Varicose veins overview: Difference between revisions
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Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, and are linked with [[heredity]].<ref>{{cite journal | author = Ng M, Andrew T, Spector T, Jeffery S | title = Linkage to the [[FOXC2]] region of chromosome 16 for varicose veins in otherwise healthy, unselected sibling pairs. | journal = J Med Genet | volume = 42 | issue = 3 | pages = 235-9 | year = 2005 | id =PMID 15744037}}</ref> Other related factors are [[pregnancy]], [[obesity]], [[menopause]], [[Senescence|aging]], prolonged standing, leg injury and abdominal straining. Varicose veins are bulging veins that are larger than spider veins, typically 3 mm or more in diameter.<ref>NHS Direct[http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=387§ionId=28131] </ref> Varicose veins are distinguished from reticular veins (blue veins) and [[spider_veins|telangiectasias]] (spider veins) which also involve valvular insufficiency,<ref>Weiss R A, Weiss M A, Doppler Ultrasound Findings in Reticular Veins of the Thigh Subdermic Lateral Venous System and Implications for Sclerotherapy, Journal of Derm Surg Onc, Vol 19 No 10 (Oct 1993) p947-951.</ref> by the size and location of the veins. | Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, and are linked with [[heredity]].<ref>{{cite journal | author = Ng M, Andrew T, Spector T, Jeffery S | title = Linkage to the [[FOXC2]] region of chromosome 16 for varicose veins in otherwise healthy, unselected sibling pairs. | journal = J Med Genet | volume = 42 | issue = 3 | pages = 235-9 | year = 2005 | id =PMID 15744037}}</ref> Other related factors are [[pregnancy]], [[obesity]], [[menopause]], [[Senescence|aging]], prolonged standing, leg injury and abdominal straining. Varicose veins are bulging veins that are larger than spider veins, typically 3 mm or more in diameter.<ref>NHS Direct[http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=387§ionId=28131] </ref> Varicose veins are distinguished from reticular veins (blue veins) and [[spider_veins|telangiectasias]] (spider veins) which also involve valvular insufficiency,<ref>Weiss R A, Weiss M A, Doppler Ultrasound Findings in Reticular Veins of the Thigh Subdermic Lateral Venous System and Implications for Sclerotherapy, Journal of Derm Surg Onc, Vol 19 No 10 (Oct 1993) p947-951.</ref> by the size and location of the veins. | ||
==Complications== | ==Natural History, Complications and Prognosis== | ||
Serious complications are rare but severe varicosities can lead to major complications, due to the poor circulation through the affected limb. | Serious complications are rare but severe varicosities can lead to major complications, due to the poor circulation through the affected limb. | ||
Revision as of 14:58, 30 April 2013
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [3]
Overview
Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and twisted. The term commonly refers to the veins on the leg, although varicose veins occur elsewhere. Veins have leaflet valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards (retrograde). Leg muscles pump the veins to return blood to the heart. When veins become enlarged, the leaflets of the valves no longer meet properly, and the valves don't work. A common cause of valve failure is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which can cause permanent damage to the valves. The blood collects in the veins and they enlarge even more. Varicose veins are common in the superficial veins of the legs, which are subject to high pressure when standing.
Causes
Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, and are linked with heredity.[1] Other related factors are pregnancy, obesity, menopause, aging, prolonged standing, leg injury and abdominal straining. Varicose veins are bulging veins that are larger than spider veins, typically 3 mm or more in diameter.[2] Varicose veins are distinguished from reticular veins (blue veins) and telangiectasias (spider veins) which also involve valvular insufficiency,[3] by the size and location of the veins.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Serious complications are rare but severe varicosities can lead to major complications, due to the poor circulation through the affected limb.
Diagnosis
Symptoms
Besides cosmetic problems, varicose veins are often painful, especially when standing or walking. They often itch, and scratching them can cause ulcers.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Non-surgical treatments include sclerotherapy, elastic stockings, elevating the legs, and exercise. The traditional surgical treatment has been vein stripping to remove the affected veins. Newer surgical treatments are less invasive (see radiofrequency ablation) and are slowly replacing traditional surgical treatments. Since most of the blood in the legs is returned by the deep veins, and the superficial veins only return about 10%, they can be removed or ablated without serious harm.[4]
Surgery
Several techniques have been performed for over a century, from the more invasive named "saphenous stripping" up to mini invasives like superficial phlectomies and CHIVA cure.
References
- ↑ Ng M, Andrew T, Spector T, Jeffery S (2005). "Linkage to the FOXC2 region of chromosome 16 for varicose veins in otherwise healthy, unselected sibling pairs". J Med Genet. 42 (3): 235–9. PMID 15744037.
- ↑ NHS Direct[1]
- ↑ Weiss R A, Weiss M A, Doppler Ultrasound Findings in Reticular Veins of the Thigh Subdermic Lateral Venous System and Implications for Sclerotherapy, Journal of Derm Surg Onc, Vol 19 No 10 (Oct 1993) p947-951.
- ↑ Merck Manual Home Edition, 2nd ed.[2]