Varicose veins? This aesthetic problem is particularly troubling for women. Why?

Scarlet veins are also known by other names, such as spider veins, vascular scarlet veins or, more technically, venectasia or venectasia.

The name derives from their appearance, as they are very reminiscent of a broom, a spider's web or the branching of a tree.

Similar to other dermatological and vascular diseases, broomrapes cause mainly aesthetic problems for their owner.

They range in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres.

They have a dark blue to purple colouration. They are more visible in people with lighter skin types but cannot be missed even on a nicely tanned body.

They are most often seen on the lower legs, but occasionally on other parts of the body and face. They can be really difficult to cover with make-up.

The pathophysiology of the appearance of scarlet veins

Scapular veins are actually vascular extensions. Specifically, they are the smallest blood vessels in the entire vascular system - the hair vessels (capillaries).

Since the hair veins are only superficially located, their extensions are easily visible on the skin.

• Permanent enlargement of the capillaries occurs due to their excessive local blood supply.
• The blood does not flow towards the heart. Instead, it becomes lazy and stagnant or pushes in the opposite direction. The mechanism of blood return is disturbed.
• This pressure causes a long-lasting and persistent weakening of the vascular wall in question, specifically its inner part consisting of smooth muscle and connective tissue.
• Ultimately, this may result in a stiffer connective tissue remodelling that is unalterable.

Explanation of the pathophysiological mechanism: Stagnation of blood means that it stops moving, becomes inactive and becomes stuck in a particular area of the vasculature. The accumulated blood elements create undue pressure in a particular area, thereby weakening the vascular wall.

Why do some people develop broken veins and others do not?

Why me?

That's the question most of us are probably asking ourselves.

Everything has a cause, nothing happens for nothing. There are reasons for the formation of varicose veins. What are they?

Table with the causes of varicose veins:

There are a really large number of triggering factors involved in the formation of broom veins. In most cases it is a combination of these.
It is impossible to avoid all of these causes, but some can be avoided entirely (e.g. alcohol). Others can be mitigated.

Are you also in a high-risk group of people?

Varicose veins can affect anyone. The risk of developing them increases with age and they are more common in women than men. In the Western population, up to 50% of people suffer from them, 30% of whom are women.

People at risk:

• More common in women
• Older people
• obese patients
• pregnant women
• patients with high cholesterol
• patients suffering from diabetes mellitus
• patients with untreated or inadequately treated arterial hypertension
• patients with other vascular diseases
• patients suffering from rosacea
• people addicted to alcohol
• smokers
• drug-dependent patients
• people with sedentary jobs (office workers, professional drivers)
• people with jobs that require standing (waist jobs)

Complications of varicose veins

The repulsive appearance is not the only thing that troubles a patient with venectasias. Pain or swelling are also accompanying phenomena.

The pain is not significant, but its persistence makes it difficult for the patient to function normally during the day. It affects the quality of his sleep during the night.

The swelling is most often found in the lower limbs. The mechanism of the formation of metacarpal veins and the physical phenomenon - gravity - have an influence.

It is the lower limbs that are positioned lower than the rest of the body, and therefore the return of blood to the heart is impaired. This exacerbates blood stasis in this area.

A good prevention is to tighten stockings and raise the legs above the level of the heart whenever possible.

Are they really just an aesthetic problem?

The appearance of a solitary, isolated venectasia can be distressing, especially if it is on an exposed part of the body. It is unsightly and the patient is sometimes embarrassed by the lesion.

However, they do signal an increased risk of developing chronic venous disease and varicose veins (varix) as the condition progresses.

In the case of multiple, branched or even multiple dilated veins, we need to think that something is wrong in our body.

Sometimes they can alarm the presence of another disease that is not so insignificant (e.g. diabetes).

Important: Varicose veins are not a cause of permanent disability or mortality. They may indicate the presence of other diseases, but they do not threaten the patient's life.

