Varicose Veins

What exactly are varicose veins?  

Varicose veins are bluish blood vessels, often visible at the back of the knee, or on the lower leg and ankle.  They are fairly common and, in the long term, many people will develop them at some point.

But what are varicose veins precisely? Simply put, they are expanded, swollen and twisted veins in which the venous valves are no longer functioning properly.  When standing or sitting, the blood in these pathologically altered veins is no longer transported back rapidly enough to the heart.  This results in so-called vascular congestion.  

Varicose veins usually don’t constitute a serious medical condition.  For many people, they are simply a cosmetic concern, while for other varicose veins cause aching pain and discomfort.  Nevertheless, if this venous disease progresses, it can cause much more severe issues like venous leg ulcers.

Signs and symptoms of varicose veins

Varices can lead to symptoms like:

  • Heavy and tired legs
  • Aching and/or swollen legs 
  • Muscle cramps in your legs at night, particularly the calf muscles
  • Dry and itchy skin in the affected area, which may sometimes be discolored
  • Varices may also hinder wound healing, due to the tissue being under-supplied with blood

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms and a medical professional recommends treatment, there are a few options available.  Compression, for example, is an effective method of relieving the symptoms: at JOBST, we have a range of medical compression stockings  specially designed to counteract varicose veins and other venous symptoms.  Additionally, exercising regularly and elevating your legs when you sit or lie down is highly beneficial.  If you’re still in discomfort, or have any concerns, consult your doctor – they can help you further.

But how do varicose veins form, and what’s the cause?

How JOBST Products Can Help

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