What does it mean when varicose veins occasionally have blocked blood flow?

Written by Zhang Xue Min
Vascular Surgery
Updated on September 17, 2024
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The so-called varicose veins are caused by blood circulation blockages, which likely refers to local thrombus formation, leading to feelings of congestion in lower limbs, or caused by compression from above, such as tight clothing, exacerbating the obstruction of blood flow. This might result in increased surface tension of varicose veins in the lower extremities. Additionally, there might be some pain upon pressing, or even spontaneous pain.

In such cases, differentiated treatment is required. For instance, if the issue is due to compressive clothing, like tight-knee socks or pants legs that are too tight, simply relieving the pressure should suffice.

However, if a thrombus has formed causing increased local tension, pressing or massaging must be strictly avoided, as there is a risk the thrombus might dislodge and potentially lead to pulmonary embolism.

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Varicocele generally cannot be cured, and most patients with varicocele do not have any symptoms and only discover their condition during physical examinations. Such patients can temporarily be under observation, but they should regularly have their varicocele rechecked and also have their semen quality tested. If there are abnormalities in semen quality, timely surgical treatment is necessary. Clinically, a small number of varicocele patients exhibit significant symptoms, typically presenting as discomfort and pain on the affected side of the scrotum, especially after long periods of walking or standing, with pain becoming more pronounced. In such cases, prompt surgical intervention is generally necessary, and surgery can also improve the quality of the patient's semen.

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Can people with varicose veins in the lower extremities drink alcohol?

The majority of patients with varicose veins in the lower limbs can drink alcohol in moderation, but should not drink excessively. However, there is one circumstance where it is advisable to check carefully before deciding whether to drink alcohol. This is the case if there are severe varicose veins in both lower limbs and even some clearly visible dilated veins on the abdomen. In such cases, it's recommended to check the liver first. This is because the veins from the lower limbs join to form a vein called the inferior vena cava, which passes through the liver to return to the heart. If there is a problem with the liver, it may compress the inferior vena cava, causing varicose veins on both sides. In this situation, drinking alcohol could further damage the liver, potentially worsening the varicose veins.

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What is the cause of pain in varicose veins?

Varicose veins can sometimes cause localized pain, and there are several reasons for this pain. One reason is the formation of blood clots in the varicose veins, which can cause very obvious pain. Additionally, the affected area feels harder, not soft. When we say soft, it's like the softness of one’s lips; if it feels like the tip of the nose or the forehead, then it's considered very hard. In such cases, it indicates that the vein is not empty but contains a solid blood clot, which can cause pain. Another situation is if there is poor venous return in the proximal segment, causing the veins to fill significantly in a short time. This can also pull on the nerves outside the vein wall, leading to a sensation of pain.

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How should young people deal with varicose veins in the lower legs?

Firstly, for young people with varicose veins in the lower leg, it is recommended to go to the hospital for an ultrasound examination to check the condition of the deep veins. Additionally, consult a professional vascular surgeon to assess the severity. If the deep veins are unobstructed and the superficial varicose veins in the lower leg are not too severe, the doctor will suggest the patient wear medical compression stockings and continue with normal life activities. If the condition is more serious or there are certain issues with the deep veins, the doctor might recommend surgery. For such patients, it is important in daily life to avoid standing or sitting for long periods, and to avoid letting the legs dangle for too long. If standing, one can also step in place appropriately, which helps alleviate varicose veins. Also, when resting, take any opportunity to elevate the legs and avoid soaking feet in hot water.

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Will wearing compression stockings every day help with Grade 2 varicose veins?

In the grading of varicose veins, Grade II signifies that there are obvious superficial vein tortuosity and dilation, and some may even clump together, but without edema and pigmentation. For patients with such newly developed varicose veins, persisting in wearing compression stockings can possibly lead to improvement. The main principle here is that in patients with newly developed Grade II varicose veins, the damage to the venous valves may not be severe, but rather due to venous pressure causing vein dilation, resulting in the valves not closing tightly. In such cases, if we apply external force to ensure the valves close tightly, preventing further vascular dilation and reducing the force of damage to the valves, then there is a possibility of recovery to a certain extent. If the condition has been present for a longer time, and this valvular dilation has already resulted in long-term effects, wearing compression stockings might only help in reducing the potential for further progression, but it is unlikely to improve existing varicose veins significantly.