Varicose veins are a condition that occurs when the veins are not functioning properly. Many people use varicose veins and spider veins interchangeably, but the two are not the same. Spider veins are usually smaller, flat, and red or purple. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are bulky and tend to dilate.
Causes of varicose veins
Many factors can trigger the disease. These factors include:
Pregnancy: When you are pregnant you tend to gain weight, which puts a lot of pressure on your legs.
Durable: If you stand for a long time, put a lot of pressure on your legs and cause illness.
Obesity: It goes without saying – it increases the weight of your body and therefore the pressure on your legs.
Birth problem: you may have been born with a birth problem that has problems with your heart valves.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms of the disease. These symptoms include: visible deformed veins, swelling, leg pain, and heaviness. In some cases, ulcers, discoloration, and swelling may appear.
How to diagnose the disease
To diagnose the disease, you need to see your doctor. The doctor will examine your legs and veins while standing or sitting. The doctor will also do an ultrasound to check your blood flow. Ultrasound is a non-invasive test that uses high frequency sound waves. With the test, the doctor can see how your blood is flowing through the veins.
To further examine your veins, the doctor may do an angiogram. Here, the doctor injects a dye into your legs and then takes x-rays of the area. When an x-ray is taken, the doctor can see how your blood is flowing.
How to treat the disease
It is very easy to treat the disease. One of the most important things to do is change your lifestyle. For example, you should avoid standing for long periods of time. You should also lose weight, exercise to improve leg strength, and avoid crossing your legs for long periods of time.
It is also advisable to eat well. In general, you need to eat foods that strengthen your veins.
Conclusion
Here is what you need to know about varicose veins: remember that the symptoms get worse over time. Therefore, you should always treat the disease as soon as you see the symptoms.