If you have unattractive, enlarged blue or purple veins on the thigh or calf, you have Varicose Veins. This is a symptom of venous disease.
Varicose Veins is a frequently occurring condition with up to 40% of women and 20% of men likely to suffer from such a disease, from symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and swelling of the lower limbs. Soft tissue breakdown leading to ulceration can result if Varicose Veins are left untreated.
You may also suffer from cosmetically unappealing spider veins. While these do not cause the symptoms above, these too can cause concern, as you may feel compromised in your attractiveness and quality of life owing to the existence of these highly visible, small veins on your legs.
The medical term for varicose veins is varices or venous insufficiency. The key function of the venous system is to transport deoxygenated blood from the various organs and parts of the body back to the heart. In healthy veins, valves located within the veins prevent the venous blood from returning back down the leg. When these valves no longer function correctly the vein is termed ‘incompetent’ and venous blood collects in the veins, causing them to enlarge.
The result is visible ‘Varicose Veins’ that are the cause of the pain, swelling, and discomfort you may feel in your lower limbs.
This is an indication of malfunction of the venous system and should be investigated by a vascular specialist to help prevent potentially more serious problems arising later. |
