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What are Arteries and Veins?

Arteries and veins are tubes that carry blood around the body. Arteries and veins are also called “blood vessels” – as these are vessels which carry blood. Arteries carry blood “away” from the heart and veins carry blood “towards” the heart.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are veins under the skin of the legs that have become widened, bulging and tortuous. They are very common and do not cause medical problems in most people.

What causes varicose veins?

Blood flows down the legs through the arteries and back up the leg trough the veins. There are two main systems of veins in the legs - the deep veins which carry most of the blood back up the legs to the heart, and the veins under the skin, which are less important and which can form varicose veins. All of these veins contain valves, which should only allow the blood to flow upwards. If the veins become widened and varicose these valves no longer work properly. Blood can then flow backwards down the veins and this can produce a head of pressure when standing, walking about, or sitting. Lying down or "putting your feet up" relieves the pressure and usually makes the legs feel better. Both symptoms and treatment depend on how badly the valves in the veins are working - although the trouble people get from their varicose veins is very variable.

Who can get varicose veins?

Varicose veins often appear first in pregnancy, when hormones relax the walls of the veins and when the womb presses on the veins coming up from the legs.

People who are overweight are more likely to get varicose veins and to find symptoms from them troublesome.

There is some tendency for varicose veins to run in families, but this is by no means always the case.

Usually there is no special cause for varicose veins.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

Many people have no symptoms at all, except for the fact that the veins are noticeable, and they may cause embarrassment. Other than cosmetic problems the commonest symptoms from varicose veins are:

·Aching

·Discomfort

·Heaviness of the legs - which is usually worse at the end of the day

  Sometimes the ankle can swell.

These symptoms are not medically serious but can be treated if they are sufficiently troublesome.

Although varicose veins can get worse over the years, this often happens very slowly. Patients worry that they might get worse, which in itself is not a good reason for treatment, if the veins are not causing symptoms.

In a few people the high pressure in the veins causes damage to the skin near the ankle - which can become brown in colour, sometimes with scarred white areas. Eczema (a red skin rash) can develop. If these changes progress or if the skin is injured an ulcer may result. Skin changes are therefore a good reason to visit your doctor.

Other problems which varicose veins can occasionally produce are phlebitis and bleeding. Phlebitis (sometimes called "thrombophlebitis") means inflammation of the veins and is often accompanied by some clotting of the blood ("thrombosis") in the affected veins, which become hard and tender. This is NOT the same as deep vein thrombosis and is not usually dangerous. The risk of bleeding as a result of knocking varicose vein worries many people but this is very rare. It usually stops with firm pressure and treatment will remove the risk of further bleeding.

What treatments are available for varicose veins?

1.Conservative Treatment

This consists of advice to you about lifestyle, exercise, leg elevation, and the use of compression hosiery.

2. Injection Sclerotherapy

This treatment is given in the outpatient clinic and involves the injection of a chemical into the varicose veins, which cause them to seal off. Sometimes two or three visits to the clinic are necessary to get rid of all the noticeable veins. Time off work is not usually necessary after the treatment.

3. Surgical Treatment

This involves a general anaesthetic and a number of incisions on your legs. This is sometimes done as a day case and occasionally as an inpatient. Surgery generally gives good long-term results, although some patients do develop further varicose veins over the years.

Read about Surgery for Varicose Veins and Endo Venous laser Therapy (EVLT)