Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted or swollen veins, that usually appear on the legs or feet, just beneath the surface of the skin and are commonly caused due to defect in the valves within the veins that allow blood to flow in the wrong direction, often appearing in blue or dark purple. Varicose veins can occur in any part of the body but most commonly affect the legs. Legs are generally affected by varicose veins because of the pressure that is exerted on the legs due to prolonged sitting and standing hours or due to obesity. Every year, more than 23 percent of adults are estimated to be affected by varicose veins.
Varicose veins is a medical condition that takes place when veins in any particular part of the body are under increased pressure and blood is pushed back towards the heart. The increased pressure and force in blood flow results in the damage or weakening of the valves that lie within the veins, causing the blood to pool and even flow backwards which leads the veins to bulge out and become visible through the skin.
Saphenous/Trunk varicose veins
Reticular varicose veins
Spider or Thread veins
In this stage, small, thin damaged veins appear on the surface of the skin, usually in the legs and face. Usually, they do not cause any harm and are painless.
Varicose veins might not be a medical emergency and most of the cases go untreated until it leads to complications like blood clots or thrombophlebitis, bleeding around the skin and non-healing ulcers around the ankle that cause decomposition of the skin. It is important to seek medical assistance if you notice signs like sores or ulcers, bleeding, feeling of pain and heat around the veins, and swelling, as it can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and can also lead to potentially life-threatening conditions like pulmonary embolism.
The treatment of varicose veins and certain other vascular problems can be covered under a health insurance policy at Pristyn Care in India. You can get in touch with our medical coordinators to gather more information and related queries for getting your varicose veins treated in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
The process of recovery depends upon the severity of the condition and method of treatment. It usually takes two to four weeks to recover from a varicose vein surgery. During the initial days of the surgery, the doctor will advise you to stay off of your feet and it is important for you to keep your legs elevated while you are in a sitting or sleeping position as much as possible. You should avoid heavy lifting and refrain from performing any strenuous activities during the initial few weeks after the surgery.
The doctor will ask you to walk and pump your ankles as much as possible as it will help in keeping the blood flow intact in your legs during the process of recovery. The surgeon will prescribe certain medications, in order to help you manage any sort of pain or discomfort. With the introduction of advanced minimally-invasive procedures, the recovery as well as success rate of certain vascular diseases like varicose veins has been reduced to a greater extent over the due course of time.
Almost like in every other condition, surgeries do not necessarily end up solving the problem. Properly following the instructions of the doctor, as well as taking adequate measures during the recovery period is a vital factor in ensuring the best possible outcome. Generally, varicose veins do not lead to any severe health conditions, but can lead to complications like pain, blood clots, DVT, ulcers and other vascular problems. Surgery and other procedures of treatment can help in reducing the pain and other symptoms, including the appearance of the legs. The surgical treatment of varicose veins is successful in most cases, however, there are a number of factors that increase the chances of recurrence, such as obesity, pregnancy, or the development of incompetence in a pre-existing vein, which had not been ligated by the previous surgeon.
On 6th of September, a 50-year old female patient came to us with large bulging veins in both thighs and lower legs. As a teacher, her occupation involves prolonged standing hours on a daily basis. By the end of the day, her legs were extremely fatigued and for several hours she would keep her legs elevated in order to feel better.
She got in touch with one of the best vascular surgeons at Pristyn Care- Dr. Sanjit Gogoi and had a thorough and detailed consultation. Her primary concern was about the unsightly aesthetic appearance of the Varicose veins. But, upon examination and further questioning, she revealed that she had been experiencing heaviness, redness, tiredness and throbbing in her lower legs. Dr. Sanjit recommended her to go for a duplex ultrasound which revealed that she had a Great Saphenous Vein, which was directly feeding the surface of the varicose veins in her thigh.
Since it was already revealed that she had an underlying feeding vein, Dr. Sanjit decided to begin the treatment with Endovenous Laser Ablation [EVLA] of the Great Saphenous Veins. This procedure would be followed by an Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy of the surface tributaries and directed Microphlebectomy of the larger surface of varicose veins.
The EVLA procedure on both of the legs took approximately 45 mins to complete and the patient was able to walk immediately after the treatment. Dr. Sanjit prescribed her to keep wearing a class 2 compression stocking and had also told her to expect some slight discomfort and bruising in the legs during the days following the surgery.
Additionally Dr. Sanjit recommended her for two follow up appointments to treat the surface veins in each leg. Each of these appointments lasted for an hour and were performed within the gap of two weeks.
Today, Miss Anita Kumari is an extremely happy patient who did not only get results from a cosmetic perspective, but also from a health perspective. She no longer suffers from venous problems and is able to return to work with full capacity.
How common are varicose veins?
About 23% of all adults have varicose veins and the condition is more common in women than men.
Does drinking water help varicose veins?
Drinking water and staying hydrated can help in improving the strength of the muscles that support the veins.
What exercise is best for varicose veins?
Exercises like walking, cycling, biking, swimming and running help in building the calf muscles, which help in proper blood circulation in the legs.
Does massage help varicose veins?
Massage can provide temporary relief from the pain and discomfort. However, intense pressure from a massage can end up worsening the condition because the exerted pressure can cause the already weakened veins to burst and increases the risk of pulmonary embolism.
Every surgery at Pristyn Care is done using the most advanced and USFDA-approved medical technology and equipment. Being one of the leading health tech startups in India, dedicated to simplifying the surgical experience of every patient, we provide end-to-end facilities to our patients and give complete assistance in their treatment journey. Pristyn Care ensures that a patient has a care-filled and hassle-free experience. You can book an appointment and get in touch with our doctors virtually from the comfort of your home or anywhere by dialing on the given numbers or by filling up the ‘Book Appointment’ form below.
During the initial consultation, the doctor will have a detailed discussion with you and will carry out a diagnosis of your condition. After a thorough assessment, the doctor will come up with the best treatment plan for you and take you through all the necessary steps to get your varicose veins treated in the most effective and efficient way.