Varicose veins are truly bothersome. They are the enlarged and swollen veins that cause intense
pain and constant irritation. Some varicose veins are internal while most of them are visible
right under the skin.
Varicose veins are an unpleasant sight and cause extreme discomfort to a large number of
patients. Occurring more frequently to women than men, varicose veins are formed when the vein
valves get damaged over time and cause the blood to pool leaving the patients with a heavy
feeling in the affected area.
Even though varicose veins is a common medical condition for the aged people, there is a total
lack of awareness about its symptoms and treatment. Lets us burst the most common varicose vein
myths below:
Varicose veins are spider veins – Often times, varicose veins are considered to be spider veins
and these two terms are used interchangeably. However, spider veins are not varicose veins.
Spider veins are comparatively smaller, less painful and very thin. Spider veins look like thin
ink lines drawn on the skin while varicose veins bulge out from the skin and are much more
painful.
Varicose veins are vital to the circulatory system – Varicose veins used to be an essential part
of the circulatory system but now as their valves do not function well and they cause the blood
to pool, they are no longer useful to the body. They are superficial and it is safe to get them
cut or totally removed from the body. The body automatically re-routes the blood to other
healthier veins and continues to function perfectly well without these veins.
Varicose veins cannot be prevented – Varicose veins can most certainly be avoided by keeping a
check on your weight, wearing comfortable footwear, and having an active lifestyle. If you are
obese or overweight, there is additional unwanted pressure on the legs and that can damage the
valves of the leg and feet veins thus leading to the severely painful varicose veins. Footwear
that restricts the blood flow can also force the blood to pool in the legs and around the
ankles. Mild regular exercises focussing on the ankles have also been known to reduce the
chances of varicose veins in most patients.
Varicose veins are not a hereditary medical condition – In a few cases, varicose veins have also
been found to have developed in patients who were neither overweight nor had a sedentary
lifestyle. Varicose veins are thus, also related to hereditary and have been found to be a
genetic medical condition for a few people. If your family members have a history of varicose
veins, sadly even you have a higher probability of getting them at some point in your life.
Compression Stockings offer no comfort to varicose vein patients – Compression socks, also
called support stockings are a blessing for the varicose vein patients. They are available in
multiple sizes and are generally lose from the thighs but tighter near the ankles. They help
keep the veins compressed and thus hinder the blood from pooling. Ideal for long flights or
varicose vein patients who have desk jobs with long intervals of sitting in the same position,
these help reduce the pain, slow down the progression of existing varicose veins, and also
restrict new developments of varicose veins.
If you have any early signs of varicose veins or have been successfully diagnosed with them,
there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Hospitals is a vascular
surgeon and specializes in non-invasive laser treatment of varicose veins. It is an absolutely
safe and painless procedure. There is a minimal post-treatment care and the patients are usually
discharged from the hospital on the same day as their endovenous laser treatment.
Avis Hospitals has a proven track record of happy patients who have been successfully cured of
their varicose veins. No matter your age, if you have varicose veins, Dr. Rajah V Koppala is
here to help you get rid of them. For pin-point diagnosis and world-class treatment, book an
appointment at Avis Vascular Centre today!
