Medical: Varicosis
- Varices
- Varicose Veins
Definition varicose veins
Varicose veins, which in medical jargon are called varices, are superficial veins that are dilated in a sack-like or cylindrical shape. This phenomenon usually occurs on the legs. A distinction can be made between primary and secondary varicose veins. Primary varicose veins are those that do not have a causative disease, while secondary varicose veins (varicose veins) always have a previous disease as their cause.
Cause and development of varicose veins
With varicose veins, only the veins are affected. Veins are the vessels that transport the blood back to the heart. This is done with the help of the so-called muscle pump, among other things.
This means that the veins are usually located in muscle boxes, i.e. between the muscles, and are thus compressed with every movement. This supports the return flow of blood to the heart. Depending on the type of varicose veins (primary or secondary varicose veins), there are various causes.
The following factors are responsible for the development of primary varicose veins: Secondary varicose veins are mainly caused by a congestion of the blood flow within the venous system. In liver cirrhosis, for example, the blood from the vein leading to the liver (portal vein) backs up, which is medically referred to as portal hypertension. Circulatory bypasses, so-called anastomoses, are formed to transport the used, oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart.
Varicose veins can thus typically form in the esophagus. The medical term for this is esophageal varices (esophagus = esophagus; varices = varicose veins). If bleeding from this form of varicose vein occurs, a life-threatening esophageal varicose bleeding occurs.
Another bypass route is via the veins of the abdominal wall around the navel. The resulting varices are called Caput medusea. Caput medusea means translated: head of the medusa.
This name comes from the fact that Medusa wore a head covering made of snakes, which is very similar to the appearance of the varices around the navel. Varicose veins often occur as a result of thrombosis.
- Family burden (especially on the maternal side)
- Congenital absence of venous valves (avalvulie)
- Insufficiency (insufficient function) of the venous valves
- Weakness of the vein wall
- Chronic constipation (constipation)
- Adiposity (obesity)
- Pregnancy
