Varicose veins

Varicose veins are superficial veins that have become enlarged and twisted.[2][1] Typically they occur just under the skin in the legs.[3] Usually they result in few symptoms but some may experience fullness or pain in the area.[2] Complications may include bleeding or superficial thrombophlebitis.When varices occur in the scrotum it isknown as a varicocele while those around the anus are known as hemorrhoids.[1]

Often there is no specific cause.[2] Risk factors include obesity, not enough exercise, leg trauma, and a family history of the condition.[3] They also occur more commonly in pregnancy.[3] Occasionally they result from chronic venous insufficiency.[2] The underlying mechanism involves weak or damaged valves in the veins.[1] Diagnosis is typically by examination and may be supported by ultrasound.[2] In contrast spider veins involve the capillaries and are smaller.[1][5]

Treatment may involve life-style changes or medical procedures with the goal of improving symptoms and appearance.[1] Life-style changes may include compression stockings, exercise, elevating the legs, and weight loss.[1] Medical procedures include sclerotherapy, laser surgery, and vein stripping.[2][1] Following treatment there is often reoccurrence.[2]

Varicose veins are very common, affected about 30% of people at some point in time.[3][6] They become more common with age.[3] Women are affected about twice as often as men.[5] Varicose veins has been described throughout history and have been treated with surgery since at least A.D. 400.[7]

• Aching, heavy legs.[8]
• Appearance of spider veins (telangiectasia) in the affected leg.
• Ankle swelling, especially in the evening.[8]
• A brownish-yellow 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[9] may develop especially when making a sudden move as standing up.
• Minor injuries to the area may bleed more than normal 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 people with varicose veins and other chronic venous insufficiency.
• Whitened, irregular scar-like patches can appear at the ankles. This is known as atrophie blanche.

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