Adult Varicose Veins Healthcare Professional Version Kathy Hotz RN Varicose veins are a very common condition that affects one or more of the large veins most commonly in the legs or pelvis. This venous disease occurs when there is alteration in the integrity of the veins. These veins become distended and because of an inherent weakness in the vessel wall or a malfunction of one of the one-way valves the veins bulge and become distended causing pain, thrombus and venous stasis. Pain may be a result of edema usually in the feet and ankles due to the venous pooling.
Patients experience a feeling of heaviness or leg aching after periods of time on their feet.
They find that there leg muscles tire easier and they may experience puritis at the site of where the vessels are engorged. To relieve the pain you can teach your patients to avoid wearing restrictive clothing like garter belts. They can be fitted with support hose or Ted hose to promote better circulation. Encourage regular walking and exercise that also increases circulation and will help patients maintain their ideal weight. Elevation of the extremity can help relieve some of the discomfort by helping the pooling blood to return upward to the heart.