What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are bulging, swollen veins on the legs and feet that appear bluish. Although they are a common condition, varicose vein sufferers usually experience symptoms such as:
- Aching, throbbing, and swollen ankles
- Itching
- Pain
- Heaviness
- Fatigue
- Restless legs
- Ulcers
These quality-of-life issues, as well as their unsightly appearance, are often the reasons why many varicose sufferers come to Tulsa Vein Institute for treatment.
If left untreated, varicose veins can develop their own serious medical conditions such as skin ulcers, blood clots, and painful wounds that are difficult to heal.
What causes varicose veins?
When operating correctly, veins carry blood back to the heart against gravity. Muscle contraction in the legs and the one-way valves in the veins facilitate the one way flow of blood and prevent blood from pooling in the legs.
However, if the valves fail or become weak and don’t close properly, blood leaks back towards the feet, causing pressure and bulging, or swelling of the veins.
This congestion, or trapped blood in the veins, causes aching, heaviness, throbbing, itching, and restless legs, as well as a bluish, bulging appearance just under the skin.
Can anyone get varicose veins?
According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, an estimated 35% of all Americans suffer from varicose veins. Although varicose veins can happen to almost anyone, they’re common among women and men. Risk factors for varicose veins include:
- Heredity: if both parents suffer from varicose veins, their children have a 90% chance of having them as well. If varicose veins affect only one parent, there’s a 50% chance of their children experiencing them as well.
- Age: the older you get, the more likely you are to get varicose veins.
- Pregnancy: Increased pressure on veins from the growing baby, increased blood flow, and hormonal changes make varicose veins common during pregnancy.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts undue pressure on your veins.
- Sitting or standing for long periods: Occupations where workers stand or sit for a large portion of their workday — office workers, teachers, nurses, assembly line workers, truck drivers, and restaurant wait staff, for example — are more apt to develop varicose veins.
If you suffer from painful and unsightly varicose veins, contact Tulsa Vein Institute by requesting an appointment online or calling 918-216-9081 to take the next step to getting your healthy legs back.
