When the valves in the veins of legs fail, blood starts to pool in the veins. As a result, the veins get swollen. This condition is called varicose veins.<\/p>\r\n
Myth 1: <\/b>Varicose veins are not dangerous and are purely a cosmetic issue<\/b><\/h2>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
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Some people think that these are just a cosmetic issue hence they are not dangerous. As a result, they may end up ignoring treatment.<\/p>\r\n
Varicose veins may not show symptoms during the initial stages. But you may notice that your veins may be –\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
- \r\n
- turning blue or dark purple in color,<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- bulging,<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- twisting on legs.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
It is advisable to consult a doctor at this stage since consultation at an early stage might help you prevent surgery.<\/p>\r\n
If you ignore varicose veins at early stages (stage 1 and stage 2), then they might worsen over time. As they worsen, you may start noticing the following symptoms:<\/p>\r\n
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- heavy and painful feeling in the legs<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- throbbing, burning, swelling and muscle cramping<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- increased pain after prolonged periods of sitting<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- itchy feeling<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
When they are ignored and left untreated, it may lead to further complications.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cWhen varicose veins of grade III and grade IV are ignored, it may lead to further complications like non-healing skin ulcers which can turn into skin cancer and\/or veins could burst and bleed\u201d, says Dr. Bhaskar<\/a>, a consultant Interventional Radiologist at Medfin.<\/p>\r\n
Considering all these factors, it is advisable to consult a doctor<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n
Myth 2: <\/b><\/strong>Varicose veins are an inevitable sign of aging<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
![\"varicose](\"https:\/\/blog-revamp.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/13134711\/Varicose_Veins_are_inevitable_sign_of_aging-182x300-1.png\")
It does not necessarily mean that you will get this condition just because you are getting older but aging is one of the risk factors.<\/p>\r\nHere are the other factors that might contribute to the condition:<\/p>\r\n
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- Pregnancy<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Heredity<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Obesity<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Prolonged sitting or standing<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n
Myth: <\/strong>Running can cause varicose veins<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
On the contrary, it helps improve varicose veins in some cases.<\/p>\r\n
Blood travels throughout the human body through blood vessels.<\/p>\r\n
There are two types of blood vessels, they are veins (carries blood to the heart from various parts of the body) and arteries (carries blood from the heart to various parts of the body).<\/p>\r\n
Blood vessels have unidirectional valves that control the direction of the flow of blood. Sometimes, these valves in the veins fail to control the direction of blood flow. As a result, the blood starts pooling leading to this health condition.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cPeople who do not have good calf strength are at a higher risk of developing varicose veins\u201d, says Dr. Shashidar, a Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon in Bangalore.<\/p>\r\n
He further adds: \u201cA<\/strong>ll the exercises which strengthen their calf muscles like cycling, running among other exercises improve the condition.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Therefore, running might be beneficial.<\/p>\r\n
Fact: Standing on the job causes this disease<\/b><\/h2>\r\n
\u201cThe professions which involve standing for long periods of time are the fourth most common causes of varicose veins\u201d, says Dr. Shashidar, a Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon in Bangalore.<\/p>\r\n
He further adds that \u201cWhen you stand for long periods time, the veins lose its tension leading to varicose veins\u201d.<\/p>\r\n
Therefore, you are at risk of varicose veins if you stand for prolonged periods of time at your job.<\/p>\r\n
Myth: Making lifestyle changes won’t help <\/b><\/h2>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
\u201cWhen a patient with varicose veins wears compression stockings, it compresses the veins and improves the venous tone,” says Dr. Shashidar<\/a>, a Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon in Bangalore.<\/p>\r\n
According to Dr. Shashidar, people who do not have good calf strength are at a higher risk of developing this. Exercises like cycling and running (the exercises that strengthen the calf muscles) improve it.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
\u201cWhen varicose veins are in early stages, we can treat them with conservative management like change in occupation\/lifestyle\u201d, says Dr. Bhaskar, a consultant Interventional Radiologist at Medfin.<\/p>\r\n
Therefore, making lifestyle changes do help in improvement.<\/p>\r\n
Myth: <\/strong>Surgery <\/strong>i<\/strong>s your o<\/strong>nly treatment option<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
\u201cTreatment for varicose veins depends on its grade. If it is in initial stages then it can be treated by applying compression stockings and change in occupation\/lifestyle\u201d, says Dr. Bhaskar, a consultant interventional radiologist in Sparsh Hospital, Bangalore.<\/p>\r\n
![\"Image](\"https:\/\/blog-revamp.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/13134742\/Surgery_is_the_only_treatment_option_for_varicose_Veins-268x300-1.png\")
He further adds, \u201cIn higher grades of varicose veins, we have to use Surgical Method or Minimally Invasive Method to prevent further progression and to treat the condition\u201d.<\/p>\r\nThere are latest minimally invasive procedures like EVLT & Sclerotherapy that are daycare procedures. Daycare procedure means the patient can go home on the same day of surgery. These procedures have minimal blood loss and minimal post-operative care.<\/p>\r\n
Therefore, apart from surgery, there are other treatment options as well.<\/p>\r\n
Fact: <\/b><\/strong>Varicose veins can be cured<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
Yes, it is possible.<\/p>\r\n
As we discussed above, there are treatment options to cure the condition.<\/p>\r\n
Myth: <\/b><\/strong>Only old people have varicose veins<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
As people age, the risk of developing this disease increases.<\/p>\r\n
Apart from age, hereditary, profession, pregnancy and obesity are also risk factors. Therefore, there is a possibility people can develop it at a relatively younger age.=<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- Heredity<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- throbbing, burning, swelling and muscle cramping<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- bulging,<\/span><\/li>\r\n