Varicose veins are twisted, swollen veins that most commonly affect the legs. The condition develops when the valves inside the veins are unable to flow the blood to the heart. This blood flows backwards and pools in the veins. Most people who suffer from varicose veins may not develop any complications, but if they do, they need to seek immediate varicose veins treatment.
Varicose veins diagnosis
If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, severe swelling, feeling of heaviness and skin discolouration in any of your limbs, it is important to see a vascular specialist. The doctor will do a physical examination and may request you imaging tests such as X-Ray, CT scan and MRI scan to check for the presence of blood clots in the veins. These tests may be followed by a colour doppler scan that will provide the visual images of the veins to the vascular specialist.
Here are some complications that varicose veins can lead to:
- Blood clots: Often varicose veins lead to the formation of blood clots, making your skin appear red and swollen. It may also cause pain. This condition is known as superficial venous thrombosis as it affects only the surface of the skin. Though it is not as serious a condition as deep vein thrombosis, in some cases it can spread from the surface veins to the deep veins.
- Deep vein thrombosis: When blood clots are formed in the veins located deep inside the skin, it’s called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). DVT usually develops in the thigh or lower leg. A person with DVT may experience pain, swelling and redness on the affected limb. The condition is diagnosed with blood tests, ultrasound and other imaging tests. It is important to seek medical treatment for DVT. Though DVT itself is not life-threatening, it can lead to pulmonary embolism (PE) and postthrombotic syndrome. Pulmonary embolism can lead to low oxygen levels in the blood, which can damage the lung and other organs. The postthrombotic syndrome can lead to chronic leg pain, swelling, redness and ulcers. It can adversely affect the quality of life as the pain and discomfort associated with the condition are long-term. The best thing to do is to seek varicose veins treatment.
- Chronic venous insufficiency: Not seeking timely treatment for varicose veins can lead to chronic venous insufficiency. A person with chronic venous insufficiency will experience swelling in the legs and ankles after standing for too long. He or she will feel pain in the legs and new varicose veins may develop. The skin near the affected areas may itch and become dry and flaky. As the condition worsens, the complexities of treatment also increase.
- Venous ulcers: Venous ulcers are wounds that occur because of poor blood circulation in the body. Those who suffer from varicose veins are at high risk of developing venous ulcers. They are often accompanied by a foul-smelling fluid discharge. They are very difficult to heal and can cause extreme pain. They can last from a few weeks to even years.
How to avoid these complications?
If you have any symptoms of a vein-related problem, see a vascular expert immediately. The problem will not go away if you wait. The earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the better your chances of preventing serious complications.
Varicose veins treatment at Avis Vascular Centre
At Avis Vascular Centre, you can seek expert medical advice regarding the treatment of varicose veins. We offer painless and minimally invasive laser treatment for varicose veins. The thin laser fibre seals the healthy veins without damaging the healthy ones. Seeking timely treatment for varicose veins can prevent the condition from leading to complications that we discussed above.