Varicose veins are dilation or swelling of the veins due to the accumulation of blood in these vessels. This condition causes the veins to appear purplish or dark blue in color and appear prominent.
Varicose veins can occur in any vein in the body. However, this condition most often occurs in the leg area, especially the calf, due to pressure when standing or walking. Varicose veins can also appear in the hands, flanks, anus (hemorrhoids), testicles, stomach, liver, or esophagus (esophageal varices).
Varicose veins are more common in women than men. This condition is also more at risk for people who are overweight, or people whose jobs require them to stand or sit for a long time.
Causes and Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins occur due to weak or damaged venous valves. This condition causes blood that should go to the heart to reverse direction and accumulate in the veins. This buildup then causes the veins to widen and causes symptoms of varicose veins.
The veins that are commonly affected by varicose veins will appear swollen or prominent on the surface of the skin. If left unchecked, varicose veins can cause pain or muscle cramps. These symptoms often get worse if the patient stands too long.
Well, this is what will make the veins enlarge and cause varicose veins. Several things can cause varicose veins, namely:
- Reduced elasticity of the walls of the veins.
The cause of varicose veins is reduced elasticity of the walls of the veins. This causes the veins to weaken so that they are unable to drain blood to the heart, as they should.
The flow of blood from the feet to the heart is against the gravity of the earth. Therefore blood vessels must be strong, as well as the dynamics of the surrounding muscles. Damage to blood vessel valves can make blood pool and cause clots to form that interfere with blood flow.
- Hereditary factor .
Heredity or genetic predisposition has a high contribution to the cause of varicose veins, especially weak vein walls and venous valves. This condition can cause problems with blood vessels, including varicose veins. If there are family members who have a history of varicose veins, then you are more likely to experience this.
- Pregnancy.
The most common cause of varicose veins in women occurs during the pregnancy period. The growing uterus will increase blood volume and put pressure on the veins in the leg area.
The appearance of varicose veins during pregnancy is caused by pregnancy hormones. Apart from appearing on the legs, varicose veins also appear in the vagina, as well as around the buttocks and anus. This condition will generally improve after delivery. To minimize swelling in the veins, you should start limiting salt (sodium) intake during pregnancy.
- Less motion.
Lack of movement, sitting for too long and lack of movement of the leg muscles can cause the veins to not work optimally. If you don't move enough, it can cause blood to pool in your legs, causing varicose veins. In more serious cases, varicose veins trigger blood clots.
- Too much standing.
The habit of standing for too long is also a common cause of varicose veins. When a person stands too much, the blood in the leg veins has difficulty flowing to the heart. Blood that doesn't flow properly is caused by you being in the same position for too long.
- Often lap the feet.
If you have a habit of often lapsing your feet, you should avoid it immediately. Because, this habit that is often done is the cause of varicose veins. Because, sitting like that, will inhibit the blood to be brought to the heart. As a result, the veins become compressed so that blood accumulates around the veins.
- Habit of wearing high heels.
The next cause of varicose veins is the habit of wearing high heels. This makes the feet support the weight of the body on the heels.
When this happens, the movement of the heel muscles becomes passive which will affect the performance of the veins. As a result of the use of high heels, the veins will malfunction.
Blood that should flow up towards the heart actually returns downwards so that the veins dilate and the blood hardens in the veins which triggers the appearance of lumps.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Then, what are the characteristics of varicose veins and symptoms that might be experienced? Come on, consider the following symptoms:
- Feet and legs feel heavy, followed by muscles that are easily sore and stiff.
- If on the legs you can see fine veins poking around the back of the calf
- Blood circulation becomes not smooth, because it is hampered around the calves and legs when holding the body's weight.
- Apart from the legs, it has recently been discovered that varicose veins can occur in the arms.
- At night the feet hurt
- It's easy to cramp even when your feet are relaxed
- Veins that are dark purple or blue in color
- Veins that appear twisted and bulge, often appearing like ropes in the legs
- Pain that gets worse after sitting or standing for a long time
- Itching around one or more blood vessels
- Changes in skin color around varicose veins
- Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but smaller in size. Spider veins are found closer to the surface of the skin and are often red or blue.
Varicose Veins Treatment and Prevention
Treatment of varicose veins is adjusted to the condition of each patient. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, prevent varicose veins from getting worse, and avoid complications in the form of wounds or bleeding.
Varicose veins can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and maintaining an ideal body weight. In addition, avoid the habit of sitting or standing for too long.
Article written by dr. Marolop Pardede, Sp.BTKV(K), MH (Specialist in Thoracic, Cardiac and Vascular Surgery at EMC Cikarang & Pekayon Hospital).