Enlarged and twisted veins that can occur anywhere in the body, but are most common in the legs.
Swollen, tortuous vein with abnormally functioning valves. It is a common condition, usually affecting the veins of the legs; it is more common in women than men and often associated with congenitally weak valves, pregnancy, obesity, or thrombophlebitis. Symptoms include pain, muscle cramps, and a feeling of heaviness in the legs. Elevation of the legs and the use of elastic stockings often help. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.
Twisted, often enlarged veins in the legs and other body areas such as the rectum, the vagina, and the esophagus. Causes may be occupational, such as a job that requires standing for long periods, as well as obesity, pregnancy, constipation, and liver disease. Treatment depends on the location and severity of the varicose veins.
Enlarged, twisted, stretched veins, usually close to the surface of the skin and visible as soft, bluish, bulging curves. Varicose veins are most likely to affect the feet and legs, can cause the legs to ache, and can bleed if injured. When deep veins are involved, the leg may swell and skin ulcers may develop, usually near the ankles. The skin typically turns brown before a skin ulcer appears. People with varicose veins should avoid sitting or standing for long periods. Elevating the legs at least 12 inches above the heart at the end of the day helps relieve swelling. If an ulcer appears, it should be treated by a doctor to prevent infection and gangrene (death of the tissue). Mild to moderate varicose veins can be treated with laser therapy or sclerotherapy (the injection of a solution into the veins to decrease blood flow to an affected area).
Veins that are distended, lengthened, and tortuous. The superficial veins (saphenous veins) of the legs are most commonly affected; other sites include the rectum (hemorrhoids) and testes (varicocele). There is an inherited tendency to varicose veins but obstruction to blood flow is responsible in some cases. Complications including thrombosis, phlebitis, and hemorrhage may occur. Treatment includes elastic support and sclerotherapy, but avulsion (stripping) or excision (phlebectomy) is required in some cases.
An enlarged, dilated superficial vein. This condition may occur in almost any part of the body but is most common in the lower extremities and in the esophagus.
A condition in which the superficial veins, especially of the legs, become distended, lengthened and tortuous.
A persistent condition characterized by the permanent enlargement and entwining of veins, commonly occurring in the lower extremities. This occurrence is frequently observed in individuals engaged in occupations that involve prolonged standing and in pregnant women.
Swollen, twisted veins that are visible just under the skin are known as varicose veins. While they are most frequently found in the legs, they can also appear in the anus, esophagus, and scrotum.
Varicose veins occur when the valves in the leg’s perforating veins, which connect the superficial veins near the skin to the deeper veins, malfunction. This leads to blood pooling in the superficial veins, causing them to swell and twist. Contributing factors include obesity, hormonal fluctuations, pressure on the pelvic veins during pregnancy, changes related to menopause, and prolonged standing. The condition is common, often hereditary, and more frequently affects women than men.
Varicose veins can range from being asymptomatic to causing significant discomfort, including severe aching and swelling in the feet and ankles. Persistent itching may also be an issue. Symptoms can intensify throughout the day but may be alleviated by elevating the legs. For women, symptoms can worsen just before their menstrual period. In extreme cases, leg ulcers may form. Additionally, varicose veins may be linked to thrombophlebitis, which is the inflammation and clotting of blood within the veins.
Typically, the condition can be managed through wearing compression stockings, engaging in frequent walks, and elevating the feet whenever possible. For more serious cases, sclerotherapy might be recommended. Surgical removal, known as vein stripping, may be necessary if the veins become painful or result in ulcers. However, it’s possible for varicose veins to reappear in other locations later on.
A condition where veins, typically in the legs, become enlarged and twisted. Veins have valves to prevent blood from pooling, and leg muscles help push blood upwards from the lower leg to the thigh. When veins expand, the valves fail, causing blood to fall back and pool, leading to poor skin blood supply and potentially causing varicose ulcers. Treatment options include surgery or injections for less severe cases. Varicose veins can be safely removed because there are two vein sets in the legs: one deep within the muscles and one just beneath the skin. Removing the visible, superficial veins doesn’t affect overall circulation due to the deeper veins. Hemorrhoids are varicose veins located in the rectum.