BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuVaricose veins overview Varicose veins describe a condition in which the veins become twisted and enlarged, especially in the lower limbs. This is caused by a malfunction of valves in the veins resulting in blood accumulation, hence the characteristic bulging and twisting. The condition is typically asymptomatic although symptoms such as itching, heaviness, and arching can be aggravated by prolonged standing or walking or towards the end of the day. The cause of varicose veins is unknown. Although it can occur during pregnancy and resolve after childbirth. In less common cases they can be due to congenital absence or incompetence of valves in the veins. Predisposing factors include gender (usually female), age, family history, prior pregnancy, standing or sitting for prolonged periods, obesity, and the use of oral contraceptives. Treatment of varicose veins includes the use of compression stockings combined with leg elevation, as well as sclerotherapy or surgery depending on the severity. Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which affected veins are injected with a sodium solution. Surgical intervention involves the ligation and stripping of veins in the legs. Treatment can improve the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins, however it does not prevent new varicose veins from forming. Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersAllVideoImagesTog Review Date: 7/25/2022 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Varicose veins overview Varicose veins describe a condition in which the veins become twisted and enlarged, especially in the lower limbs. This is caused by a malfunction of valves in the veins resulting in blood accumulation, hence the characteristic bulging and twisting. The condition is typically asymptomatic although symptoms such as itching, heaviness, and arching can be aggravated by prolonged standing or walking or towards the end of the day. The cause of varicose veins is unknown. Although it can occur during pregnancy and resolve after childbirth. In less common cases they can be due to congenital absence or incompetence of valves in the veins. Predisposing factors include gender (usually female), age, family history, prior pregnancy, standing or sitting for prolonged periods, obesity, and the use of oral contraceptives. Treatment of varicose veins includes the use of compression stockings combined with leg elevation, as well as sclerotherapy or surgery depending on the severity. Sclerotherapy is a procedure in which affected veins are injected with a sodium solution. Surgical intervention involves the ligation and stripping of veins in the legs. Treatment can improve the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins, however it does not prevent new varicose veins from forming. Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers
