Varicose veins affect about 50% -55% of American women and 40% -45% of American men, and 1 in 2 people over the age of 50 would have some form of varicose veins. This article contains free information on the causes of varicose veins, the different options for treating varicose veins and the average prices of these treatments.
Most people with varicose veins seek treatment for cosmetic reasons, but varicose veins are often more than just a cosmetic problem. Varicose veins are sometimes very painful and itchy, which sometimes leads to ulcers in the most extreme cases. In general, most people only use varicose veins on their legs, but in fact, they can appear anywhere on the body. Spider veins are enlarged veins that can no longer prevent backflow of blood. They can have different colors under the skin, like B. blue, purple or pink. Sometimes they are not chronic, but are associated with pregnancy in women if spider veins form in the birth area.
Causes varicose veins
Many factors can cause varicose veins. Gravity combined with the pressure of body weight can lead to varicose veins. The legs are usually the most common area for the veins because they carry most of the body weight and the heart still needs to pump blood from the upper part of the body to the lower parts.
The veins are equipped with a kind of “valve” in which the blood can only move in one direction. Conversely, if these valves become weak, blood can flow back into these valve veins, causing the vein to swell.
Symptoms and stages
Stage C0 – No sign of the disease is visible at this stage. Symptoms at this stage include general leg pain and a condition called “heavy legs” which can be significantly worse at night or exacerbated by exercise.
Stage C1 – Pain in the legs and first appearance of telangiectasias, sometimes called reticular veins or spider veins, in the legs.
Stage C2 – varicose veins occur, swelling of the ankles, discoloration of the shiny blue-brown skin near the affected veins.
The C3 stage – edema, redness, dryness and itching of the skin – is called congestion dermatitis or venous eczema because waste builds up in the leg.
Stage C4a – cramps can develop especially when you get up suddenly. Skin changes due to venous diseases: pigmentation, eczema.
C4b stage cramps, skin changes due to venous diseases: lipodermatosclerosis, white atrophy.
Stage C5 – The area may bleed more than normal and may take longer to heal. In some people, the ankle skin may shrink (lipodermatosclerosis) because the fat under the skin becomes hard. Like C4, but with healed ulcers.
Stage C6 – restless leg syndrome, chronic venous insufficiency, whitish and irregular patches that look like scars may appear on the ankles, also called white atrophy. Skin changes in active ulcers.
Non-invasive treatments
There are several conservative methods for the treatment of varicose veins. One of the first options that a doctor will have is treatment with prescription drugs. Some over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, may even help with treatment.
Some other strategies that do not involve surgery include compression stockings which can correct back pressure in the bloodstream. Some studies have also shown that weight loss and increased muscle tone help. Compression socks can be purchased for $ 30 to $ 50 per pair and generally last between 6 months and a year. Obviously, the cost of this type of treatment is lower since no surgery is required.
Non-surgical treatment
If some of the more conservative methods are not effective, medical providers move on to other options. Before entering varicose vein surgery directly, a patient may have several other options. In general, these treatments are carried out either by a plastic surgeon, or by a doctor specializing in venous care, a so-called philologist.