Varicose veins: what are varicose veins and how are they treated | |||||||||
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Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins (usually in the legs) that are blue or purple in appearance. They might also look lumpy or bulging.   |
 Varicose veins in the foot ©Rex |
They can make legs feel heavy so a 10-minute walk can seem like a 10-hour walk even for a fit person.
Throbbing can be felt (and even seen through thin clothing) and the skin can become dry and itchy around the affected vein.
Those who experience discomfort because of their varicose veins often find that the pain is worse at nighttime and they might even be woken up by it.
Warm weather or extended periods of standing also aggravate the pain.
Are varicose veins dangerous?
Most cases of varicose vein aren’t dangerous.Aside from their unsightly appearance and discomfort, varicose veins don’t necessarily lead to other health problems.
In some cases, however, they might lead to complications, but this is usually many years after the varicose veins first appear and it’s also more likely in people who have experienced significant discomfort.
Treatment isn’t usually necessary from a health point of view.
Who gets varicose veins?
Varicose veins start to appear as we get older (in women, this is typically in our forties), but in reality they can affect people at any age. According to the WI, 20 per cent of women in their 30s have varicose veins.Stretching of the vein walls and weakening of the vein valves occurs in some people for no apparent reason.
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing varicose veins: family history, age, being overweight, pregnancy, occupation (e.g. jobs that require long periods of standing).
Finally, gender makes a difference as more women are affected by varicose veins then men. And although men can be affected by varicose veins, their body hair and the fact that most of them aren't bothered about wearing skirts make it less of an aesthetic concern.
 Emma Thompson after varicose vein treatment © MCMULLAN CO/SIPA |
Here are a just a few female celebrities who have been affected by varicose veins:
- Britney Spears, singer, 29
- Kristin Davis, actress, 46
- June “Dot Cotton” Brown, actress, 84
- Emma Thompson, actress, 52
- Ulrika Jonsson, TV presenter, 44
Beauty Editor
20/10/2011
20/10/2011
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Article Plan
Varicose veins
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- Varicose veins - treatment and prevention information
- Varicose veins surgey | Varicose veins removal
- Compression stockings as treatment for varicose veins
- Ligation and stripping surgical treatment for varicose veins
- Ambulatory (or hook) phlebectomy treatment for varicose veins
- Sclerotherapy treatment for varicose veins
- Endovenous laser treatment (ELVT) treatment for varicose veins
- Radiofrequency ablation (or VNUS Closure) treatment for varicose veins
- Transilluminated powered phlebectomy (TIPP) treatment for varicose veins
- ClariVein treatment for varicose veins
- Preventing varicose veins
- Varicose veins pregnancy
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