varicose vein

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varicose vein,

superficial vessel that is abnormally lengthened, twisted, or dilated, seen most often on the legs and thighs. Varicose veins develop spontaneously, and are usually attributed to a hereditary weakness of the vein; the valves in the vein that keep the blood circulating upward toward the heart are usually incompetent. Increased pressure from long standing or exertion, or internal factors such as pregnancy, or lessened support by the tissues surrounding the veins that occurs with aging and obesity causes the weakened veins to dilate. Mild varicosities often cause no discomfort. Persons with more severe cases may develop swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet, and local eczema or ulcers. Mild varicosities may be treated with rest, elevation of the legs, and the use of elastic bandages or stockings. In severe cases surgical treatment may be necessary. Traditional surgery involves tying off and removing a vein segment. Varicose veins may now also be treated without removing them through an endoscopic surgical procedure that uses the heat produced by radio waves or a laser to seal off the veins. Varicose veins that occur around the rectum are called hemorrhoidshemorrhoids
or piles,
dilatations of the veins about the anus (external hemorrhoids) or those higher up inside it (internal hemorrhoids). They appear as small, rounded, purplish tumors, often complicated by inflammation, clotting, and bleeding.
..... Click the link for more information. , and those that form in the scrotum are called varicoceles.

varicose vein

[′var·ə‚kōs ′vān]

(anatomy)

An enlarged tortuous blood vessel that occurs chiefly in the superficial veins and their tributaries in the lower extremities. Also known as varicosity.

References in periodicals archive ?

While 15-20% of UK adults have varicose veins which bulge from the leg when standing, another 15-20% have hidden varicose veins with inflammation at the ankle, caused by blood falling down the main leg veins.

Varicose veins; What causes them and how can you prevent them? Varicose veins affect a third of UK adults. LISA SALMON finds out more

When the valves of the superficial system are weak or damaged, blood can back up and pool, which can cause varicose veins that are enlarged, swollen or twisted.

Rashid Hospital is region's first to offer varicose vein treatment using adhesive

It's obviously a sign of my age that my friends have stopped fretting about cellulite and started agonising over varicose veins.

WHY YOU SHOULD BE VAIN ABOUT YOUR VEINS; Leg veins are often dismissed as a cosmetic problem, but now experts are saying there are good reasons why they should never be ignored. Our beauty ed Lynne Hyland investigates

The affected limb was raised one to two minutes after EVLT, a tourniquet was tied, and the varicose vein was stripped.

The endovenous laser treatment for patients with varicose veins

For some with unsightly varicose veins or bunion toes, this can spell trouble.

You can be back on your feet in no time after ops; Summer usually means bare legs and flip flops, but many people face an uphill battle to get the perfect pins. Here, Nuffield Health's Cardiff & Vale Hospitals offer some expert tips to ensure our legs and feet are in tip-top condition

It should be noted that two of our patients had their minds set on immediate surgery, as their respective doctors had referred them for varicose vein stripping.

Varicose veins: look before you strip--the occluded inferior vena cava and other lurking pathologies

If the disease is left untreated, the deep venous system can be damaged and more varicose veins can occur.

Treatment of varicose veins ELVeS RadialAO especially appropriate for patients at risk - further info

More importantly, however, is the work that she's doing as a health and fitness advocate, which includes her latest partnership with Rethink Varicose Veins.

Summer Sanders: the Olympic champion carries the torch for varicose vein awareness

Varicose veins results from a chronic dilatation of the veins, a condition called "varicosity.

Varicose veins

When veins become abnormally thick, full of twists or enlarged, they are called varicose veins and are most often found in the legs.

Promising treatment for varicose and spider veins

While the old method of varicose vein removal (vein stripping) involved slicing open skin and physically pulling the unsightly vein from the body, laser vein removal merely involves the insertion of a needle into the culprit vein.

LASER VARICOSE VEIN REMOVAL OFFERED AT RENAISSANCE INSTITUTE

You cut a varicose vein, control the resulting burst of blood and have the vein treated to prevent complications.