We’ve all seen them — those ropey, purple leg veins that make pants seem like the best fashion option even in the midst of a heatwave. But for many people, varicose veins are much more than a cosmetic issue; they can cause severe discomfort that can hamper mobility and quality of life.
According to Dr. Matthew Jung, vascular surgeon at Baptist Health, varicose veins are a common problem. “Up to 50 percent of the population in our country has valvular dysfunction by the end of their lives,” he says. While this doesn’t mean everyone will require medical care for their varicose veins, it does mean that if a person does experience issues, they are certainly not alone and can easily find a physician who can help them find relief.
The causes of varicose veins are pretty simple: “Gravity and time, and those are tough opponents,” Dr. Jung says. He explains that the body’s system of veins returns blood to the heart, and along that system are valves that keep blood from pooling backward when we stop moving. When valves go bad, as they often do with age, the veins begin to twist and become inflamed because the pooling blood puts increased pressure on the vein walls. This increased pressure causes the veins to twist, but it can also lead to swelling, leg aches, fatigue, and restlessness.
Dr. Jung says heredity is one reason why valves go bad, although excessive weight, lack of movement, and experiencing several pregnancies during one’s life also influence the likelihood that a person will develop varicose veins.
When surgery is needed
At one time, the primary long-term treatment for varicose veins was called vein stripping, a procedure that involved months of recovery and one that Dr. Jung considers pretty barbaric. Fortunately, now patients who require surgical treatment can have it done in office under local anesthesia and with a recovery that is unbelievably quick.
Noninvasive help
Of course, surgery isn’t needed in every single diagnosis of varicose veins. For many people, varicose vein issues can be reduced just by increasing exercise and leg movements. “For pretty much everyone who comes into the office, if it’s appropriate, we put them in compression socks,” Dr. Jung adds. These garments push up against the gravity pushing down on the veins. Elevating the legs and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are two other measures that can alleviate symptoms.
By Carrie Vittitoe
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