Varicose vein complaints should not be neglected

Providing information on the causes of varicose vein complaints during pregnancy and the precautions to be taken, Cardiovascular Surgeon Prof. Dr. Cengiz Köksal stated that varicose veins, which are common enough to be seen in 30 percent of the general population, are essentially defined as a 'benign' vascular disease, adding, "The most important risk factor for varicose veins is familial predisposition." 

In addition to this, occupational risk factors and the changing body physiology during pregnancy are also factors that increase the formation of varicose veins and related complaints. Professionally, job groups that work standing still for long periods, such as teachers, waiters, hairdressers, barbers, office workers, and surgeons, are at serious risk.

Although varicose veins are a benign vascular disease, neglecting them can lead to consequences that negatively affect a person's quality of life; if a clot forms in the veins, it can even pose a life-threatening risk by causing a pulmonary embolism," he said.

INCREASED SWELLING AND ITCHING IN THE FEET

Stating that the increase in progesterone hormone during pregnancy, excessive weight gain, and increased body blood volume are among the risk factors for varicose veins, Köksal emphasized that the most important factor arises from the baby's growth in the womb, noting, "The growth of the baby in the womb puts pressure on the veins in the legs, partially hindering the return of venous blood from the legs to the lungs."

While the return of blood in the veins to the lungs decreases during pregnancy, the blood pooling in the legs causes the formation of new varicose veins or makes existing ones more prominent. For this reason, complaints such as increased swelling in the feet, itching, a feeling of heaviness, leg cramps, and pain also increase in pregnant women with varicose vein problems.

In more advanced stages, if precautions are not taken, clots can form in the veins, and this clot can travel to the lungs, potentially causing sudden death, or the formation of clots in the deep veins can lead to ulcers in the legs due to deep vein insufficiency after pregnancy," he said.

Köksal offered the following recommendations to protect against varicose veins or alleviate complaints during pregnancy:

“It should not be forgotten that varicose vein treatment is an aesthetic procedure and is generally resolved without surgery. While varicose veins that look like thin spider webs are eliminated with a micro-injection method called sclerotherapy, more advanced stages of varicose veins are treated with radiofrequency or laser.

Calf muscles should be exercised with frequent walks, which helps pump venous blood upward and prevents it from pooling in the legs. One should not cross their legs while sitting, avoid tight clothing such as leggings that compress the upper part of the legs, stay away from high heels, place a support under the legs while sitting, and wear compression stockings specifically designed for pregnant women, which will help move the blood pooled in the legs upward. Sleeping on the left side should be preferred as this puts less pressure on the main vein, and the intake of excessive salt and salty products (products containing sodium; such as soda, carbonated drinks, and pickles) should be avoided during pregnancy."