wear. Wearing low-heeled shoes will work your calf muscles more which is better for your veins. Don't wear tight socks or anything tight around your groin that can restrict circulation.

Elevate your legs. Elevating your legs above your heart periodically for 10 to 15 minutes during the day can help allow blood to flow up towards your heart.

Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Make a point of changing your position frequently to encourage blood flow.

Don't sit with your legs crossed. This position can aggravate circulatory problems.