subject: The Serious Complications That Can Occur From Varicose Veins [print this page] The Serious Complications That Can Occur From Varicose Veins
Varicose veins can be present in individuals for years before any complications occur. Although this is true, without early treatment, oftentimes the complications that do occur are serious and appear in later years when effective treatment becomes more difficult. Varicose veins that are located on the lower legs and feet go through an evolutionary process. Varicose veins develop slowly over time as they gradually grow in size. With their progression in growth, oedema will often be noticed at the end of each day. As the veins become larger, skin conditions erupt such as eczema or dermatitis ochre. When left untreated, conditions that are more serious can occur such as ulcers, bleeding and blood clots.
Depending on the severity of the varicose veins, pain and/or swelling may be the first symptom of the onset of serious complications. Pain may be present in the lower extremities along with tingling sensations, itching, leg cramps, warmth of the skin and swelling of the lower extremities and ankles. This occurs as the vein's normal blood flow is interrupted causing the blood to stagnate in the vein. As the blood accumulates in the veins, the skin becomes discoloured due to iron that has not received haemoglobin. The skin will appear rusty and dark in colour. This condition is known as dermatitis ochre. The skin can also become inflamed causing venous eczema. This condition will cause the skin to swell, peel and itch. Varicose ulcers can then develop causing more serious complications, as these are large wounds that can cover a great amount of the leg. As the veins increase in size due to the build up of pooled blood, they can become so enlarged that they perforate, breaking the skin, causing severe bleeding.
Another serious complication of varicose veins is thrombophlebitis. When veins become varicose, their walls become weak and lose the ability to properly push blood back to the heart. Varicose veins also affect the normal pumping action of leg muscles to push blood through the veins, which can result in venous thrombosis. Thrombophlebitis can occur in superficial or deep veins. This can put the entire circulatory system at risk as blood clots cut off proper blood supply. Patients with superficial thrombosis often complain of swelling, redness and pain in the area of the varicose vein. With proper treatment the clot can be dissolved, although during this process the clot can dislodge and travel into deeper veins, although this is rare. There is also the additional risk of the clot breaking apart causing pieces of it to travel through the veins and into the lungs. This is known as a pulmonary embolism. When blood clots form in deep veins this is known as a deep venous thrombosis. This condition is very serious and life threatening.
