What
are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are veins under the skin of the legs, which have become widened, bulging, and twisted. They are very common and do not cause medical problems in most people. There are two main systems of veins in the legs:
Varicose veins are veins under the skin of the legs, which have become widened, bulging, and twisted. They are very common and do not cause medical problems in most people. There are two main systems of veins in the legs:
- Deep veins: The leg muscles squeeze the deep veins during walking, carrying most of the blood back up the legs to the heart.
- Superficial veins: These occur under the skin which are less important and can form varicose veins.
All
of these veins contain one-way valves to ensure that the blood flows towards
the heart. Failure of these valves allows blood to flow backwards
down the veins and results in an overload of pressure when standing. This
excess pressure leads to widening of the veins so that they do not close
properly. Blood then flows back into the leg along these veins and causes
varicose veins to develop. Raised pressure in these veins also
encourages the development of spider veins and discoloured areas which look
like bruises.
What
causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins and spider veins often run in families and there may be a hereditary component. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins and up to 50% of women may be affected. Hormonal factors including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the use of birth control pills, and HRT affect the disease.
Varicose veins and spider veins often run in families and there may be a hereditary component. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins and up to 50% of women may be affected. Hormonal factors including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the use of birth control pills, and HRT affect the disease.
Pregnancy: It is very common
for pregnant women to develop varicose veins during the first
trimester. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood
volume which in turn cause veins to enlarge. In addition, the
enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Varicose veins due to
pregnancy often improve within 3 months after delivery. However, with
successive pregnancies, abnormal veins are more likely to remain.
Other
predisposing factors include ageing, standing for long periods of time, obesity
and leg injury.
What
are the symptoms?
Many people have no symptoms at all from their varicose veins, except for the fact that they are noticeable and their appearance can be embarrassing. Other than cosmetic embarrassment, the most common symptoms of varicose veins are aching, discomfort and heaviness of the legs, which are usually worse at the end of the day. Sometimes the ankle can swell, too. These symptoms are not medically serious, but can be treated if they are sufficiently troublesome.
Many people have no symptoms at all from their varicose veins, except for the fact that they are noticeable and their appearance can be embarrassing. Other than cosmetic embarrassment, the most common symptoms of varicose veins are aching, discomfort and heaviness of the legs, which are usually worse at the end of the day. Sometimes the ankle can swell, too. These symptoms are not medically serious, but can be treated if they are sufficiently troublesome.
Although
varicose veins can get worse over the years, this often happens very
slowly. In a few people the high pressure in the veins causes
damage to the skin near the ankle, which can become brown in colour, sometimes
with scarred white areas. Eczema (a red skin rash) can
develop. If these skin changes are allowed to progress, or if the
skin is injured, an ulcer may develop. Skin changes are therefore a good
reason for going to see your GP and for referral to a specialist.
In many areas there are special leg ulcer bandaging clinics, supervised by the
skin specialists and run by specially trained nurses. Your GP may refer
you there, rather than to a surgeon in the first instance.
Other
problems which varicose veins can occasionally produce:
Phlebitis means inflammation of the veins, and is often accompanied by some thrombosis (clotting of blood) inside the affected veins, which become hard and tender. This is not the same as deep vein thrombosis is not usually dangerous. It does not mean that the varicose veins necessarily have to be treated.
Bleeding
The risk of bleeding as a result of knocking varicose veins worries many people, but this is very rare. It will always stop with firm pressure and the veins can then be treated to remove the risk of further bleeding.
The risk of bleeding as a result of knocking varicose veins worries many people, but this is very rare. It will always stop with firm pressure and the veins can then be treated to remove the risk of further bleeding.
Deep
Vein Thrombosis
Varicose veins are associated with some patients. It is not clear whether varicose veins themselves increase the risk, but certainly to varicose veins and skin damage around the ankle.
Varicose veins are associated with some patients. It is not clear whether varicose veins themselves increase the risk, but certainly to varicose veins and skin damage around the ankle.
What
tests are there to investigate varicose veins?
Most varicose veins originate from leaking valves at groin level or behind the knee. It is important to accurately locate the site of the valve leaks. At your outpatient appointment the doctor will use a small probe to assess your veins, this is called continuous wave Doppler. The probe can detect the direction of blood flow which is audible, both in the skin veins and in the deep veins. It indicates where the veins have come from and helps in the planning of any operation that might be required. An ultrasound scan (duplex) may be performed instead. This will allow detailed examination of your deep veins particularly if there is a past history of deep vein thrombosis.
Most varicose veins originate from leaking valves at groin level or behind the knee. It is important to accurately locate the site of the valve leaks. At your outpatient appointment the doctor will use a small probe to assess your veins, this is called continuous wave Doppler. The probe can detect the direction of blood flow which is audible, both in the skin veins and in the deep veins. It indicates where the veins have come from and helps in the planning of any operation that might be required. An ultrasound scan (duplex) may be performed instead. This will allow detailed examination of your deep veins particularly if there is a past history of deep vein thrombosis.
Varicose
veins behind the knee and recurrent varicose veins will also require duplex
scanning.
Vascular Health
We
do not fully understand vascular disease, but once it occurs we are unable to
reverse it or stop the process occurring. We know that there are risk factors
that speed up the process of atherosclerosis
and make some people more likely to develop this condition. These are:
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Diet and Weight
- Smoking
Vascular
disease can also be a hereditary condition. If you have a history of vascular
disease in your family, you may want to discuss this with your healthcare
practitioner.
Smoking has been directly related to:
- accelerating the process of atherosclerosis
- the furring up of your arteries and reducing the amount of blood flow
- thickening of the blood, making it difficult to pass through narrow arteries
Diabetes
If you are not known to be diabetic, your fasting blood sugar (glucose) level should be checked to ensure there is no underlying problem that is not being treated.
If you are not known to be diabetic, your fasting blood sugar (glucose) level should be checked to ensure there is no underlying problem that is not being treated.
It
can be possible to have a glucose level that is not high enough to be diabetic,
but is not low enough to be normal. This is known as glucose intolerance. In
this instance it is sensible to control the sugar level in your diet and have a
regular check of your blood to ensure the blood glucose level is not rising.
If
you are diabetic this increases your chances of having a high blood glucose
level on a regular basis and this accelerates the process of atherosclerosis.
Diabetics also tend to develop atherosclerosis in a different pattern from
those who are not diabetic, which can make it difficult to treat when the
disease becomes severe. Therefore it is very important for diabetics to have a
good control of their blood sugar levels and to take especially good care of
their feet.
High
blood pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure is known to increase the process of atherosclerosis, and your blood pressure should be checked to ensure it is reaching a target of 140 over 85, however these readings can change depending on your age. If you are already known to have high blood pressure, your blood pressure should be checked on a regular basis to make sure your tablets are keeping your blood pressure to the amount specified by your healthcare professional.
High blood pressure is known to increase the process of atherosclerosis, and your blood pressure should be checked to ensure it is reaching a target of 140 over 85, however these readings can change depending on your age. If you are already known to have high blood pressure, your blood pressure should be checked on a regular basis to make sure your tablets are keeping your blood pressure to the amount specified by your healthcare professional.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is the fat that is in your blood, with a tenth coming from the food you eat and the rest made by your liver. Cholesterol is known to increase the process of atherosclerosis. With peripheral arterial disease your target cholesterol level should be lower than normal, with the total cholesterol less than 4 mmol/L and LDL cholesterol less than 2 mmol/L (this is lower than the NHS recommendations of 5mmol/L total blood cholesterol and 3 mmol/L of LDL cholesterol). It is unusual to have a natural cholesterol level below these targets and most individuals require medication to work on the liver to produce less cholesterol.
Cholesterol is the fat that is in your blood, with a tenth coming from the food you eat and the rest made by your liver. Cholesterol is known to increase the process of atherosclerosis. With peripheral arterial disease your target cholesterol level should be lower than normal, with the total cholesterol less than 4 mmol/L and LDL cholesterol less than 2 mmol/L (this is lower than the NHS recommendations of 5mmol/L total blood cholesterol and 3 mmol/L of LDL cholesterol). It is unusual to have a natural cholesterol level below these targets and most individuals require medication to work on the liver to produce less cholesterol.
The
only medication shown by research to reduce your cholesterol level and reduce
your risk of heart attack and stroke are the statin medications. After starting
on a statin medication your cholesterol level should be checked to ensure it is
working and bringing your cholesterol levels down to target. Once your
cholesterol levels are to target, they can be checked once a year, but the
medication is required for life, since it has other beneficial effects on the
arteries.
Herbal
Medicine:
Herbal medicine that is prepared to help regulate blood cholesterol levels by reducing the cholesterol in the body and increasing the removal of cholesterol from the blood. As previously explained, our liver produces its own cholesterol. It also produces a protein known as LDL (low density lipoprotein) receptors. LDL transports cholesterol around the body in blood. LDL receptors grab hold of the LDL particles from the blood and put them to use in the cells.
Statin
medication reduces the amount of cholesterol your liver creates and at the same
time it enhances the production of LDL receptors and helps to keep your
cholesterol levels balanced.
Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight or body mass index helps you to keep all your risk factors under control. Reducing your weight reduces your risk of becoming diabetic, reduces your blood pressure and reduces your cholesterol level.
Maintaining a healthy weight or body mass index helps you to keep all your risk factors under control. Reducing your weight reduces your risk of becoming diabetic, reduces your blood pressure and reduces your cholesterol level.
How
else can I reduce the risk of getting vascular disease?
- Eat a healthy diet and control your blood sugar levels
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- If you smoke, kick the habit
- Keep an eye on your blood pressure
- Be aware of any new conditions or changes in your body
- Have regular medical examinations, at least once a year
varicose veins that surround the testis, are simply abnormally distended veins. Varicocele is a very common condition that affects 10-15% of men, and more commonly involves the left testis than the right. The usual cause of varicocele is failure of the testicular valves.
The varicocele can cause your sperm count to be low, or your sperm to be abnormal in shape or motion, as it sometimes applies excessive heat and pressure to the testes.
If you and your partner are not trying to get pregnant, there shouldn't be any cause for concern. It's not as if the longer you have the varicocele, the more it affects your fertility — removing the varicocele has almost immediate effects.
Conclusion:
Here our herbal medicine can cure varicose vain.
For queries:
Contact me at :bshrei@doctor.com
Whats app:9566699918
