Varicose Veins are dilated tortuous veins in the legs. They can give rise to pain or fatigue in the legs, which gets worse towards the end of the day. It can occur anywhere in a vein close to skin, but occur most often in the legs. Faulty valves in veins, weakened and stretched vein walls cause varicose veins to develop. If left untreated they can lead to ulceration in the legs.

Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, and are linked with heredity. Other related factors are pregnancy, obesity, menopause, aging, prolonged standing, leg injury, abdominal straining, and crossing legs at the knees or ankles. Less commonly, but not exceptionally, varicose veins can be due to other causes, as post phlebitic obstruction and/or incontinence, venous and arteriovenous malformations. Diabetic patients, specially if obese, may develop them.

A specialist evaluates the disease on the basis of physical examination, symptoms and medical history. Some advanced tests like doppler ultrasound, CT scan, MRI and angiogram are needed. The symptoms are -

• Fullness, heaviness, aching, and sometimes pain in the legs.
• Visible, swollen veins.
• Mild swelling of ankles.
• Brown color of the skin at the ankles (in severe cases).
• Skin ulcers near the ankle/Gangrene (in severe cases).