SNS 기사보내기
(Credit: Getty Images)
(Credit: Getty Images)
Varicose veins are a condition caused by poor circulation in the veins of the legs. When the valves in the veins don’t work correctly, the blood doesn’t flow smoothly and flows backward up, causing the veins to dilate and bulge.
Varicose veins are not the name of the condition. The correct name is venous insufficiency, and varicose veins are one of the main symptoms of venous insufficiency. People often consider varicose veins bulging calf veins, but this isn’t always true.
Other symptoms of varicose veins include localized muscle cramps in the legs during sleep that can be described as “cramps,” discomfort in the calf that feels like it's going to explode after standing for a long time, and pain in the leg that's normal in the morning but becomes painful in the evening, an expert said Tuesday on a YouTube channel.
If left untreated, varicose veins can lead to complications, such as bulging veins, skin discoloration, and ulcers.
Professor Park Sang-woo
Professor Park Sang-woo
“Varicose veins are a progressive disease, so it's important to manage them early,” said Professor Park Sang-woo, director of the Center for Limb and Vascular Diseases at Konkuk University Medical Center. “If you have recurrent leg swelling and fatigue, you’d better consult a doctor instead of dismissing it as simple fatigue.”
In reality, venous insufficiency is not diagnosed by looking at the bulging veins in the legs. It’s important to have an ultrasound scan to determine if there’s any blood reflux.
Thigh vein treatment is key for varicose veins – with reason
Varicose vein treatment involves the veins in the back of the thighs or calves. A common misconception about varicose veins is that they are located in the calves, so why treat the veins in the thighs? While varicose veins occur in the calf area, they often originate from thigh veins. The veins in the thighs should be treated to eliminate the cause.
Typical treatments include surgery, radiofrequency treatment, glue treatment, and mechanical chemical closure.
“Surgery has a slow recovery and can leave scars, but treatments using radiofrequency, adhesives, and mechanical chemical closure allow patients to return to their daily routine quickly,” Professor Park said. “The appropriate treatment should be selected according to the patient's characteristics.”
Radiofrequency treatment involves heat, which may cause damage to the surrounding tissue or nerves where the heat is applied. It also requires dilatation anesthesia along the blood vessels, which requires more than 15 needles to anesthetize, which can be painful. Depending on the strength of the anesthesia, nearby nerves may be irritated, causing a tingling sensation. After the procedure, you must wear compression stockings for about two weeks.
Adhesive treatments don’t require the use of tumescent anesthesia and compression stockings. However, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to the glue after the procedure. The treated area may become itchy or red, which can be treated with medication to relieve the symptoms. In the case of the glue treatment, you’ll also need to wear compression stockings if a drug called sclerosant is used to remove the bulge in the calf.
Mechanical chemical closure has the advantage of having the fastest healing time. The sclerosant is used to close the blood vessels and doesn’t require a dilatation anesthetic like glue, but you’ll need to wear compression stockings like in radiofrequency therapy.
Elevating your legs when you sleep helps prevent varicose veins
Varicose veins are most common in people who work in occupations that involve a lot of standing or sitting. Family history, obesity, and lack of exercise are also factors.
Therefore, exercising regularly and living a healthy lifestyle is essential to prevent them. Suppose you’re in the same position for long periods. In that case, stretching or moving your ankles every 30 minutes is a good idea to improve circulation.
It’s also helpful to keep your legs above your heart when you sleep.
Professor Park advised that early treatment of varicose veins can reduce symptoms and prevent complications. If you’re uncomfortable with your legs' health, don’t take it lightly. It’s important to maintain healthy blood vessels through lifestyle changes and checkups.
tweet
Related articles
[Column] Why standing at work won’t improve your health
Why do varicose veins get worse in hot summer months?
Legs feeling swollen and heavy with enlarged veins? Suspect this disease.
Kim Kyoung-Won kkw97@docdocdoc.co.kr
See Other Articles
Copyright © KBR Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution prohibited
News That You Haven't Seen