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Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and tortuous. The term commonly refers to the veins on the leg,[1] although varicose veins can occur elsewhere. Veins have leaflet valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards (retrograde). Leg muscles pump the veins to return blood to the heart, against the effects of gravity. When veins become varicose, the leaflets of the valves no longer meet properly, and the valves do not work. This allows blood to flow backwards and they enlarge even more. Varicose veins are most common in the superficial veins of the legs, which are subject to high pressure when standing. Besides cosmetic problems, varicose veins are often painful, especially when standing or walking. They often itch, and scratching them can cause ulcers. Serious complications are rare. Non-surgical treatments include sclerotherapy, elastic stockings, elevating the legs, and exercise.
Aching, heavy legs (often worse at night and after exercise).
Appearance of spider veins (telangiectasia) in the affected leg.
Ankle swelling.
A brownish-blue shiny skin discoloration near the affected veins.
Redness, dryness, and itchiness of areas of skin – termed stasis dermatitis or venous eczema, because of waste products building up in the leg.
Cramps may develop especially when making a sudden move as standing up.
Minor injuries to the area may bleed more than normal and/or take a long time to heal.
In some people the skin above the ankle may shrink (lipodermatosclerosis) because the fat underneath the skin becomes hard.
Restless legs syndrome appears to be a common overlapping clinical syndrome in patients with varicose veins and other chronic venous insufficiency.
Whitened, irregular scar-like patches can appear at the ankles. This is known as atrophie blanche.
Complications
Most varicose veins are relatively benign, but severe varicosities can lead to major complications, due to the poor circulation through the affected limb.
Pain, heaviness, inability to walk or stand for long hours thus hindering work
Skin conditions / Dermatitis which could predispose skin loss
Skin ulcers especially near the ankle, usually referred to as venous ulcers.
Development of carcinoma or sarcoma in longstanding venous ulcers. There have been over 100 reported cases of malignant transformation and the rate is reported as 0.4% to 1%.[5]
Severe bleeding from minor trauma, of particular concern in the elderly.
Blood clotting within affected veins. Termed superficial thrombophlebitis. These are frequently isolated to the superficial veins, but can extend into deep veins becoming a more serious problem.
Acute fat necrosis can occur, especially at the ankle of overweight patients with varicose veins. Females are more frequently affected than males.
Stages
C0 no visible or palpable signs of venous disease
C1 telangectasia or reticular veins
C2 varicose veins
C3 edema
C4a skin changes due to venous disorders: pigmentation, eczema
C4b skin changes due to venous disorders: lipodermatosclerosis, atrophie blanche
C5 as C4 but with healed ulcers
C6 skin changes with active ulcers (venous insufficiency ulceration)
Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, and are linked withheredity[6]. Other related factors are pregnancy, obesity, menopause, aging, prolonged standing, leg injury and abdominal straining. Less commonly, but not exceptionally, varicose veins can be due to other causes, as post phlebitic obstruction and/or incontinence, venous and arteriovenous malformations[7] See also for differential diagnosis- 1. Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, 2. Parker-Weber syndrome.