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Varicose veins

Varices venarum · Křečové žíly (varixy)

What it is

Failed vein valves let blood pool; the veins stretch and twist.

Symptoms & signs

  • Bulging ropey veins
  • aching heavy legs
  • itching
  • ankle swelling
  • skin darkening late on

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Bleeding from a vein that won't stop with pressure and a raised leg
  • see a doctor soon Hot, hard, painful lump along a vein
  • see a doctor soon Swollen, painful calf on one side
  • see a doctor soon Skin darkening, eczema or a sore near the ankle

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Compression stockings
  • endovenous laser or radiofrequency ablation
  • foam sclerotherapy
  • stripping (rare now)
  • cyanoacrylate glue closure (VenaSeal) — FDA-approved 2015

Natural & lifestyle

  • Leg elevation
  • walking
  • weight loss
  • avoid long standing
  • horse chestnut seed extract (evidence-backed)

Emerging & experimental

  • Mechanochemical ablation

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Horse chestnut seed extract — trials show less swelling and ache, like compression trials support
  • Micronised flavonoids (diosmin, hesperidin) — trials show better symptoms and faster ulcer healing mixed evidence
  • Butcher's broom and grape-seed extract — small trials mixed evidence
  • Apple cider vinegar compresses — folk remedy; untested anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes