People associate varicose veins with the elderly. Not true. Even young women (and men) can be afflicted by these.
What are varicose veins?
Veins contain valves, which shut off to prevent the backflow of blood. When these valves malfunction, a pool of blood collects, weakening the walls of the vessel, which, after a time, balloon out and appear swollen. The veins at the back of the knees and legs are often affected. This condition tends to run in families.
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Sometimes the blood in the veins may clot, especially if there is a superficial injury or skin infection. Women on the oral contraceptive pill and smokers are particularly at risk.
Symptoms of varicose veins
Swelling of the ankles
Aching in the legs at the end of the day
Episodes of thrombosis
Eczema of the overlying skin
Ulceration of the skin in severe cases
What your doctor can do for you
Operate to tie off and remove the worst of the veins
Inject fluid to shrink the worst of the veins
Recommend support stockings
Treat varicose ulcers
What you can do for yourself <
There is much you can do, says Dr Alan Stewart, Head of the Women’s Nutritional Advisory Service in the UK.
Try and avoid standing for lengthy periods of time
Eat as little salt as possible
Take Vitamin C – 1g twice daily
Lose weight if you need to
Put your legs up as often as possible to let the fluid drain away from the varicose vein
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