Varicose Veins

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Varicose (VAR-i-kos) veins are veins that are enlarged, twisted, and swollen. Veins are blood vessels that bring blood from your body back to your heart. Veins have valves (stoppers) that open and close to keep the blood flowing in one direction. Varicose veins are often seen in the legs, but may occur in other parts of the body. If the valves in the veins do not work properly, blood may not flow toward the heart. This increases pressure in the vein causing it to stretch, enlarge, swell, and become twisted. Varicose veins are commonly seen in the aged, pregnant women, smokers, and those who are overweight. Standing or sitting for long periods of time may varicose veins worse.
  
  
• You may see bluish or purplish, snake-like veins under your skin that may bulge. Leg pain, swelling, a feeling of heaviness, and muscle cramps may also be present. Varicose veins, particularly of the legs, may be diagnosed through a physical exam. A test called a doppler ultrasound or duplex scan may be done. Treatment aims to decrease symptoms, improve appearance, and prevent further problems. This may include some changes in lifestyle, use of pressure stockings, or through other procedures. With treatment, more serious problems of varicose veins may be prevented and your quality of life improved.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Some varicose vein treatments cause side effects. You could bleed too much with surgery or get an infection. You may have numbness or bruising at the area where the varicose vein was treated. Even with treatment, they may come back. If left untreated, varicose veins may cause leg pains, which may affect your daily activities. Sometimes, ulcers may form on the skin near varicose veins because of too much pressure inside the veins. If you develop ulcers, you should see your caregiver at once. The success of treating varicose veins is best when they are controlled and treated as soon as possible. Ask your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your condition, care, or treatment.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines: Your caregiver may give you the following kinds of medicines:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain. Medicine may be given regularly, or may only be given if you ask caregivers for it. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease enough for you to feel better. Do not wait to ask for your pain medicine until the pain is very bad. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Ask your caregiver for help getting out of bed if you feel tired or dizzy.

Tests:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• Doppler ultrasound: This is a simple test that uses sound waves to see your veins on a TV-like screen. A doppler ultrasound study may also be called a duplex scan. Caregivers look for clots in the veins near the area of your pain and redness. You may also be able to hear your blood flow during this test.

Treatment options:

• Ablation: Using an ultrasound to guide them, caregivers insert a catheter (tube) into your vein. This catheter gives off heat through radiofrequency (RF) or laser energy.
  
  
• Phlebectomy: This surgery, also called avulsion, is done to remove big varicose veins.
  
  
  • Ambulatory phlebectomy: Caregivers make small cuts in your skin and pull out the affected vein using a hook or forceps.
    
    
  • Powered phlebectomy: A mechanical device with a blade that rotates is used to destroy the varicose vein. Vein pieces are then removed by suction connected to the device.
  
  
• Sclerotherapy: This procedure is done to seal a varicose vein. Your caregiver injects a solution into your vein. This solution causes the vein walls to swell and close, preventing blood from going through. This procedure may be done with the use of ultrasound to guide caregivers.
  
  
• Stripping: The affected vein is tied off to stop blood from flowing through it. It is then stripped (removed) out of the leg using a wire, plastic, or metal rod.

Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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