Do Varicose Veins Indicated Heart Problems?

Needless to say, varicose veins are cosmetic displeasure. But are these thick and twisted veins also a sign of deeper trouble?

Varicose veins are not only unsightly and uncomforting but also a bit scary. It is not unusual for you to wonder if these swollen and enlarged veins are the cause of a potential cardiac disorder.

In this blog, let us understand if varicose veins have any effect on the heart and the cardiovascular system.

Varicose Veins and Heart Disease

Our bodies have two types of blood vessels – arteries and veins. The arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all other body parts. The veins are responsible for bringing used and de-oxygenated blood back to the heart from all different body organs.

Varicose veins are those damaged veins whose valves do not function as desired and prevent blood from flowing back to the heart. This is a venous disorder and indicates blood flow problems in the veins.

Cardiac disorders are related to the arterial system and not the venous system. Thus, even though the presence of varicose veins signals towards an unhealthy blood circulation, it does not necessarily point towards heart disease.

Varicose veins definitely put you at a higher risk of other venous complications but the development of varicose veins does neither cause nor indicate heart disease. In simple terms, there is no connection between varicose veins and a cardiac disorder. Having varicose veins does not at all increase the risk for a heart ailment.

However, in some cases, the vascular system can get affected by cardiac disease. A patient who has a heart ailment and has developed varicose veins is at a high probability of complaining of swelling in the legs and infection in the varicose veins affected area.

Varicose Veins Complications

For a majority of the people, varicose veins are only a cosmetic concern. Although varicose veins are not a potential risk for heart ailments, they do pose a serious risk to the overall health and well-being of the patient. Thus, it is extremely important to understand the medical conditions and complications related to varicose veins in order to prevent health loss in the long run.

As varicose veins prevent blood flow, there is excessive accumulation of blood in the affected area. This causes the veins to enlarge and leads to swelling which is usually accompanied by pain and a feeling of heaviness. Patients also complain of discomfort in the form of itching, a feeling of heaviness, and a constant sensation of throbbing.

This medical condition can worsen further and progress to other health issues in case of delay or lack of treatment. Blood pooling causes extreme pressure and can result in open sores known as active venous ulcers. Some patients can even develop blood clots in their deep veins (DVT i.e. Deep Vein Thrombosis) and chronic venous insufficiency.

In DVT, if the blood clot breaks free, it can travel to any body part like the heart, lungs, and others. A blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) can hinder oxygen supply to the vital body organs and even cause the untimely death of the patient. Thus, varicose veins must never be ignored as a mere cosmetic annoyance.

Conclusion

Even though varicose veins and heart diseases are not inter-related medical complications, both respond well to healthy lifestyle changes. In both these health conditions, patients have been known to benefit from eating a nutritional diet and having a daily exercise regime.

If you have varicose veins, you are also sure to experience relief from swelling and pain by raising your legs above the level of your heart while lying down. You must also speak to your vascular expert about the recommended usage of compression stockings that help improve the blood flow from the legs back to the heart.

However, if your varicose veins are causing extreme trouble, you must consider getting them removed or permanently closed through surgical procedures. In contrast to the open surgeries which were much painful and discomforting, these days the minimally invasive procedures have got popular due to their high success rate and faster healing.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala is a trained vascular interventional radiologist and an expert at performing the painless laser ablation treatment of varicose veins. He performs the laser ablation as an outpatient procedure and all varicose veins are treated in a single session. The patients can go back home on the same day and continue to perform their everyday activities from the very next day.

It is a painless, minimally invasive, scar-less, convenient, and safe treatment procedure for varicose veins. There is no need of general anaesthesia as doctors only use local anaesthesia in the affected area to make small incisions and check for the location of varicose veins through a live duplex ultrasound scan.

The heat from the laser fibre is used to close off and burn away the damaged veins which get reabsorbed in the body. The body also automatically re-routes the blood to neighbouring healthy veins. Patients get immediate relief from pain, swelling, and itching.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala is internationally qualified and ranked as the best vascular surgeon in South India. He ensures patient comfort and satisfaction at all times before, during, and even after the procedure. If you are looking for the best treatment of varicose veins, do not look elsewhere, schedule your appointment with Dr. Rajah V Koppala today!

April 24, 2025April 24, 2025

admin FAQS & Myths

Is Varicose Vein Treatment Permanent?

In India, over 10 million varicose vein cases are reported every year. Varicose vein medical ailment is estimated to affect the legs and feet of nearly 30% of the adult Indians.

Also, most obese people have a tendency to develop one or more varicose veins as they age. Based on verified statistics, women are known to be somewhat more probable of suffering from varicose veins as compared to their male counterparts.

What are Varicose Veins?

In the case of a healthy person, the valves of the veins make the used and de-oxygenated blood flow back to the heart from all body parts. These valves also prevent the blood from staying stagnant at one place or flowing backward in the undesired direction.

But for patients who complain of varicose veins, the valves of the affected veins get damaged and hence restrict the blood flow back to the heart. This disturbs the circulatory system and causes the blood to pool around the impaired veins.

Varicose veins are those swollen and enlarged veins that are often seen bulging out from the skin surface of the legs. These twisted veins are bluish-purple in colour and are truly an ugly sight. The varicose vein patients often complain of pain, itching, burning, and mild cramping in the affected area.

You should never ignore any visible signs of varicose veins. Although not a very serious disorder, varicose veins may not require immediate treatment but genuine medical aid is vital to prevent the condition from getting worse.

In some critical scenarios, the delays in treating the varicose veins can further lead to other several other acute health hazards like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) i.e. clots in the superficial veins, acute Venous Ulcers, and even Chronic Venous Insufficiency.

Why do Varicose Veins Re-appear?

By treating the varicose veins, patients not only get relief from the constant pain, and irritation, but also get rid of the unappealing sight of the varicose veins on their legs and feet.

The traditional treatment procedure of vein surgery, where the affected veins were stripped off, is definitely less efficient and has higher chances of making the varicose veins re-appear.

In the new era, with the invention of laser treatments for varicose veins, the swollen varicose veins are accurately identified with the help of the duplex ultrasound procedure and these are then permanently closed. This forces the body to re-route the blood to other neighbouring veins.

Although the advanced laser treatment massively reduces the chances of varicose veins coming back, it does not guarantee a permanent cure. In medical terms, varicose vein is a chronic ailment and the varicose veins may redevelop in the future for the patients who were successfully treated in the past.

A patient who has once had varicose veins always remains at high risk of redeveloping them. It is not usually the same vein, but different veins may get affected by the malfunctioning valves, thus causing the varicose veins to reoccur.

Some people are genetically more probable to develop varicose veins but all patients can reduce their chances of re-growing varicose veins by improving their lifestyle. Doing mild exercises every day, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a BMI (Body Mass Index) score under 25, is known to reduce the risk of varicose veins.

Also, you must avoid sitting or standing for long periods at a stretch as this can cause extreme pressure on your veins and breakdown the valves. In an unfortunate incidence of the varicose veins recurring for you, you can still get them eliminated by the painless endovenous laser treatment.

This laser treatment is minimally invasive and absolutely painless. It leaves no cuts or scar marks on the patient’s body and has quick recovery time. Except for a few critical cases, patients are generally discharged on the same day. They can go back home and resume their daily activities without any difficulties or outside support.

The endovenous laser treatment procedure has very little post-operative care and the patients can even undertake long flights without the fear of DVT or blood clots that may cause a medical emergency. To a few patients, the vascular surgeon may suggest the use of compression stockings for a few days after the laser treatment.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala, MD in Vascular Interventional Radiology, is a distinguished doctor offering his medical services at Avis Hospitals, Hyderabad. With over 24 years of experience and a record of treating 4000+ varicose vein patients every year, Dr. Rajah V Koppala is not only renowned but also trusted for his knowledge and medical practice.

Schedule your appointment for the medical check-up of your varicose veins and its painless endovenous laser treatment today from Dr. Rajah V Koppala today!

April 23, 2025April 23, 2025

admin Preventions and Tips

5 Essential Things Need to Know About Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are truly bothersome. They are the enlarged and swollen veins that cause intense pain and constant irritation. Some varicose veins are internal while most of them are visible right under the skin.

Varicose veins are an unpleasant sight and cause extreme discomfort to a large number of patients. Occurring more frequently to women than men, varicose veins are formed when the vein valves get damaged over time and cause the blood to pool leaving the patients with a heavy feeling in the affected area.

Even though varicose veins is a common medical condition for the aged people, there is a total lack of awareness about its symptoms and treatment. Lets us burst the most common varicose vein myths below:

Varicose veins are spider veins – Often times, varicose veins are considered to be spider veins and these two terms are used interchangeably. However, spider veins are not varicose veins. Spider veins are comparatively smaller, less painful and very thin. Spider veins look like thin ink lines drawn on the skin while varicose veins bulge out from the skin and are much more painful.
Varicose veins are vital to the circulatory system – Varicose veins used to be an essential part of the circulatory system but now as their valves do not function well and they cause the blood to pool, they are no longer useful to the body. They are superficial and it is safe to get them cut or totally removed from the body. The body automatically re-routes the blood to other healthier veins and continues to function perfectly well without these veins.
Varicose veins cannot be prevented – Varicose veins can most certainly be avoided by keeping a check on your weight, wearing comfortable footwear, and having an active lifestyle. If you are obese or overweight, there is additional unwanted pressure on the legs and that can damage the valves of the leg and feet veins thus leading to the severely painful varicose veins. Footwear that restricts the blood flow can also force the blood to pool in the legs and around the ankles. Mild regular exercises focussing on the ankles have also been known to reduce the chances of varicose veins in most patients.
Varicose veins are not a hereditary medical condition – In a few cases, varicose veins have also been found to have developed in patients who were neither overweight nor had a sedentary lifestyle. Varicose veins are thus, also related to hereditary and have been found to be a genetic medical condition for a few people. If your family members have a history of varicose veins, sadly even you have a higher probability of getting them at some point in your life.
Compression Stockings offer no comfort to varicose vein patients – Compression socks, also called support stockings are a blessing for the varicose vein patients. They are available in multiple sizes and are generally lose from the thighs but tighter near the ankles. They help keep the veins compressed and thus hinder the blood from pooling. Ideal for long flights or varicose vein patients who have desk jobs with long intervals of sitting in the same position, these help reduce the pain, slow down the progression of existing varicose veins, and also restrict new developments of varicose veins.

If you have any early signs of varicose veins or have been successfully diagnosed with them, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Hospitals is a vascular surgeon and specializes in non-invasive laser treatment of varicose veins. It is an absolutely safe and painless procedure. There is a minimal post-treatment care and the patients are usually discharged from the hospital on the same day as their endovenous laser treatment.

Avis Hospitals has a proven track record of happy patients who have been successfully cured of their varicose veins. No matter your age, if you have varicose veins, Dr. Rajah V Koppala is here to help you get rid of them. For pin-point diagnosis and world-class treatment, book an appointment at Avis Vascular Centre today!

April 15, 2025April 21, 2025

admin Vascular Diseases

Six Things to Know About Varicose Veins

Six Things to Know About Varicose Veins

In India, as many as 20% of the adults suffer from varicose veins. Although more prevalent in adults, especially women who are over 50 years of age, numerous cases of varicose veins have already been reported in youngsters as well.

For a few patients, varicose veins may just only be an ugly sight, but for most others, these turn out to be truly painful and extremely discomforting. Let us learn more about varicose veins below:

All leg veins are not the same

Veins are vascular structures that are responsible for carrying the used and deoxygenated blood from all different body parts back to the heart. When valves of certain veins deteriorate and do not promote, rather hinder, the blood flow back to the heart, it causes pooling of blood and results in varicose veins.

Veins lose their elasticity and become dilated thus leading to swollen and painful veins that are often seen bulging out from the skin surface of the legs. These are clearly visible to the naked eye and are accompanied by irritation and itching in the damaged area.

Varicose veins are largely different from spider veins. Spider veins are smaller and tubular blood vessels that are usually seen in treelike or spiderweb like form on the legs. Spider veins do not have severe symptoms and do not usually lead to any medical complications.
Some symptoms should not be ignored

If your varicose veins are not causing any discomfort or pain, you may not necessarily get them treated immediately, but there are a few symptoms which must be reported to the doctor as soon as possible. Please make a note of them below:
1. Itchy and dry skin around the affected area
2. Redness on the damaged skin surface
3. Hyperpigmentation on the lower leg and/or ankle
4. Thickening and/or hardening of the skin of the affected area
5. Skin ulcer that is an open sore and is not caused by an injury. It may or may not have pus fluid drainage.

All these are severe symptoms of varicose veins and you must seek medical care and treatment in a priority. In a few cases, varicose veins also develop due to Deep Vein Thrombosis (clots in the deep rooted veins) that may not have any symptoms for some people or may occur with severe leg pain and swelling in some other cases.

Another prominent symptom in cases of DVT is the pain in the calf of one leg that is usually accompanied by cramps and soreness. Your legs may also feel warm when you touch them. If you notice one or more of the above mentioned symptoms, you must not delay visiting a vascular expert.

You will need an ultrasound

If you have any early symptoms of varicose veins or doubt that you might be suffering from a venous disorder, you must visit a vascular expert and get an ultrasound done. The Doppler ultrasound scan will help the medical practitioner analyse and evaluate your condition and its severity.

With the help of the doppler ultrasound scan, the vascular expert will be able to measure the amount of blood flow in your leg veins. These help the doctor to examine any abnormalities that may require treatment.

After the ultrasound scan reports, the vascular expert will suggest the best treatment option to cure the underlying medical condition.
The doctor will advise whether the affected veins can be treated by the latest laser ablation procedure or will necessarily require surgery.

Painless treatment option is available

About 15 years ago, the only way to treat varicose veins was a surgery where the patient was given general anaesthesia and operated in an operation theatre. The surgical procedures are quite painful and require massive post-operative care. The patient is usually advised complete bed rest after the surgery.

With humungous advancements in medical technology, varicose veins can be effectively treated by the painless and minimally invasive laser technique. This process is quick and requires only local anaesthesia. Usually performed in the doctor’s office itself, there is minimal post-operative care and the patient can go back home on the very same day.
Diet and exercise can help

As we age, most of us will have ugly looking, prominently visible, abnormal, and enlarged veins on our legs and feet. Obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, and a job that requires you to sit or stand for longer durations at a stretch are the major risk factors of varicose veins.

There is little that we can do to prevent venous disorders and diet and exercise play a major role in it. A nutritional diet and a moderate exercise routine may not be able to prevent varicose veins but can definitely assist in delaying its onset and reducing the probability of varicose veins turning into a critical condition.
Varicose veins caused due to pregnancy may go away on their own

Some women develop varicose veins during pregnancy. The circulating blood volume increases in the woman’s body to take care of the foetus, hormonal changes also occur and cause dilation of the leg veins.

Women who suffer from varicose veins in their pregnancy term must wait for three to six months after delivery. If the varicose vein symptoms still persist, she must schedule an appointment with a vascular expert and seek expert medical assistance.

Varicose veins are not a very serious condition but can turn into a medical emergency if treatment is delayed. If you have visible but painless varicose veins in the lower leg region, immediate treatment may not be required but there are high chances of these varicose veins turning into highly painful and swollen veins in due course of time.

Thus, it is suggested to plan your medical check-up and treatment in a priority. Your search for a trusted and reliable vascular medical institution ends with Avis Hospitals. We have a team of internationally qualified and extensively trained interventional radiologists who specialize in the USFDA approved laser treatment of varicose veins.

The protocols that we follow are approved by the American College of Phlebology. We treat over 4500 patients every year and already have over 12,000 happy and satisfied patients with a whopping success rate of 95%

We also offer complete assistance to outstation patients with 100% price assurance at the time of admission itself. We have tie-ups with all leading insurance agencies of India and assist in quick Mediclaim clearance for one and all.

For the most trusted, reliable and efficient treatment of your varicose veins, schedule an appointment with us today!

April 15, 2025April 21, 2025

admin Vascular Diseases

Venous Insufficiency Ulcers

Due to genetic factors and a poor lifestyle that is characterized by an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity, some people develop varicose veins in their legs and feet. The one-way valves of these veins do not function as desired and hinder the flow of the deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

As the blood isn’t efficiently pumped back to the heart, excessive blood remains pooled in the varicose veins and leads to humungous pressure in the affected area. This medical condition is referred to as venous insufficiency.

The added pressure forces the walls of the varicose veins to stretch which causes the protein in the blood cells to reach the subcutaneous tissues. Further, due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients, these tissues eventually break down and result in ulceration.

Chronic venous insufficiency in most cases leads to venous ulcers that are open wounds or sores visible on the surface of the skin on the legs and feet. These require immediate medical assistance and are extremely slow to heal.

Causes

Varicose veins and most other venous disorders can be attributed to genetic reasons apart from a few other conditions. Following are the most prevalent risk factors for venous insufficiency and leg ulcers:

Being female
Old age
Being tall
Varicose veins
History of blood clots in deep veins (DVT)
Family history of venous disorders
Blockage of lymph vessels
Pregnancy
Smoking
Sitting or standing for long durations
Injury to the leg, burns or muscle damage

Early Signs of Venous Insufficiency

Like most other medical conditions, our body gives us numerous hints about venous insufficiency as well. It is vital for us to be aware and keep an eye for the below-mentioned symptoms :

The skin changes in the affected area accompanied by itching. This medical condition is also referred to as Stasis Dermatitis.
The skin may also turn hard and brown or dark red in colour
Pain and swelling in the leg along with a feeling of heaviness
Tingling sensation in the damaged area

Symptoms of Venous Ulcers

If we fail to get ourselves treated after the early signs of venous insufficiency, the condition may worsen and lead to active venous ulcers. Below mentioned are the easiest to recognize symptoms of leg ulceration:

Shallow sore with a red base that may be covered with a yellow tissue
Uneven borders of the sore
Pain in the leg
Surrounding skin turns shiny, tight, warm, and also discoloured
Infected sores may have a bad odour and pus drain from the wound

Wound Care

If you have developed leg ulcers, it is essential for you to take proper care as the open sore may get infected and lead to many other severe medical complications. We have made a to-do list, please make a note of the below tips:

You must keep the wound clean and bandaged to prevent getting infected.
You must change the dressing frequently. Always ensure to clean the wound before doing the dressing.
Dressing and skin around the wound must always be kept dry.
Always keep the skin around the wound moisturized to reduce itching and irritation
Ask your venous expert if you must wear compression stockings above your dressing and/or bandage

Prevention

There are some easy tips and tricks to prevent varicose veins, venous insufficiency, and related disorders of the veins. Simply note down the below points and incorporate them in your day to day life:

Eat healthy food
Exercise everyday
Quit smoking
Blood sugar control for diabetic patients
Plenty of sleep
Regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Weight loss for obese or overweight people

Even if you have already been diagnosed with venous insufficiency, you can still reduce the chances of venous ulcers by following the below tips:

Wear compression stockings as they are known to improve the blood flow in the affected area. They offer relief from the leg pains, help reduce the swelling and also assist with healing.
As frequently as possible, place your feet above the level of your heart. Lie down on the bed and use one or more pillows to lift your feet higher. This will make it easier for the blood to move back to the heart and prevent blood pooling
Ensure to eat a nutritious diet and perform moderate and low impact exercises every day.
Ensure to take the medicines as prescribed by your medical practitioner.

Conclusion

Varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, leg ulcers, and other venous disorders have become fairly common due to the sedentary lifestyle of most people in urban cities. Although not serious, all venous medical conditions must be treated in a priority by trusted and reliable vascular specialists only.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala is a qualified and internationally trained vascular expert who specializes in the minimally invasive and painless laser treatment of varicose veins. At Avis Hospitals, we have the latest equipment and all modern amenities in-house for efficient treatment by the endovenous laser ablation technique.

If you or anyone in your family is suffering from vascular medical conditions, do not delay in scheduling a consultation with the renowned interventional radiologist Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Hospitals. The laser treatment is suitable for people of all ages and we ensure quick recovery with minimal post-operative care. Book an appointment today!

April 8, 2025April 21, 2025

admin Vascular Diseases

Could You Spot Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Vein disorders have become all the more popular in the 21st century. The most popular vein diseases namely varicose veins, blood clots, and chronic venous insufficiency were less heard of earlier.

This sudden increase in the number of people suffering from one or the other form of a vein disease can be majorly attributed to a poor lifestyle. Today, most people have a desk job that is mainly characterized by a sedentary lifestyle and this undoubtedly is the leading cause of most aged patients complaining of vein disorders.

It is only with the advancements in medical technology and the availability of new techniques, that vascular experts are now able to accurately treat a majority of these popular vein disorders through painless and non-invasive laser treatment.

Let us learn about the medical condition of chronic venous insufficiency, its causes, and most common symptoms.

What is Chronic Venous insufficiency?

For a few people, the valves of their legs and feet veins get ruptured and do not function as desired. This hinders the blood flow back to the heart and leads to swollen and enlarged veins that often ache and cause itching on the skin.

The malfunctioning veins lead to blood pooling as the blood remains stagnant in the veins. The patients also often have a constant heavy feeling in the affected area. This medical condition called varicose veins, when left untreated for a long tenure becomes chronic and has other major side effects on the overall health of the patient.

Chronic venous insufficiency forces the blood pressure in the legs to rise up to extreme levels and also exponentially increases the chances of stasis ulcers.

What are the Root Causes of Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

There are multiple factors that lead to chronic venous insufficiency in the due course of time. Let us become aware of the most common ones below:

A family history of blood clots, varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency
A known medical condition of blood clots or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Being overweight or obese and having a sedentary lifestyle with a total lack of physical activity
Hormonal changes in the body
Suffering from high blood pressure
A habit of excessive smoking on a daily basis
Any form of damage during surgery or an accidental injury to the leg

Except for the genetic reasons of chronic venous insufficiency, most other causes of this medical condition can be repaired by consuming a low-fat diet, performing mild exercises that focus on the leg and the ankle, and avoiding to stand or sit for long tenures at a stretch.

What are the Main Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

The biggest sign and the most prominent symptom of chronic venous insufficiency is the appearance of the enlarged and bulging out bluish purple varicose veins.

There are, however, a few more easy to recognize symptoms that have been detailed below:

A feeling of heaviness and extreme tightness in the lower area of the one or both legs
Severe swelling in the legs and feet, especially around the ankle
Cramping in the legs and acute pain in the feet
Increased pain during walking
Itching around the ankle and the affected area of legs and feet
Skin tan or skin discoloration leading the reddish-brown skin
Also, leg ulceration in some critical cases when treatment for varicose veins is delayed

It is supremely important to pay close attention to your body and identify the above signs of chronic venous insufficiency. If you notice either of the above symptoms, prioritize seeing a vascular expert.

Can Avis Hospitals treat your Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Yes! Avis Hospitals is a trusted medical institute for the most genuine treatment of your vascular disorders. Based out of Hyderabad, Avis Hospitals has been catering to the requirements of vascular experts for patients from many different parts of India.

The vascular department at Avis Hospitals is led by Dr. Rajah V Koppala. He is not only highly qualified but also greatly experienced. In his over 24 years of medical career, he has successfully treated patients with the most severe cases of vascular diseases.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala is a vascular expert with expertise in the endovenous laser treatment of varicose veins. Whether you have early symptoms of varicose veins, have a history of blood clots in the veins, have DVT and are planning to travel abroad, have been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency or have an undiagnosed vein disorder, Dr. Rajah V Koppala will help you with accurate diagnosis and bona fide treatment.

He always ensures that the patients are well informed of their medical condition and the prescribed treatment. He also comforts the patients by answering their queries and making them feel confident about their recovery. Do not compromise with your health by delaying the treatment of your varicose veins, book a consultation with Dr. Rajah V Koppala today!

April 7, 2025April 21, 2025

admin FAQS & Myths

Can Varicose Veins affected legs be brought back to normal?

What are varicose veins?

Veins are the blood vessels that are responsible for carrying the de-oxygenated blood back from the body parts to the heart. The blood is also pumped back to the heart from the legs and feet of the human body, strongly against the gravitational force of the Earth.

In a few patients, the valves of the leg and feet veins begin to dysfunction due to the patient’s growing age or a poor lifestyle and this leads to the pooling of blood. The blood remains collected in the veins and makes the patient’s legs feel heavy and irritated. In a few rare cases, the patient may feel constant pain and suffer from the inability to stand or walk.

These veins, called the Varicose Veins are often swollen or enlarged in size, turn dark purple in colour, and are clearly visible right under the skin even with a naked eye. Due to the lack of medical awareness in India, most patients suffering from Varicose Veins often remain uninformed about their medical condition until it becomes serious.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

There are more than a few reasons that lead to varicose veins, let us address the most common ones below:

Lack of physical activity – A poor lifestyle accompanied with a total lack of exercise, immobility due to a desk job, and insufficient body movements, all these reasons cause obesity which in turn causes excessive pressure on the leg veins and is known to be the most prominent cause of varicose veins
Improper diet –The absence of a balanced diet and increased consumption of junk food where meals have greater portions of saturated fat plus carbohydrates and lower quantities of fiber and protein result in higher body cholesterol levels and restrict blood flow in legs and feet.
Uncomfortable footwear – Wearing high heels for longer durations, unfitting footwear, shoes with a poor or hard sole, or standing and sitting in the same position for extended durations is known to hamper the blood flow and thus cause the blood the pool in the veins.
Birth Control Pills – Frequent intake of birth control on contraceptive pills has been proven to disrupt the blood flow in the blood vessels especially those in the legs and feet. The condition gets worse for women during menstruation and pregnancy. This may cause varicose veins and leg ulcers.
Other Reasons – Heredity, old age, weakened or damaged veins, blood clots or DVT are the other leading causes of varicose veins. Regularly exercising the calf muscles is known to improve the condition for patients with mild to medium symptoms.

Can Varicose Veins be brought back to normal?

Absolutely YES. In this modern era with huge advancements in medical technology, the varicose veins can totally be cured and brought back to normal for patients with even the most critical cases. There are multiple treatment options and the doctor chooses the most appropriate one only after seeing the patient’s condition and medical history.

Doctors first conduct the physical examination of the patient’s varicose veins while he/she is sitting or standing. They ensure to precisely check for the painful varicose veins and at times may require an ultrasound before advising the available treatment options. In the ultrasound, the blood flow in the affected veins is measured with the help of high-frequency waves that help the doctor to evaluate the severity of the issue.

There are some surgical treatments like sclerotherapy and radiofrequency ablation that are painful but have a fair success rate. The best treatment is Endovenous Laser Treatment which is minimally invasive and there are no big cuts made on the patient’s legs. In most cases, the patients can also go back home the same day.

Can Varicose Veins be cured at Avis Hospitals?

Most definitely. If you have varicose veins and are in deep pain, do not delay your treatment any longer. Dr. Rajah V Koppala at Avis Hospitals has years of experience and a huge array of happy patients who are totally satisfied with his advice, treatment procedures and the post-operative care as well.

Renowned as the leading vascular surgeon in Hyderabad, Dr. Rajah V Koppala is undoubtedly the best doctor for your all your concerns relating to varicose veins. Schedule an appointment today and get cured in no time!

April 4, 2025April 21, 2025

admin Vascular Diseases

What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Blood is pumped from the heart to all body parts and limbs. The human body veins are responsible to carry the used and deoxygenated blood back from the body parts to the heart. All veins have one-way valves that direct the blood to flow to the heart and restrict its backward movement.

The blood in the leg veins must flow upward, against the pull of the gravity to reach the heart. Venous insufficiency occurs when the leg vein valves do not function as desired and restrict the blood’s movement to the heart. As a result of this, the blood flows back to the leg veins. These malfunctioning valves force the blood to remain collected in the leg veins thus causing blood pooling.

If this medical ailment is left untreated, the condition becomes chronic and the symptoms get worse leading to a disorder that is referred to as Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) in medical terms. CVI is also accompanied by extremely high blood pressure in the affected leg veins which may also result in stasis ulcers and other severe health complications.

Causes of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Women are more probable to suffer from CVI than men. It usually occurs in people over 50 years of age and there are more than a handful of reasons that can lead to chronic venous insufficiency. Let us have a look at the risk factors below:

Presence of blood clots in the deep veins of legs that cause Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) which is responsible for damaging the venous walls and the vein valves
Pelvic tumors and vascular malformations
Any leg injury
Pregnancy or being pregnant again with not enough time gap in between
A family history of CVI or varicose veins
A poor lifestyle that includes an absence of regular exercise and lack of a balanced diet
Excessive smoking or chewing tobacco
Being obese or inactive
Standing for prolonged hours at a stretch that raises the blood pressure in the leg veins and weakens the valves

Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

There are subtle symptoms in the earlier stages of chronic venous insufficiency but if you pay attention to the appearance and sensation in your legs, it will not be very difficult for you to understand and evaluate the urgent need to visit a vascular specialist.

Given below are some of the major warning signs of CVI :

Constant itching on the legs
Lower leg skin color changing to brown and the skin looking dull
Leg cramps and restlessness
Severe leg pain when walking or resting
Swelling around the ankle and/or lower leg area
Wounds that do not heal and lead to leg ulcers
Tightening in calves
New development of varicose veins
Skin commences to look and feel like leather

Treatment for Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency is 100% treatable. If you notice any early symptoms, you must immediately consult a vascular expert as delayed treatment may have serious ill-consequences.

Following is a list of the feasible treatments that the vascular expert might undertake :

Antibiotic oral medicines to cure dermatitis or skin infections with steroid-based ointments for direct application on the skin. A medical wrap may also be suggested for the affected leg area
Medication to prevent the possibility of blood clots
Sclerotherapy – the medical procedure where a thin needle is used to inject medicines directly into the affected veins. These medicines disrupt the lining of the vein and completely shut it off. The dead vein is later absorbed by the body itself.
Endovenous ablation – this is an invasive process that uses laser light or laser fiber to dissolve the problematic veins
Surgery – this is comparatively a much more complicated process where the vein is either repaired or cut and tied off so that blood no longer flows through it.
Compression stockings – These stockings offer support to the legs and improve blood circulation. Available in multiple sizes, tightness, lengths, and style, your doctor will be able to guide you with the right pair of compression stockings as per your need
Lifestyle changes – This undoubtedly is the most important form of self-care and the most effective treatment for CVI. Regular exercise, weight loss, giving up on cigarettes, and not standing or sitting for too long will aid in the recovery of CVI

Though the treatment offered to a patient depends on the age, the severity of the symptoms and a few other factors, all doctors will first attempt to curb the swelling in the legs and prevent the formation of leg ulcers.

Dr. Rajah V Koppala, the vascular specialist at Avis Vascular Centre has successfully treated thousands of patients suffering from varicose veins, leg ulcers, and CVI. Schedule a consultation to avail his expert medical assistance today!