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What is Varicose Vein?
Varicose vein is a condition when the veins appear swollen, twisted, and knotted in the legs. It is a common condition affects about 20-25% of men and about 25-30% of women in the population. Varicose veins usually appear on the legs, but can also form in other locations.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
The main cause of varicose veins is due to malfunctioning or weak vein valves. Venous blood flow is supposed to move up the leg, but when the valves are weak or not functioning properly, the blood is able to flow back down the vein, enlarging and twisting it in the process. This is how varicose veins are formed.
Who Is At Risk of Varicose Veins?
The risk for developing varicose veins increases with age and it is more common in:
- Women
- People who are overweight
- People with a sedentary lifestyle
- Pregnant women
- Those with a family history of varicose veins
How to Treat Varicose Veins?
There are a variety of treatments available for varicose veins including:
- Compression stockings: These special elastic garments can help reduce swelling and discomfort associated with varicose veins.
- Minimally invasive procedures: These minimally invasive procedures, such as sclerotherapy, laser ablation, or endovenous thermal ablation, can close off the damaged vein and prevent blood from flowing through it.
- Surgery: Traditional varicose vein surgery is rarely used anymore. Instead, newer techniques such as laser vein surgery, radiofrequency ablation, and venaseal are used since they are less invasive and have fewer side effects.
Varicose veins can be a serious health issue and should not be ignored. It is important to speak to your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms of varicose veins. With treatment, varicose veins can be reduced and the risk for further complications can be decreased.
Keywords: varicose veins, risk factors, causes, treatment, compression stockings, minimally invasive procedures, surgery, laser vein surgery, radiofrequency ablation, venaseal.
