what is the definition or description of: varicose veins?

Question

Answer 1

Big vein: It comes from the latin "varicosus" whihc means a large vein. The terminology of varicose vein disease (venous insufficiency) is arbitrary and based on the size of the vein. It ranges from spider veins to varicosities. Regardless, the underlying cause is venous insufficiency. http://www.houstonvir.com/varicose-veins-houston/.

Answer 2

Bulging Veins.: Varicose veins are bulging grape-like appearing veins which are most commonly seen on the legs. These are due to leaking(refluxing) valves usually in the saphenous system. Some causes include hereditary, pregnancy, trauma and aging. The gold standard of treatment is to have a venous reflux ultrasound to both diagnose and form a treatment plan. You should see a vein specialist.

Answer 3

Varicose Veins: Varicose veins is explained as abnormal enlargement of the veins in the thighs and the lower legs. This occurs due to the poor blood circulation caused by either obstruction or prolonged pressure on the veins and hence, resulting in malfunctioning of the valves in the veins.

Answer 4

Varicose Veins: Are dilated, elongated, winding, tortuous superficial leg veins. Upright position, meager tissular support, heredity, gender (female hormones/pregnancies) and life style may distend the vein triggering valvular incompetence and gravitational down flow (reflux) while the increased venous pressure will assure the progressive nature of the condition.

Answer 5

Varicose veins: Varicose veins are abnormal dilated, engorged, swollen veins of the legs that are most commonly superficial, just below the surface of the skin. They are typically the results of abnormal vein function within the veins that leads to pressure build-up inside the veins that causes then to stretch, thin, and enlongate. The underlying disease that often leads to them is caused venous reflux disease.

Answer 6

Not by itself: But varicose veins can lead to deep venous thrombophlebitis, from which a clot can dislodge and travel to your lungs, pulmonary embolism. And this can kill you. If you have unilateral leg swelling and pain, the only way to know for sure is to do an ultrasound study called venous duplex.

Answer 7

Not directly: I agree with dr. Uyeda. Varicose veins increase your risk (slightly) of getting a deep vein thrombosis. If clot breaks off and travels, going to your lungs, and the clot is big enough, it could certainly be life threatening. If you get a deep venous thrombosis, the other bad thing that can happen is that you can end up with post thrombotic syndrome and even if it won't kill you, you don't want it.

Answer 8

Varicose Vein Danger: Varicose veins alone cannot kill you. It is extremely rare to have a lethal complication form varicose veins. The only potential lethal senario would be a severe thrombophlebits (clot) forming in a varicose vein that then extends into a deep vein (DVT) & then also breaks loose and travels to the heart / lung (known as a pulmonary embolism). Any unusual symptoms in the leg should prompt a md visit.

Answer 9

Dangers of V V: Varicose veins are for the most part not dangerous but they do have a problematic potential. Varicose veins are due to malfunctioning valves in the saphenous system and usually cause symptoms of aching, heaviness, tired, cramping or leg swelling. These same veins can worsen and cause clots, bleeding and venous stasis ultimately leading to venous ulcers it is wise to see a vein specialist early.

Answer 10

Yes: Itching of skin means irritation. If you have varicose veins, there is nothing between the vessel and the outside, except skin. If skin breaks down, the vein can bleed uncontrollably. If it gets infected, bacteria can travel through the blood, septicemia. Resist scratching the skin. You can use topical creams and keep leg elevated until you get to a doctor.

Answer 11

Itchy veins: Scratching itching veins might not be the best idea. It is possible that scratching could cause a skin infection if you scratch hard enough, long enough. You could also cause an open sore to develop. It is even possible that you could cause the vein to bleed but you would have to scratch awfully hard to do that. Changes are the worst that would happen is that you would have to scratch more.

Answer 12

Scratching Veins: Sometime it could be dangerous to scratch an area of varicose veins. One risk is that is the skin is thin enough, you could actually cause a break in the skin that could cause bleeding. Less significant risk is that you could cause enough trauma to the area to cause a phlebitis or infection of the area. If the veins are causing alot of itching, would recommend being seen by a vein specialist.

Answer 13

Veins can bleed.: Varicose veins can cause thinning of the skin overlying the veins. Scratching these areas could irritate the skin leading to inflammation, infection and even the possibility of bleeding. It would be prudent not to scratch areas over varicose veins.

