Varicose Veins and Their Etiology

Varicose veins are permanently enlarged and twisted veins where blood flow is reversed due to faulty valves.

Increased pressure in the abdomen, often caused by factors like pregnancy, obesity, or tight clothing.

The white blood cells get trapped in enlarged veins, leading to inflammation and damage.

Heredity (family history), female sex, prolonged standing, immobility, pregnancy, and certain medications.

The saphenofemoral junction is the point where the great saphenous vein joins the femoral vein. It's located about 4 cm below the lateral tubercle and medial to the pubic tubercle.

The CEAP classification helps categorize varicose veins based on their clinical appearance, etiology, anatomy, and pathophysiology.

Elevated levels of progesterone and altered estrogen-progesterone ratio, particularly during pregnancy.

They are enlarged, twisted veins that can cause pain, swelling, and skin problems.

A condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, often in the legs. It can be caused by prolonged inactivity, injury, or certain medical conditions.

A bulging, dilated vein, often found in the legs. It occurs when the valves in the vein become weak and allow blood to pool.

A saccular dilatation of the upper end of the long saphenous vein at the saphenous opening.

A test where the doctor keeps a finger on the saphenofemoral junction and asks the patient to cough. A fluid thrill, an impulse felt by the fingers, is indicative of ‘saphenofemoral incompetence’.

The vein is emptied by elevating the limb and a tourniquet is tied just below the sapheno-femoral junction. Patient is asked to stand quickly. When the tourniquet is released, rapid filling from above signifies saphenofemoral incompetence.

A group of reticular veins near the medial malleolus. Complications such as ulceration, bleeding, eczema, and dermatitis may be present. Pigmentation is often seen.

A localised, dilated segment of the vein, often indicating an underlying perforator vein.

A condition where the valves in the veins are not working properly, causing blood to flow backwards and pool in the legs. Symptoms can include swelling, pain, and fatigue.

The abdominal examination may reveal enlarged lymph nodes, which could be pressing on nearby veins and contributing to varicose veins.

Ultrasound of the abdomen can help identify problems with veins and blood flow in the legs, which can be related to varicose veins.

A peripheral blood smear is a test used to examine blood cells under a microscope, which can help identify potential problems like inflammation that may be contributing to varicose veins.

Platelet count measures the number of platelets in the blood, which are crucial for blood clotting and wound healing. If platelet count is low, it can increase the risk of prolonged bleeding, which might worsen varicose veins.

A test used to identify incompetent perforator veins. Involves applying a tourniquet to a leg, observing blood filling from below upwards, and assessing the time taken for filling.

A procedure to pinpoint the exact location of perforator veins. Multiple tourniquets are applied to different leg sections, and blood flow is observed.

Used to assess the competency of valves between segments of a superficial vein. It involves palpating a dilated vein segment and tapping it, resulting in a palpable impulse if valves are inadequate.

A test to exclude deep vein thrombosis. It involves applying a tourniquet at the saphenofemoral junction, walking, and observing for pain and swelling. These symptoms suggest a potential DVT.

A method to identify perforator sites in the leg. It involves marking the bulges at perforator locations while standing and then observing depressions at these points in the reclining position.

Enlarged or swollen veins in the leg, often visible on the surface of the skin. This is a common symptom of venous insufficiency.

Swelling in the legs, usually caused by the accumulation of fluid in the tissues due to poor blood circulation.

A dull, aching pain, often described as a feeling of heaviness, usually in the legs. It's often worse in the evening and relieved by elevating the legs.

Sharp, sudden pain in the legs, often occurring at night. These cramps are caused by changes in the diameter of the veins.

Ulcers are open sores or wounds, while eczema is a skin condition that causes inflammation, itching, and dryness. Both can occur in venous insufficiency due to poor blood flow and oxygen supply to the area.

Bleeding, often from the affected area, can occur in venous insufficiency. It's often due to the weakening of blood vessel walls.

Venous insufficiency is a condition where the veins in the legs don't work properly, causing blood to pool in the legs instead of flowing back to the heart.

The symptoms of venous insufficiency are often worse in the evening, as blood tends to pool in the legs throughout the day when standing or sitting for long periods.