TL;DR:
- Varicose veins affect ~30% of women and ~20% of men, often after 50, and can worsen without treatment, leading to severe complications.
- They are dilated superficial veins (>3mm), caused by chronic venous insufficiency (impaired blood return from leg veins).
- Symptoms: Leg heaviness, swelling, numbness, tingling, pain, skin itching, cramps, visible twisted veins, and discolored skin.
- Risk factors: Genetics, poor diet (low protein, high trans fats), pregnancy, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, heat exposure, alcohol, and tight clothing.
- Prevention: Regular walking, weight management, avoiding prolonged sitting/standing.
- Treatments: Early stages—creams, heparin, anti-inflammatory drugs, compression stockings. Advanced stages—sclerotherapy, laser closure, or surgery.
- Complications: Untreated varicose veins can lead to ulcers, phlebitis, thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism. Seek medical care for severe pain, swelling, discoloration, or vein bleeding.
Varicose veins are a common problem that affects an average of 30% of women and 20% of men, especially after the age of 50. They arise due to abnormal operation of the circulatory system. It is better not to underestimate them, because if left untreated they can lead to serious complications and, in extreme cases, even death. Fortunately, thanks to modern medicine, you can significantly improve your comfort of life.
What exactly are varicose veins?
A varicose vein is a dilated superficial vein that is larger than 3 mm in diameter when held upright. It is formed as a result of stretching and elongation of the veins, which results in their tortuous appearance. In the human body there are:
- Superficial veins, visible under the skin,
- deep veins, hidden between connective tissue and muscles.
**Chronic venous insufficiency in the legs is referred to as **lower extremity varicose veins**. When blood is unable to efficiently return from the legs to the heart and as a result accumulates in the veins, vein dilatation occurs. In a healthy person, the muscles that push the blood upward are responsible for proper circulation, while the venous valves prevent it from flowing downward. One can distinguish congenital or acquired insufficiency of the valves of the superficial veins.
What are the symptoms of leg varicose veins?
Varicose veins are divided into primary, which are formed due to weakening of the walls of the venous vessels, and secondary, formed by damage to the venous valves as a result of deep vein thrombosis. The first symptoms of varicose veins that form are numbness, swelling, tingling and a feeling of heaviness in the legs, which disappear in the morning or after resting with the legs elevated. Itching of the skin around the inflamed veins may also occur, and women sometimes experience increased discomfort during menstruation. varicose veins on legs Another symptom is nighttime painful cramps in the calves. On the other hand, pain under the knee and in the groin after sitting or standing for a long time is a symptom of varicose veins of the inner legs. The next stage is the so-called. ,"spider veins on the legs" which are tiny red or purple veins visible under the skin. Next, you may notice blue, dilated superficial vessels, which over time become thicker, more pronounced and become twisted, so that you can feel them with your fingers. This is an important signal that the disease is already advanced. The final stage is a rusty brown discoloration of the skin.
Prevention and treatment
Prevention is mainly based on avoiding long standing or sitting and frequent walking, which will help improve circulation in the legs. For those who are overweight, a proper diet and shedding excess weight is recommended. Varicose vein treatment is selected according to the severity of the condition. If something worries you, you should visit a phlebologist, a doctor who specializes in treating vein conditions, as soon as possible. In the early stages, he is likely to order conservative treatment, i.e. ointments for varicose veins, which act as anti-edema, and pills to seal the blood vessels. Treatment most often involves the administration of heparin (a drug that reduces blood clotting) and anti-inflammatory medications over a period of several weeks. These medications have a supportive effect, but do not remove the cause of the condition. A non-invasive, but helpful method, will also be special compression knee socks or stockings to help blood circulation. It is worth asking a specialist to choose the right compression level for you, because then the positive effects will be most noticeable. If the problem persists, you can use specialized therapies such as sclerotherapy, a procedure that removes varicose veins by injecting them with a special obliterating drug. Another method is CUTERA laser vascular closure. In more severe cases, surgical treatment of varicose veins may be necessary. Surgery is able to remove varicose veins of any size – both large and small, which is an undeniable advantage of this type of treatment.
What can a lack of treatment end up with?
If you ignore the problem of varicose veins, you have to take into account the possibility of superficial phlebitis. The condition usually has a positive prognosis, but manifests itself in severe pain and reddening of the skin at the site of the vein. ** Anti-inflammatory treatment in the form of subcutaneous injections with heparin or antibiotic therapy will be necessary, since inflammation and swelling of the legs can lead to the formation of hard-to-heal ulcers.** You should go to the doctor as soon as possible when:
- we notice bleeding varicose veins,
- you feel a hardening in a vein,
- inflammatory changes and discoloration have occurred,
- limb pain and swelling are so severe that they interfere with functioning.
A condition much more serious than superficial phlebitis is the so-called venous thrombosis, which requires prompt treatment, as in extreme cases it threatens pulmonary embolism. You should go to a specialist, who, for example, can order Doppler effect ultrasound, a test that is at once safe, easily accessible and without the need for the patient to be prepared in advance. It will make it possible to examine the superficial and deep veins, because only then will we get a proper picture of the progression of the disease.
How do varicose veins on the legs develop?
Factors that increase the risk of varicose veins are:
-
- Genetic predisposition – probably the main cause of varicose veins are genetically determined abnormalities of the venous valves (for example, there are too few of them) or weakness or increased susceptibility to stretching of the vein wall. We can inherit the propensity to develop varicose veins from our parents or grandparents.
- Inadequate nutrition – rich in trans fats and low in protein and vitamin C.
- Pregnancy or being overweight – veins are more stressed because there is an increase in blood volume and the effect of hormones on the vein walls.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Frequent bathing in high temperatures – dilates and weakens blood vessels.
- **Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Wearing tight clothing – impedes circulation.
Conclusion
Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic issue—they signal poor vein health. Ignoring them could lead to pain, ulcers, or life-threatening complications like thrombosis. Prevention includes staying active, managing weight, and avoiding tight clothing or prolonged sitting. Early treatment options include compression therapy, lifestyle changes, or minimally invasive procedures like sclerotherapy. Severe cases may require surgery. Don't wait for advanced symptoms; seek expert advice early. Modern treatments can greatly improve comfort and quality of life. Take care of your veins—they’re essential to your overall health.
