Varicose veins

Introduction: Varicose veins

Varicose veins: Varicose veins are very swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They are dark purple or blue in color, and can look like cords or very ... more about Varicose veins.

Varicose veins: Enlarged blue veins, usually in the legs. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Varicose veins is available below.

Symptoms of Varicose veins

• Enlarged blue or dark purple veins - usually leg veins affected
• Symptoms of varicose leg veins:
  • Enlarged leg veins
  • Legs swelling
  • Swollen feet

See full list of 17 symptoms of Varicose veins

Medical Textbooks Online about Varicose veins

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Varicose veins

• Physical exam
• X-rays
• Ultrasound

Read more about tests for Varicose veins

Wrongly Diagnosed with Varicose veins?

• Underlying causes of Varicose veins (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Causes of Varicose veins

• Pregnancy - varicose veins are a common complication of pregnancy; they usually improve within 3 months of delivery but may not reverse completely.
• Obesity
• Thrombophlebitis
• Chronic cough
• Chronic constipation

See full list of 8 causes of Varicose veins

More information about causes of Varicose veins:

• Underlying causes of Varicose veins
• Varicose veins as a symptom
• Medical news summaries relating to Causes of Varicose veins

Treatments for Varicose veins

• No treatment - a simple varicose vein that is not causing major symptoms or complications may not require treatment.
• Elastic stockings - for mild cases.
• Avoid long periods of standing
• Watchful waiting - for mild cases; also pregnancy-related varicose veins often subside after birth.
• Sclerotherapy

See full list of 15 treatments for Varicose veins

Videos for Varicose veins

Patient Surveys for Varicose veins

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about the symptoms of your Varicose veins
  Take Survey  View Results

Prognosis for Varicose veins

More about prognosis of Varicose veins

Reseach about Varicose veins

Visit our research pages for current research about Varicose veins treatments.

Clinical Trials for Varicose veins

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Varicose veins include:

• Use of Sanvar With Endoscopic Treatment for the Control of Acute Variceal Bleeding - This study is not yet open for patient recruitment (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Sanvar® (vapreotide)
• A Study to Prevent Complications of High Blood Pressure Caused by Hepatitis in Patients With Cirrhosis - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - timolol
• Decompression Intervention of Variceal Rebleeding Trial (DIVERT) - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Short Course Terlipressin for Control of Acute Variceal Bleeding - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - 24 hours Terlipressin
• Prevention of Esophageal Varices by Beta-Adrenergic Blockers - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Timolol Maleate

See full list of 17 Clinical Trials for Varicose veins

Prevention of Varicose veins

Prevention information for Varicose veins has been compiled from various data sources and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Varicose veins.

• Avoid sun exposure - to prevent facial spider veins
• Regular exercise
• Leg exercise - e.g. running, walking, etc.
• Control weight
• Avoid cross-legged sitting

Read more about prevention of Varicose veins

Statistics for Varicose veins

• Medical statistics for Varicose veins
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Varicose veins
• Death and Mortality statistics for Varicose veins
• Society statistics for Varicose veins

Types of Varicose veins

• Spider veins (type of Blood vessel conditions) - smaller less dark blue (sometimes red) enlarged veins closer to the surface than varicose veins; usually legs or face.
• Hemorrhoids - these are enlarged rectal veins
• Varicocele - affecting the veins in the testes

Read more about Types of Varicose veins

Medical Guidebooks and Ebooks for Varicose veins

• Icon Health Sourcebook for Varicose veins

See all guides and ebooks for Varicose veins

Stories from Users Related to Varicose veins

• Varicose Veins inside the Bladder?

Related forums and stories:

• Vascular Conditions (27)
  • Anyone here with this condition?
  • Passing Out Cold
  • Not Sure About Diagnosis
  • Superficial thrombophlebitis
  • gas
  • More user stories

User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Varicose veins, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Varicose veins

Varicose veins are very swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They are dark purple or blue in color, and can look like cords or very twisted and bulging. They are found most often on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg, anywhere from the groin to the ankle. During pregnancy, varicose veins called hemorrhoids can form in the vagina or around the anus. (Source: excerpt from VARICOSE VEINS AND SPIDER VEINS: NWHIC)

Wiki article about Varicose veins

See full article about Varicose veins

Definitions of Varicose veins:

Dilated tortuous vein, usually in subcutaneous tissues of the leg; incompetency of venous valves is associated. - (Source - Diseases Database)