Answer 14

Varicose veins: Itching is a symptom of varicose veins as blood may leak out of the vein wall causing the itch Scratching is not advised Wear support hose to help with the symptoms Evaluation to determine source is important and would recommend treatment

Answer 15

Magic: No magic pill or cream to get rid of varicose veins. There are vascular surgery procedures to help control the spread of varicose veins.

Answer 16

Not strictly.: Most varicose veins are caused by increased pressure in the leg veins. Unlike arterial blood pressure, this pressure cannot be adjusted with medications, and is directly related to the weight of the blood. Prolonged standing or sitting without activity can make it worse. Valve problems with the number (too few) or function (don't work) of the leg veins are usually the cause.

Answer 17

No. : Only a vein specialist can treat your veins durably. Compression stockings slow progression. In office treatments are now available. Phlebology .Org or miamibeachvein.Com to learn more.

Answer 18

None that works.: Varicose veins are due to leaking valves in the saphenous vein system. There is a strong hereditary component. There are many potential home remedies such as horse chestnut, witch hazel and certain kinds of berries but none of these work. If you have varicose veins, then you should see a vein specialist for a f/u venous evaluation including a venous ultrasound.

Answer 19

Surgery: No medications help. But not all varicoceles need surgery. If you have no pain and no impairment in fertility, you likely don't need therapy.

Answer 20

Unfortunately no way: Varicose veins develop as a result of faulty valves within the veins (mostly) on your legs; it might be associated with a genetic predisposition, but it is also associated with jobs that require a lot of standing or sitting. You can help the symptoms by using compression stockings, but you should seek the advice of a vascular surgeon in dealing with these veins.

Answer 21

Lifelong care: As dr. Hernandez says, spider veins, varicose veins and venous disease is inherited and made worse with hormones, pregnancies, prolonged sitting and standing, heavy weight lifting, and others... Phlebology is a specialty for treating veins: www.Phlebolgy.Org minimally invasive diagnostic and treatments to get rid of each type of problem before it progresses and exercise and medical compression.

Answer 22

Varicose veins: That depends on how severe the veins are & what type of symptoms or complications you are having. Mild cases can be treated with compression stockings. More severe cases may require interventional treatments such as endovenous ablation, sclerotherapy, or phlebecotomy surgery. I recommend that you see a vascular surgeon who specializes in vein treatments to make the appropriate recommendations.

Answer 23

See a vein doctor.: Varicose veins are usually due to malfunctioning valves is the saphenous veins. This can be diagnosed by a venous reflux ultrasound. You should see a vascular surgeon or a vein specialist. The gold standard for varicose vein treatment is to seal the leaking valves with a laser or radio frequency catheter.

Answer 24

No simple fix: Varicose veins occur when the surrounding supporting structures of the veins lose their support and the veins begin to bulge out. This can be causes by obesity, family history, trauma, or just bad luck. Treatment varies from compression stockings to injection/laser to removing parts of the bad veins (not stripping). There are no home remedies that really have any effect other than elevating them.

Answer 25

None that works.: Varicose veins are due to leaking valves in the saphenous vein system. There is a strong hereditary component. There are many potential home remedies such as horse chestnut, witch hazel and certain kinds of berries but none of these work. If you have varicose veins, then you should see a vein specialist for a f/u venous evaluation including a venous ultrasound.

Answer 26

Bioflavonoids &herbs: I don't know of any medicines that will reverse varicose veins but a variety of bioflavonoids & herbs can strengthen veins & prevent them from worsening. Avoiding prolonged sitting & standing helps & any yoga where your raise your legs will help. See http://altmedicine.About.Com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/varicose_veins.Htm and http://www.Thorne.Com/altmedrev/.Fulltext/9/3/308.Pdf & my comment:.

what is the definition or description of: varicose veins?

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

Similar questions

Can having varicose veins kill you?

Is it dangerous to scratch varicose veins?

Is there any medicine available in the market to cure the varicose vein disease?

How to fight varicose veins ?

What are good home remediesfor varicose veins:?

Related questions

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:

People also asked

Disclaimer:

Get the free app for Members

Get the free app for Doctors