Health Encyclopedia

Varicose veins

Definition

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and sometimes painful veins that have filled with an abnormal collection of blood.

Alternative Names

Varicosity; Varicosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

In normal veins, valves in the vein keep blood moving forward toward the heart. With varicose veins, the valves do not function properly, allowing blood to remain in the vein. Pooling of blood in a vein causes it to enlarge.

This process usually occurs in the veins of the legs, although it may occur elsewhere. Varicose veins are common, affecting mostly women.

Causes include:

Defective valves from birth (congenitally defective valves)
Thrombophlebitis
Pregnancy

Standing for a long time and having increased pressure in the abdomen may make you more likely to develop varicose veins, or may make the condition worse.

Primary varicose veins occur because of congenitally defective valves, or without a known cause. Secondary varicose veins occur because of another condition, such as when a pregnant woman develops varicose veins.

Symptoms

Fullness, heaviness, aching, and sometimes pain in the legs
Visible, enlarged veins
Mild swelling of ankles
Brown discoloration of the skin at the ankles
Skin ulcers near the ankle (this is more often seen in severe cases)

Signs and tests

The diagnosis is mainly based on the appearance of the leg veins when you are standing or seated with the legs dangling.

At times a physician may order a duplex ultrasound exam of extremity to see blood flow in the veins, and to rule out other disorders of the legs (such as a blood clot). Rarely, an angiography of the legs may be performed to rule out other disorders.

Treatment

Treatment is usually conservative. You will be asked to avoid excess standing, raise your legs when resting or sleeping, and wear elastic support hose.

You may need treatment to improve the appearance of your legs. Surgery may be recommended, such as:

Vein stripping and removal of the varicose vein (ligation)
Sclerotherapy of veins

Vein stripping is usually reserved for patients who are experiencing a lot of pain or who have skin ulcers.

Expectations (prognosis)

Varicose veins tend to get worse over time. You can ease discomfort and slow varicose vein progression with self care.

Complications

Phlebitis (chronic inflammation of the vein)
Formation of leg ulcers
Rupture of a varicose vein

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:

Varicose veins are painful
They get worse or do not improve with self-treatment, such as keeping the legs elevated or avoiding excessive standing
Complications occur, including a sudden increase in pain or swelling, fever, redness of the leg, or leg ulcers

Prevention

Avoid prolonged standing if personal or family history indicates you are at risk of developing varicose veins.

References

Freischlag JA, Heller JA. Venous disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008:chap 68.

Nijsten T, van den Bos RR, Goldman MP, et al. Minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of saphenous varicose veins. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60:110-119.

Bergen JJ, Shmidt-Shonbein GW, Smith PD, et al. Chronic venous disease. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:488-498.

Review Date:6/1/2009
Reviewed By:Jeffrey Heit, MD, Internist with special emphasis on preventive health, fitness and nutrition, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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