Posts for tag: Werter
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and at times painful veins that have filled with an abnormal amount of blood. Normal veins have valves in the vein keep blood moving forward toward the heart. In varicose veins the valves do not function properly allowing the blood to remain in the vein. This pooling of blood causes the vein to enlarge. Varicose veins typically occur in the veins of the legs, where the valves are the most important.
Besides having visible, enlarged veins, varicose veins can also show with mild swelling around the ankles, brown skin color at the ankles, or sometimes an throbbing pain in the legs. The pain in the legs can be due to the large veins pushing against and irritating the surrounding nerves. If the swelling becomes sever, skin wounds can develop around the ankle. These symptoms are made worse by standing or sitting with the legs dangled for long periods. Varicose veins occur due to defective vain valves from birth, pregnancy, or blood clots.
Varicose Veins are diagnosed based on the appearance of leg veins. A physician may confirm the diagnosis by ordering an ultrasound exam of the leg. An ultrasound will allow the physician to see the blood flow in the vein and rule out other disorders of circulation. Treatment of varicose veins is typically conservative and very simple. Avoiding extensive standing and sitting with the legs dangled is critical. It is also advised that patients raise their legs while resting or sleeping and wear an elastic support hose to help the blood return to the heart. More intense therapy includes laser and radio ablation or the veins. Surgery to remove varicose veins is typically reserved for patient who are having tremendous pain or have developed skin ulcers. If you are experiencing varicose veins, see your physician right away as these veins tend to get worse over time but are easily slowed with simple treatments.
By Dr. Scott Werter of Coastal Podiatry Associates, Myrtle Beach SC.