Varicose Veins: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
الدوالي الوريدية
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that usually appear in the legs due to weak vein valves and pooling of blood, causing heaviness, pain, and swelling. They are common especially with prolonged standing and pregnancy, and are managed with lifestyle changes, compression stockings, and modern interventional procedures.
What is Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen, and twisted veins that appear under the skin, usually in the legs and feet. They occur when the small valves inside the veins weaken — valves that normally push blood in one direction back toward the heart and prevent it from flowing back down due to gravity.
When these valves weaken or are damaged, some blood flows back and pools inside the vein, raising the pressure within it so it gradually widens and twists until it appears as the well-known varicose shape. The likelihood rises with aging, prolonged standing or sitting, during pregnancy, and with obesity and family history, and they are more common in women.
Many varicose veins affect only appearance, but they can cause bothersome symptoms such as heavy legs, pain, swelling, itching, and night cramps, and in advanced cases may lead to skin changes or ulcers. Fortunately, effective and less invasive treatment options are available today, ranging from lifestyle changes and compression stockings to modern procedures such as laser, radiofrequency, or sclerotherapy injections, chosen by a vascular specialist according to the case.
Symptoms
- Prominent blue or purple twisted veins in the legs.
- Heaviness, pain, and burning in the legs, especially late in the day.
- Ankle swelling, night cramps, and itching.
- Skin changes or ulcers in advanced cases.
Causes
- Weak or damaged vein valves, so blood flows back and pools.
- Increased pressure inside the leg veins.
- Aggravating factors: prolonged standing, pregnancy, obesity, heredity.
Risk factors
- Older age and female sex.
- Prolonged standing or sitting.
- Pregnancy and family history.
- Obesity and inactivity.
Diagnosis
- Clinical examination of the legs while standing.
- Ultrasound (Doppler) to assess blood flow and the valves.
Treatment
Conservative measures
- Compression stockings, leg elevation, regular movement, and weight loss.
Modern procedures
- Sclerotherapy injections for small veins.
- Endovenous laser or radiofrequency treatment.
- Surgery in selected cases.
The vascular specialist chooses the most suitable option. This content is educational and does not replace medical advice.
Complications
- Superficial vein inflammation (phlebitis).
- Skin changes and chronic venous ulcers.
- Bleeding from an enlarged superficial vein, rarely.
Prevention
- Avoiding prolonged standing or sitting and moving regularly.
- Elevating the legs and keeping a healthy weight.
- Compression stockings for at-risk groups.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for persistent pain and swelling, skin color change, an ulcer near the ankle, or if the appearance bothers you. Go to the emergency department for bleeding from a vein or sudden pain and swelling that may indicate a clot. Book an appointment with a vascular specialist on ClinicsJo.