First, let’s define what exactly varicose veins are they’re twisted and enlarged veins causing visible bulging in your legs or other parts of your body. These bluish patches may cause aching pain, cramping, and heaviness in the legs or ankles due to fluid retention. Other symptoms include an itching sensation around the affected area, general fatigue, and swollen ankles/feet. Varicose veins only occur when there’s an underlying problem with circulation—either from poor venous return (blood flow back toward the heart or pressure within the vessels themselves).
Varicose veins causes
Veins carry blood back to the heart. These veins have valves to make blood flow in one direction and prevent backflow. When these valves become weaker it produces varicose veins.
When the valve becomes weak it allows the blood to flow backward or in the opposite direction. This leads to the accumulation of blood in veins and makes veins get enlarged and swollen.
Varicose veins are commonly seen in legs because blood has to flow against gravity to reach the heart.
Varicose veins symptoms –
Varicose veins appear as bulged and twisted blood vessels with dark purple or blueish in color on the calf and thigh. Symptoms of varicose veins include
Uncomfortable legs
Heaviness
Pain
Swelling in ankle and feet after standing for prolonged periods of time.
Burning sensation
Throbbing in legs
Muscle cramps at night
Who is affected?
Varicose veins affect up to 30% of adults and women are more likely to develop more than men.
varicose can our in any vein but commonly develops in the legs and feet. This is because it has to put extra pressure to pump blood to the heart against gravity.
Varicose veins Stages
In 1994 American Venous Forum first published the classification of Varicose veins stages as CEAP Classification. Today CEAP classification is a standardized classification used to describe venous disease.
Before CEAP Classification there were no standardized methods available and healthcare professionals used to describe the symptoms and rate them based on their severity.
CEAP Acronym Stands for
C – Clinical Condition
E– Etiology
A- Anatomical Location
P– Pathophysiology
Varicose veins Stages
CEAP Classification ranges from C0 to C6
C0 – Normal healthy venous system.
C1 – The presence of Spider veins and reticular veins indicates some level of reflux in the larger veins of the leg.
C2 – Formation of varicose veins and patients start experiencing the symptoms like swelling, and aches. Treatment is essential to prevent the further progression of the disease.
C3 – Edema is seen and managed with compression stockings and edema pumps. Treatment will help in further worsening the condition.
C4 – Visible Skin Changes such as color, texture, and appearance of the skin.
C5 – Ulcers around ankles heal their own and needs medical treatment to prevent and treat the underlying causes.
C6 – Nonhealing ulcers are seen in lower extremities and need medical treatment.
CEAP classification helps to understand the severity of the varicose problem and guides to taking the right treatment.
In 2004 this classification underwent revision with more improved details included.
Diagnosis of Varicose veins
The doctor diagnoses the varicose veins by physical examination and visual appearance. The doctor asks the patient to stand to check the signs of swelling.
Other tests include Duplex Ultrasound helps to check the blood flow and structure of the leg veins.
Complications of varicose veins
Varicose veins can lead to complications even though they are usually not serious. The complications include
Inflammation
Blood clots
Bleeding
Varicose eczema
Venous ulcers/ Varicose Ulcers
lipodermatosclerosis
Chronic venous insufficiency
DVT
Risk factors
The following factors are known as some potential risk factors
Pregnancy period
Menopausal phase
Standing for a long period
Family history of varicose veins
Obesity
Gender
Age
Occupation
Genetics
Varicose veins treatment
A person who has no discomfort or symptom and does not bother about its visual appearance may not need any treatment. In the early stages one can get relief by using compression stockings and also using home remedies for varicose veins.
When the early remedies fail or do not improve the condition then medical treatment is needed to address the symptoms such as pain, discomfort, swelling, varicose ulcers, skin discoloration,
Few individuals opt for treatment for cosmetic reasons to get rid of ugly bulged varicose veins.
varicose veins surgery
Vascular surgeon is removing veins for varicose surgery
Varicose veins treatment include
Surgery
Ligation and stripping
Sclerotherapy
Radiofrequency ablation
Endovenous laser treatment
Transilluminated powered phlebectomy
How to prevent varicose veins?
Varicose veins can be prevented by following
Maintaining a healthy weight
Changing sitting and standing positions regularly
Eating a healthy, low-salt diet
Regular exercise
Raising your legs when lying down and sitting
Not wearing tight cloths
Avoiding high heel shoes
Quit smoking
Varicose veins home remedies
Varicose veins home remedies help to improve and prevent further worsening of the varicose veins. These remedies include
Raising the legs
Avoiding prolonged standing and sitting
Maintaining a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Use of compression stockings
Sleep with the feet raised on a pillow
Varicose Veins Ayurvedic Treatment
Varicose Veins Ayurvedic Treatment varies according to the causes of the disease, symptoms, patient condition, etc.
The goal of treatment is to get relief from the symptoms and to correct valve functions.
Varicose veins are formed to the improper functioning of valves present in the veins. This is caused due to imbalance of the doshas. Vata dosha is responsible for the free flow of the blood, and kapha dosha is responsible for the stability of the valves or the structures. Pitta and rakta doshas are get associated with vata and kapha results in varicose veins.
The goal of Ayurveda is to ensure a proper balance between all three doshas – Vata, Pitta & Kapha. Varicose veins are treated by analyzing the causes, symptoms, and the patient’s condition by bringing back the balance in doshas. To achieve this balance ayurveda uses the following
Avoiding the causative factors.
Right diet.
Suitable Ayurvedic treatment.
Panchakarma Treatment.
Ayurvedic treatments such as abhyanga, vast, lepanam, Navarakizhi, udwarthana, etc…
Ayurvedic medicines.
Healthy lifestyle.
Varicose veins are considered siraja granti by some Ayurvedic scholars and few consider it as a condition related to vata rakta. This consideration depends on the symptoms of the varicose veins.
Ayurvedic Varicose veins treatment in Pune can help to strengthen the veins, repairs the damage, reduces inflammation, and reduces swelling.
Ayurvedic Treatment Of Varicose Veins
Ayurvedic Medicines for Varicose Veins
Ayurvedic medicines for varicose veins are selected depending on the doshas involved and there is no one medicine that suits all varicose vein conditions.for get exactly treatment consult ur near ayurvedic doctor.
