Pregnant women, teenagers prone to varicose veins

KA: Divesh Nath
For WE Health,Beauty & Sex special

Name:Sudha Hariharan
A/cNo: 424
Date: February 21,2010
Pregnant women, teenagers prone to Varicose Veins
Nature has provided for the need to push used blood back to the heart by 2 unique devices---the location of the veins and a system of valves. The veins in the legs are woven among the muscles so that when each muscle contracts, it squeezes a vein. Squeezing the vein pushes the blood closer to the heart. The valves in the vein prevent the blood from flowing backwards when the muscle relaxes
If we spend too much time sitting or standing, the used blood from the lower part of the body does not get the push it needs to return to the heart. This causes fatigue and sluggishness.
Varicose veins result from a failure of the used blood in the legs to return to the heart at the proper rate. The veins may lose some of their elasticity or the valves may fail to close properly. The used blood then accumulates and causes veins to swell. Varicose veins occur often in the legs of people whose jobs require that they stand a great deal.
Dr. Shoaib Padaria pioneered ELVES (Endovenous Laser Treatment of Varicose Veins) in India in January’ 2003. Since then, he has successfully performed over 2,500 procedures. He is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist associated with Jaslok Hospital and other leading hospitals in Mumbai.
“Varicose Veins are enlarged, tortuous, knotty and bulging veins seen in the legs. Some of these veins may be very tiny (reticular or spider veins), while others are typically larger, increasing in size when you stand for a long period of time. In fact, this condition is known to be hereditary, and in such cases symptomatic patients could even be teenager’s “, says Dr. Shoaib. Padaria. There are two types of veins that carry blood in the body---deep veins and superficial veins. The blood flows from the superficial veins to the deep veins. These veins have valves which control the blood flow and keep the blood flowing towards the heart. However, when these valves do not function properly, the blood flows in the wrong way, leading to varicose veins.


“Varicose veins are prominent during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the growing uterus puts added pressure on the veins. As a result, the valves are also squeezed and the blood flow to our heart is disrupted. This condition is very common during the third trimester because this is when the uterus will be at its heaviest.”
“ If you are having a twin pregnancy, there are greater chances of being affected by varicose veins. During the last trimester of pregnancy, the veins on your legs may become prominent and get a dark purple or blue colouration. Apart from that, you will also experience pain in your limbs. These are symptoms of varicose veins. Usually, the symptoms disappear after delivery, but in serious cases, the bluish colouration of the veins can stay for life”, adds Dr. Shoaib.
While it usually causes problems in people over the age of 50, quite a few patients are also younger. In fact, varicose veins are known to be hereditary, and in such cases symptomatic patients could even be teenagers. It is important to diagnose varicose veins early. “In the past,” says Dr. Shoaib,” the only option was surgery – legations and stripping were used to remove a damaged vein and prevent further complications of vein damage. Today, there’s a permanent treatment for varicose veins: the laser technique.”
Endovenous Laser Treatment of Varicose Veins (ELVES) in an outpatient procedure usually completed within an hour in a clinical setting. It utilizes a diode laser, which deliver’s laser energy at a wavelength of 980 nanomicrons. This wavelength is optimally suited for absorption by haemoglobin in the blood, and does not cause any thermal injury to structures around the veins. ELVES is a safe and quick procedure that offers successful results without the complications of surgery.
Meenakshi Desai in her ninth month of pregnancy felt a sudden pain in her thigh. A bulge appeared where the pain was. Over the next seven years, it became a painful varicose vein. Eventually, the vein ran from her groin to her ankle and inhibited her in everything, from walking to caring for her children.




Mr. Sarang, a 50- year- old builder from Pune, loved walking and going for hikes in the Sahyadri Hills. A regular at the Mumbai Marathon, last year he found that he could not complete the run owing to severe pain in his legs, because of varicose veins that he had developed many years ago.
Mr. Dedhia, owner of a grocery shop, had to stand in his small shop for up to 14 hours every day. Over the years, he developed swelling in both his feet, and finally painful ulcers near his ankles that refused to heal. He was diagnosed with varicose veins.
All the above were advised regular surgery but were scared to undergo the procedure as it would hamper their lifestyle and leave scars. However, all of them finally benefited from Endovenous Laser Treatment by Dr. Padaria.
ELVES have many advantages over surgery. The treatment is performed under local anesthesia and with ultrasound guidance. A small needle is inserted into the dilated varicose veins, and a thin laser wire is passed through the needle into the vein. Laser energy delivered into the vein seals and closes the vein painlessly. The main varicose vein and its branches are closed in a similar manner, and the entire procedure takes about 30 minutes. A compression bandage is applied over the treated leg, and the patient can walk home soon after, resuming normal work the next day. The patient is required to wear special full-length stockings (socks) during waking hours for about two months after the treatment.
Many people with varicose veins live without any symptoms. However, in others, it can limit their lifestyle. Aches and pains in the legs, cramps in the calves, heaviness in the legs and swelling around the ankles while standing are common symptoms. Sometimes enlarged veins can rupture, causing sudden bleeding. A clot may form within the dilated vein and can travel to the heart. It is quite easy to diagnose varicose veins. A simple ultrasound called the Venous Doppler can show the leaking valves and swollen veins.




Meenakshi Desai, who was treated by Dr. Shoaib Padaria, says, ‘I instantly felt better.” She now feels no discomfort while walking or playing with her children.
“Everyone is at risk when it comes to developing varicose veins,” says Dr. Padaria. “But the main cause is genetic, with women nearly twice as likely to suffer as men. People with past venous diseases, new mothers, overweight individuals and people with jobs or hobbies requiring extended standing are at increased risk.”
“Meenakshi Desai’s experience shows that varicose veins can have a dramatic effect on lifestyle,” Dr. Padaria says. “They can progress from being a cosmetic nuisance to a serious medical problem causing swelling and pain in the legs. But thanks to laser treatment, these veins now can be removed simply, without surgery.”
Dr. Shoaib Padaria pioneered this treatment in India in January’ 2003. Since then, he has successfully performed over 2,500 procedures. He is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist associated with Jaslok Hospital and other leading hospitals in Mumbai.