The everyday ailment causing DEADLY blood clots – are YOU suffering from varicose veins?

Varicose veins can be unsightly and painful, but are they deadly too?

ARE YOU one of the many Brits who associates varicose veins with old ladies? You might well be surprised to hear the truth.

Varicose veins can be painful and unsightly, especially for ladies who feel conscious wearing a skirt in the summer months.  

But are they really just for old ladies? No, Professor Mark Whiteley of The Whiteley Clinic has explained. 

 

NewsNewsBlog.blogspot.com asked Prof Whiteley everything you wanted to know about the veiny condition - and the truth is shocking. 

Could you be suffering from a deadly blood clot? Read on to find out signs, symptoms and treatments for varicose veins. 

Why have I developed varicose veins?

PW: "There is a stereotype that it is only the old and the overweight that will suffer from varicose veins. In reality up to 30% of all adults will be affected by them and, contrary to popular belief, the condition is hereditary and can strike at any time of life. 

"For those of us who do have an underlying venous condition, varicose veins occur when valves in our leg veins stop working properly, allowing the blood to fall backwards down the veins the wrong way. In their simplest form, varicose veins can be identified as the bulging veins which protrude from the legs. 

"However, shockingly, up to half of all varicose veins sufferers will show no overt signs of the condition until they cause a complication, as the troublesome veins remain hidden deeper under the skin."

 





This diagram shows how varicose veins are formed





Will they get worse? - Will they cause other problems?

PW: "Up to 89% of people who believe they are suffering from harmless thread veins on the surface of their skin are actually displaying signs of hidden varicose veins. 

"The majority of people will simply ignore these veins as they assume them to be a 'cosmetic condition', and so either ignore them or go for simple treatments, without getting a proper scan to find out what is going on deeper in their legs.

"The truth is that, if not investigated and treated correctly, varicose veins are likely to get worse. In some people this is only visually, aching or ankle swelling. 

"However in others this can lead to more concerning problems such as blood clots (phlebitis), skin damage and leg ulceration. Indeed, research suggests that up to 1 in 20 people with 'simple' varicose veins will go onto leg ulceration if left untreated. Hence if you spot a seemingly 'harmless' bulging varicose vein on the surface of the skin, you should consider getting it checked by a specialist as in many cases this can be a sign of an underlying venous issue."

 



Anyone who suffers with varicose veins should keep a keen eye on them and their health



Can they be treated?

PW: "Today, there are a number of cutting-edge endovenous techniques available for treating varicose veins both quickly and effectively. For example, endovenous pin-hole surgery (which I introduced into the UK) using radiofrequency or endovenous laser, and newer procedures such as Clarivein, Glue, foam sclerotherapy, pelvic vein embolisation and TRLOP.

"Unfortunately many health professionals are unaware of the existence of these newer, more effective treatments and how to use them to their best advantage, which is why it is always really important to go and see a veins specialist who deals with venous conditions day in day out."

How are varicose veins diagnosed? - What is a duplex ultrasound scan?

PW: "My advice would always be if you are concerned that you’re suffering from a venous condition, go and see a vascular consultant who specialises in varicose veins who should work in a team with vascular technologists who are specialists in venous duplex ultrasound scanning. 

"This will reveal any hidden problems and, from this, your consultant will be able to decide on the best course of treatment. 

"This is now also recommended by NICE (National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence) in their Guidelines who state that anyone with varicose veins and symptoms, should be assessed by a team of people working together and should have a venous duplex ultrasound. Interestingly, and as those of use involved in research know, a doctor doing their own scan does not comply with these guidelines as there is a higher chance they will miss vein problems. 

"The scan is so essential to good diagnosis and planning the treatment it should always be done by a specialist who does these scans all of the time – a person usually called as Vascular Technologist."

 

This picture shows the reality of suffering with the condition

Would it help my varicose veins if I made some changes to my lifestyle?

PW: "Lifestyle changes will not stop you from developing varicose veins, but there are a few measures that can be taken to help you to suppress their development. For example, when you sit for extended periods, the muscles in your legs that normally help pump blood aren’t used very much. 

"As a result, in patients with varicose veins or hidden varicose veins, the blood falls backwards down the leg veins. The blood can then pool in the lower leg, increasing swelling and the risk of making the veins even worse."

To keep your leg muscles in working form, try not to sit in the same position for long periods and go for walks regularly."

Will compression stockings help?

PW: "Patients newly diagnosed with varicose veins are commonly instructed by GPs to wear support stockings to see if symptoms improve. Although they may relieve the pain, as soon as you remove the stockings the veins will return, as they do nothing to correct the underlying venous problem. 

"However they are very useful in relieving symptoms when waiting for your diagnosis or treatment and are often used during the treatment to help some of the techniques work better."

For more information about treatments offered by The Whiteley Clinic please visit: www.thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk