In general, varicose veins are experienced by older people, however, they can occur in people of productive age.
Varicose veins are widened, winding veins due to blood buildup which causes increased pressure in the veins. This condition often occurs in the veins in the legs and feet. Areas that experience varicose veins often look like bluish veins that stand out under the skin. In some cases, varicose veins can cause discomfort such as soreness, feeling heavy in the legs. cramps, pain, itching, and can even cause sores.
Causes of Varicose Veins at a Young Age
Varicose veins are generally caused by damage to the vein valves, resulting in increased pressure in the veins which then causes widening of the veins, or what we often call varicose veins.
The following are several causes of varicose veins that can occur in people of productive age, namely:
- Pregnancy
Varicose veins sometimes occur in women who become pregnant at a young age. The reason is, an increase in the hormones progesterone and estrogen will cause blood vessels to enlarge. When a pregnant woman's weight increases, this can put extra pressure on the blood vessels and can trigger the appearance of varicose veins. Pregnancy causes the mother's blood flow to increase to support fetal growth. This increased and increased venous pressure can cause varicose veins.
- Obesity
People who are overweight or obese are prone to experiencing varicose veins where their body puts a much greater burden/pressure on the blood vessels. This needs to be watched out for, because obese people cannot see swollen blood vessels easily, because they are covered by excess fat.
- Often Wears High Heels and Tight Clothes
Women who often wear high heels are at risk of experiencing pressure on the blood vessels and can trigger varicose veins in the legs. In addition, wearing tight clothing, especially pants, can trigger varicose veins and the condition of blood vessels that resemble spider webs.
- Habit of Sitting Too Long
There is a bad habit that can cause people of productive age to develop varicose veins, namely sitting in front of a computer for hours in the same position. Not moving much or a sedentary lifestyle is one of the main causes of varicose veins. Sitting or standing for long periods of time has been shown to have an adverse effect on blood vessel health.
- Descendants
Hereditary factors can be one of the causes of the appearance of varicose veins in reproductive age. However, this can be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding activities that can cause varicose veins.
How to Treat Varicose Veins
There are several ways to cure varicose veins, namely:
1. Lie down with your legs elevated
When lying down, prop your legs up using a pillow or other support so that they are higher than your body. Do this for 20 minutes every day after finishing your activities.
2. Avoid standing for too long
When attending certain events, we often need to stand for quite a long time. However, as much as possible, find a place to sit when you have been standing for a long time. Alternatively, stretch to improve blood circulation.
This is because blood flow is also influenced by gravitational forces. Blood flow from the legs can flow to the heart due to muscle contractions which act like a pump. When muscle contractions push blood towards the heart, there are valves in the blood vessels that open. If this valve is damaged or weak, blood can return and collect in the legs.
3. Yoga
Yoga is believed to make those of you who experience varicose veins feel better. According to a number of experts, pain and swelling will decrease if you do yoga regularly.
However, please note that yoga is not the main treatment for those of you who experience varicose veins. Yoga should be used as a complementary therapy in treating varicose veins.
4. Light massage
Varicose veins can be removed by massage. However, avoid massaging areas with varicose veins because it can cause veins to burst.
5. Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a procedure for treating varicose veins using injections. Usually the symptoms of varicose veins will subside within a few weeks.
The aim of sclerotherapy is to treat varicose veins and prevent possible complications, reduce or eliminate complaints, improve hemodynamic disorders, as well as aesthetic and functional improvements. This action can be performed on certain types of varicose veins:
- Truncal vein
- Collateral veins
- Varicose veins associated with perforation of incompetent veins
- Reticular vein varicose veins
- Spider veins
- Residual or recurrence of varicose veins after treatment
6. Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA)
EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) is a method for treating varicose veins using laser technology to restore the condition of swollen veins so as to minimize invasive surgical procedures.
The principle of EVLA therapy is to use a laser to constrict blood vessels. The advantages of EVLA compared to regular surgery are numerous. In EVLA the time required is quite short, namely 20-30 minutes compared to normal surgery which takes 2-3 hours for one operation. In terms of hospital treatment, EVLA requires shorter treatment time and patients can immediately return to their activities. In terms of surgical scars, EVLA only uses small wounds so it does not damage a person's appearance and does not pose a risk of keloids. In terms of risk of infection, EVLA has a small risk of infection due to the small surgical wound. In addition, the EVLA method is compared with open surgery and EVLA has a recurrence rate of less than 5%.
Article written by dr. Ivan Rinaldi, Sp.B, Subsp.BVE(K), M.Biomed (Surgeon Specialist - Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Subspecialist at EMC Sentul Hospital).