A varicose vein is a vein that is dilated and therefore clearly visible on the skin, or palpable under the skin. Varicose veins are usually blue-skinned and tortuous, and are mainly on the legs. Varicose veins are very common; they are among the top ten complaints for which people go to the doctor. They are more common in women than in men. The medical name for varicose veins is varices.
referentie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varicose_veins
What is the function of veins
Veins (veins) are the blood vessels that provide blood flow back to the heart. The arteries (veins) carry blood from the heart to the legs, and through the veins it flows back to the heart. On the outside of the leg is a whole network of superficial veins through which blood flows back up the leg. Inside the leg, between the muscles, there are also large veins through which the blood flows back. In all of these veins are valves. These valves allow blood to flow easily back from the toes to the heart. When you walk or move your leg muscles, the veins are squeezed empty, and because of the valves, the blood can only go one way, up.
Varicose veins causes and symptoms
Women are slightly more likely to suffer from varicose veins than men. The risk of varicose veins increases with:
- Condition: in some families, people are more likely to have varicose veins
- Hormones and pregnancy
- Standing for long periods
- Thrombosis
- Operations and accidents
- Excess weight
Varicose veins often cause no symptoms at all. Many people will find the presence of varicose veins disturbing or unsightly. Varicose veins usually gradually increase in severity over the years.
If the varicose veins cause symptoms, it is usually in the form of feeling tired, languid and heavy in the legs. Sometimes one has itching and tingling or can’t keep the legs still properly in bed (restless legs) or feels like something is crawling across the legs. In rare cases, there is pain or bleeding from a varicose vein. In addition, the failure of blood to flow back to the heart properly (venous insufficiency) can also cause congestion and consequent fluid accumulation (edema) around the ankles. These symptoms increase during the day, after standing for long periods of time and in hot weather. If fluid accumulation persists for a long time, the lower legs can develop symptoms such as pigmentation, eczema, white scarring, hardening of the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue and eventually an open leg (ulcer cruris venosum)
What treatments are there
It is important that you see your doctor who will examine you and decide the best course of action. You may be referred to other trained professionals for specialist advice.
- External support and compression using elastic compression garments. You need to wear them to recover after surgery or get them to prevent varicose veins.
- Intermittent compression pumps (IPC) Pressotherapy
Use of a Pressotherapy system
The system of Nymph consists of a pump and 1 or more cuffs, these are easy to use, safe and effective for varicose veins. It is important that you follow the instructions given to you by your nurse, therapist or doctor for varicose veins.
Before using the system, remove compression bandages or stockings. Make sure you are in a comfortable position, if necessary place a cylindrical cotton bandage or jersey stitch on the affected limb. Place the cuff on the varicose limb to be treated and connect the cuff to the pump.
Adjust the pump settings for varicose veins this is program B, E or F as advised by your treating physician, then turn on the pump.
The cuff will alternately inflate and deflate, providing a gentle massage. This stimulates blood and lymph flow in your affected limb. If the pressure is too high and you experience discomfort, you can reduce the pressure setting on the pump. This can be done even during the therapy session already in progress.
It is important that you follow the instructions given to you regarding the duration and frequency of use. A session lasts between 30-90 minutes.
After completing therapy, the cuff and any cotton bandage should be removed. If you are wearing compression garments, you can put them back on. Experience over many years has shown that very few problems have been experienced by persons using this system. However, if you become out of breath or your limb becomes swollen or painful, or if the skin becomes red and inflamed during treatment
