Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and twisted. The term commonly refers to the veins on the leg, although varicose veins can occur else where. Besides being a cosmetic problem, varicose veins can be painful, especially when standing. Severe long-standing varicose veins can lead to leg swelling, venous eczema, skin thickening and ulceration. Secondary varicose veins are those developing as collateral pathways. Many patients who suffer with varicose veins seek out the assistance of physicians who specialize in vein care or peripheral vascular disease.
Signs and symptoms-Aching, heavy legs (often worse at night and after exercise)
Appearance of spider veins in the affected leg.
-Ankle swelling, especially in evening.
-A brownish-yellow shiny skin discoloration near the affected veins.
-Redness, dryness, and itchiness of areas of skin, termed stasis dermatitis or venous eczema, because of waste products building up in the leg.
-Cramps may develop especially when making a sudden move as standing up.
-Minor injuries to the area may bleed more than normal or take a long time to heal.
-In some people the skin above the ankle may shrink because the fat underneath the skin becomes hard.
-Restless legs syndrome appears to be a common overlapping clinical syndrome in patients with varicose veins and other chronic venous insufficiency.
-Whitened, irregular scar-like patches can appear at the ankles. This is known as atrophie blanche.
Complications-Most varicose veins are reasonably benign, but severe varicosities can lead to major complications, due to the poor circulation through the affected ..
-Pain, tenderness, heaviness, inability to walk or stand for long hours, thus hindering work-Skin conditions / Dermatitis which could predispose skin loss Skin ulcers especially near the ankle, usually referred to as venous ulcers.
-Development of carcinoma or sarcoma in longstanding venous ulcers. Over 100 reported cases of malignant transformation have been reported at a rate reported as 0.4% to 1%.[7]-Severe bleeding from minor trauma, of particular concern in the elderly.-Blood clotting within affected veins, termed superficial thrombophlebitis. These are frequently isolated to the superficial veins, but can extend into deep veins, becoming a more serious problem.
-Acute fat necrosis can occur, especially at the ankle of overweight patients with varicose veins. Females are more frequently affected than males.
Diagnosis
Clinical tests that may be used include:-Trendelenburg test–to determine the site of venous reflux and the nature of the sapheno femoral junction
-Multiple tornique test–to more accurately localize the site of the venous reflux
-Fegan's test–to asses the nature of any perforating vein blow outs
-Perthe's test–to check the patency of the deep veins
-Other more historical/ academic tests include Scwhartz test, and
--Morrisey's cough impulse test.Lower limbs venous ultrasonography has replaced most of the rest.
InvestigationsPatients with varicose veins should now be investigated using lower limbs venous ultrasonography.
AYURVEDA PANCHAKARMA
VIRECHANA
RAKTA MOKSHANA
BASTHI WITH YASTHI MADHU KSHEERA PAKA AND YASTHI MADHU TAILAANUVASANA WITH GTG.
PRANAYAMA should be performed routinely-NAADI SHODHANA PRANAYAMA,KAPALA BHATHI PRANAYAMA,BRAMARI PRANAYAMA.
YOGASANA should be performed on daily basis.-VAJRASANA -TADASANA-SARVANGASANA-MATHSYASANA-PADAHASTHASANA-PAVANAMUKTHASANA.
DIET AND REGIMEN-Restrict Calories Consumed-Eat Plenty of Foods Rich in Vitamin C and fibre rich food.Drink Enough Water,Buckwheat, ginger, rosemary and blueberries.
Avoid refined starches, such as bread, potato, white rice, and pasta.
If you don’t burn the fuel from these starches through physical exertion, it adds to pelvic congestion as excess weight or constipation, which is a background factor in the development of varicose veins.-keep legs raised while sleeping in the night.