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Have you recently noticed bluish, bulging, or twisted veins that were not there before? Do you often experience heaviness or achiness in your legs? In that case, you are not alone.
All the above symptoms point to one condition, i.e., varicose veins. It is a progressive condition, but it is mostly overlooked as a mere cosmetic issue. One striking feature of varicose veins is that they do not happen overnight. They start with subtle discomfort, which eventually advances to complications like skin ulcers, increased risk of blood clots and life-threatening deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
If you are noticing changes in the veins of your legs, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with a well-known varicose vein doctor in Kolkata, like Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik, to assess the severity of the condition and get started with the right treatment before it worsens.
In this blog, we will break down the stages of varicose veins and understand when to seek immediate help.
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins under the skin in the legs. They start around the ankles and soon spread to the legs. The condition mostly occurs when the valves inside the veins get weakened or damaged. As a result, the blood pools backwards, causing the veins to bulge.
Varicose veins mostly appear in individuals who are required to stand for prolonged periods of time. However, there are other factors as well, which make an individual prone to developing the condition:
These include the following:
Take a look at the six stages of varicose veins based on the CEAP classification system, employed by the varicose vein doctor in Kolkata and other specialists worldwide.
This is the earliest stage of varicose veins, where small, thin red, blue, or purple veins become visible just beneath the skin surface. As the veins form a web-like pattern, they are also known as spider veins and indicate underlying venous insufficiency. Patients generally do not experience any uncomfortable symptoms except for the cosmetic issue in the legs.
At this stage, the varicose veins begin to develop. The veins become more pronounced, raised, and bulging beneath the skin surface. Here, although the symptoms remain moderate, they cause mild pain, aching, or heaviness, especially after standing for long hours. This is where one must consider consulting the best varicose vein doctor in Kolkata, like Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik, to discuss the treatment options.
By stage 3, the varicose veins start to interfere with our daily lives. The swelling becomes prominent, accompanied by throbbing pain. This occurs due to worsening venous function and pressure in the venous system. Patients feel that their legs worsen after standing for long hours, and they need to wear compression stockings for relief.
When left untreated, the symptoms begin to manifest as skin changes near the affected veins. The skin takes on a brownish or reddish tone and becomes dry. In some cases, patients develop lipodermatosclerosis, which is a sign of chronic venous inflammation. This stage is a clear indication of advanced varicose veins and needs urgent attention from a varicose vein doctor to prevent further complications.
Here, the skin damage due to poor blood circulation becomes so severe that it leads to the formation of ulcers, which are open sores and difficult to heal. These ulcers mostly start around the ankles and require advanced treatment. At this stage, patients experience symptoms such as chronic swelling and itching. Moreover, without proper management, the ulcers even have a chance of recurrence.
This is the most advanced and serious stage of varicose veins. The ulcers become more active and infected due to reduced blood flow. If not treated effectively by a reputed varicose vein doctor in Kolkata, patients have an increased risk of developing blood clots and complications from deep vein thrombosis. In some cases, there is sudden and spontaneous blood flow from the veins, resulting in the death of the individual.
There are several treatment options available for varicose veins. For the early stage, simple lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, elevating the legs, and wearing loose clothes are recommended.
Other approaches include:
Compression stockings: This is effective in mild cases and helps in the efficient flow of blood in the veins, thereby reducing pain and swelling.
Surgical intervention: When conservative treatments do not show any results, surgical intervention becomes necessary to reduce the symptoms of the condition.
Laser therapy: Also known as endovenous laser treatment (EVLT), it is a modern approach where high-energy laser beams are used to ablate the veins in a minimally invasive way. The procedure is safe, quick, and painless with a shorter recovery period.
Always opt for early diagnosis of varicose veins, as it not only improves the appearance of the veins but also prevents complications. If you are looking for a specialist, consider visiting Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik, the top varicose vein doctor in Kolkata. He has undergone training on LASER surgery for varicose veins from Poland and has treated thousands of patients suffering from the condition with a high success rate.