AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

        Varicose veins are enlarged tortuous veins that can be flesh colored, dark purple or blue. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. It may be by birth or acquired during life.

        Varicose veins are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose veins called hemorrhoids can form in the vagina or around the anus.

        It may be primary or secondary. Primary varicose veins are due to defect in wall or valves of the veins. Secondary veins are due to proximal obstruction to flow.

        Varicose veins cause disfigurement, eczema, ulcer, leg cramps and bleeding from wounds. Varicose veins are diagnosed by clinical examination, duplex scanning and venogram, says Dr S Sathyanarayanan, vascular surgeon.

        Usually long, thin persons with history of long hours of standing (conductors/policemen), there will be long tortuous veins of leg usually in the inner thighs with colour changes, ulcer in the leg above the ankle. People will have leg pain more in the nights.

        Cutaneous telangectatic usually in the obese females are treated by conservative measures.

        Limb elevation at rest and wearing elastic stockings at work usually suffice but in symptomatic cases surgery is advised.

        Veins are set of vessels carrying blood to heart (arteries carry blood from heart). These are two sets of veins. They are superficial and deep.

        There are connecting veins between these two in varicose veins which are superficial veins which because of proximal leak of valves or block become tortuous elongated with stagnant blood. When we eliminate gravity by keeping the limb elevated blood returns to heart with ease.

        Surgery usually arrests the leak usually at groin level and removing the tortuous leaking veins.

        In isolated veins, injection of sclerosant helps. Laser surgery usually is effective and less painful, achieves significant success rate in selected cases.

        Medicines usually as venotonic drugs are effective to some extent and usually advised along with compressive dressing, says Dr Sathyanarayanan of Srichakra Hospital Medical Education & Research Centre, Nanganallur.

        People prone to the disease are those having family members with vein problems or being born with weak vein valves.

        Hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone also increase the risk of varicose .

        During pregnancy, there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding uterus also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months after delivery. A growing number of abnormal veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy

        Obesity, leg injury, prolonged standing as said above and other things that weaken vein valves.

        Sun exposure, which can cause spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fair-skinned person.