Vectasia as an indicator of other diseases

A person's lifestyle is often to blame for the development of venektasias.

Unhealthy eating, excessive alcohol intake, lack of physical activity or sedentary work are among the most common causes.

However, if you live a healthy lifestyle and get enough exercise, their occurrence is unlikely (except for genetic predisposition).

The following diseases are most often responsible for blood stasis in the capillaries and for their weakening:

Prevention of dilated blood vessels

Varicose veins can be prevented by eating right and living a healthy lifestyle.

The exceptions are genetic venektasias and, to some extent, venektasias resulting from other disease causes.

Let's face it. What damages blood vessels the most? Is it fat?

Until a certain time, it was fat that was considered the biggest vascular pest.

To some extent this is true, but it has been found that it is sugars that have the worst effect on the blood vessels. Then it is the aforementioned fats and finally excessive salt intake.

The best diet is raw vegetables, lean meats and plain water without added sugars.

Tip: Sugar, our sweetest enemy

Regular physical activity is the right step towards health

The riskiest occupations for developing broomsticks are those where movement is restricted. This includes all sedentary jobs and those that require standing.

The legs are lowered down and movement of the lower limbs is kept to a minimum. Therefore, it is important, especially for these individuals, to ensure regular physical activity at least several times a week.

Exercise at regular intervals is, of course, recommended for everyone. Muscular work helps to maintain the necessary elasticity of the blood vessels. During exercise, or movement, it is easier to drain the blood from the capillaries and veins.

Tip.

How to get rid of varicose veins easily?

Nowadays, there are several ways to get rid of dilated blood vessels. You just have to decide which one to choose.

However, none of the treatments will ensure that the varicose veins will not reappear elsewhere. Therefore, it is necessary to identify their cause and eliminate the risk factors.

Chemical removal of the scleral veins by sclerotization

The most well-known treatment method for scleral veins is sclerotization.

It involves the injection of various chemicals. After their administration, the inner lining of the blood vessel (endothelium) is disrupted and the vascular lumen is obliterated by an organized thrombus (blood clot).

It works on the principle of relatively rapid closure of the capillary system by the thrombus and its subsequent resorption. The capillaries disappear and turn into a fibrous band. The results are permanent.

Disadvantage of sclerotization: In a few cases, hyperpigmentation may occur at the site of sclerotization. These are usually temporary. If they persist, secondary laser removal is possible.

Electrocoagulation - the number of treatments with an electric needle decreases

Electrocoagulation is also one of the methods of removing the whiskers.

It works on the principle of destroying the unaesthetic tissue and blood vessels (unsightly veins) with heat. An electric needle is used for this and after its application, the blood vessel is closed.

The damaged area is healed with tiny scabs. After healing, the scabs fall off and no trace of the scarlet veins remains.

Disadvantage of electrocoagulation: the disadvantage of this treatment is the pain during the procedure itself. It is for this reason that it is not one of the most sought-after treatments and the number of these procedures is decreasing.

Laser treatment is one of the most popular methods

Laser treatment of blood vessels is one of the most popular procedures in general, and not only in the case of venectasias.

This modern and painless method is sought after by an increasing number of clients and enjoys a high success rate.

There are several types of lasers and also several principles on which they work.

The downside of laser: everything has its pros and cons. With laser treatment of varicose veins, the procedure may have to be repeated (usually 2 or 3 times) for larger skin lesions. However, the final results are permanent.

A breakthrough in the treatment of varicose veins - Veinviewer

A breakthrough on the market is the Veinviewer device. It is a device with an infrared camera that scans the venous system directly through the skin. After identifying the feeder vein that is causing the varicose veins, the procedure itself follows.

The procedure itself involves a laser technique combined with sclerotherapy.

At the same time, the sclerosing agent enhances the effect of the laser. A 5 degree Celsius reduction in local temperature ensures that the procedure itself is painless.

The disadvantage of Veinviewer: no