Friday, May 19, 2017

What are varicose vein

What are varicose veins?
varicose vein
Varicose veins, also known as varicoses or varicosities, occur when your veins become enlarged, dilated, and overfilled with blood. Varicose veins typically appear swollen and raised, and have a bluish-purple or red color. They are often painful.

The condition is very common, especially in women. Around 25 percent of all adults have varicose veins. In most cases, varicose veins appear on the lower legs.

CAUSES

Causes of varicose veins
Varicose veins occur when veins aren’t functioning properly. Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When these valves fail, blood begins to collect in the veins rather than continuing toward your heart. The veins then enlarge. Varicose veins often affect the legs. The veins there are the farthest from your heart, and gravity makes it harder for the blood to flow upward.

Some potential causes for varicose veins include:

pregnancy
menopause
age over 50
standing for long periods of time
obesity
family history of varicose veins
SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of varicose veins
The primary symptoms of varicose veins are highly visible, misshapen veins, usually on your legs. You may also have pain, swelling, heaviness, and achiness over or around the enlarged veins.

In some cases, you can develop swelling and discoloration. In severe cases, the veins can bleed significantly, and ulcers can form.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosing varicose veins
Your doctor will likely examine your legs and visible veins while you’re sitting or standing to diagnose varicose veins. They may ask you about any pain or symptoms you’re having.

Your doctor may also want to do an ultrasound to check your blood flow. This is a noninvasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves. It allows your doctor to see how blood is flowing in your veins.

Depending on the location, a venogram may be done to further assess your veins. During this test, your doctor injects a special dye into your legs and takes X-rays of the area. The dye appears on the X-rays, giving your doctor a better view of how your blood is flowing.

Tests such as ultrasounds or venograms help ensure that another disorder like a blood clot or a blockage isn’t causing the pain and swelling in your legs.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Treating and preventing varicose veins
In general, doctors are conservative when treating varicose veins. You’ll probably be advised to make changes to your lifestyle, instead of trying more aggressive treatments.

Lifestyle changes
The following changes may help prevent varicose veins from forming or becoming worse:

Avoid standing for extended periods of time.
Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise to improve your circulation.
Use compression socks or stockings.
If you already have varicose veins, you should take these steps to prevent new varicose veins. You should also elevate your legs whenever you’re resting or sleeping.

Compression
Your doctor may advise you to wear special compression socks or stockings. These place enough pressure on your legs so that blood can flow more easily to your heart. They also decrease swelling.

The level of compression varies, but most types of compression stockings are available in drugstores or medical supply stores.

Surgery
If lifestyle changes aren’t working, or if your varicose veins are causing a lot of pain or damaging your overall health, your doctor might try an invasive procedure.

Vein ligation and stripping is a surgical treatment that requires anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon makes cuts in your skin, cuts the varicose vein, and removes it through the incisions. Although updated variations of vein-stripping surgeries have been developed, they are less commonly performed because newer, less invasive options are available.

Other treatment options
Currently, a wide variety of minimally invasive treatment options for varicose veins are available. These include:

sclerotherapy, using a liquid or foam chemical injection to block off a larger vein
microsclerotherapy, using a liquid chemical injection to block off smaller veins
laser surgery, using light energy to block off a vein
endovenous ablation therapy, using heat and radiofrequency waves to block off a vein
endoscopic vein surgery, using a small lighted scope inserted through a small incision to block off a vein
You should always talk to your doctor about your treatment options and the risks before choosing a method. The method recommended can depend on your symptoms, size, and location of the varicose vein.

OUTLOOK

Outlook for people with varicose veins
Varicose veins normally get worse over time. This is true even if you make the necessary lifestyle changes to control them and manage your pain. While they may be unsightly, they usually don’t cause any long-term medical problems.

In some cases, varicose veins can lead to ulcers or sores on your legs, blood clots, or chronic inflammation. If you have a severe case, your veins could rupture.

You should see your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms. They may then suggest taking a more aggressive approach, such as surgery or other interventions.

Article ResourcesWhat are varicose veins?
Varicose veins, also known as varicoses or varicosities, occur when your veins become enlarged, dilated, and overfilled with blood. Varicose veins typically appear swollen and raised, and have a bluish-purple or red color. They are often painful.

The condition is very common, especially in women. Around 25 percent of all adults have varicose veins. In most cases, varicose veins appear on the lower legs.

CAUSES

Causes of varicose veins
Varicose veins occur when veins aren’t functioning properly. Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When these valves fail, blood begins to collect in the veins rather than continuing toward your heart. The veins then enlarge. Varicose veins often affect the legs. The veins there are the farthest from your heart, and gravity makes it harder for the blood to flow upward.

Some potential causes for varicose veins include:

pregnancy
menopause
age over 50
standing for long periods of time
obesity
family history of varicose veins
SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of varicose veins
The primary symptoms of varicose veins are highly visible, misshapen veins, usually on your legs. You may also have pain, swelling, heaviness, and achiness over or around the enlarged veins.

In some cases, you can develop swelling and discoloration. In severe cases, the veins can bleed significantly, and ulcers can form.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosing varicose veins
Your doctor will likely examine your legs and visible veins while you’re sitting or standing to diagnose varicose veins. They may ask you about any pain or symptoms you’re having.

Your doctor may also want to do an ultrasound to check your blood flow. This is a noninvasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves. It allows your doctor to see how blood is flowing in your veins.

Depending on the location, a venogram may be done to further assess your veins. During this test, your doctor injects a special dye into your legs and takes X-rays of the area. The dye appears on the X-rays, giving your doctor a better view of how your blood is flowing.

Tests such as ultrasounds or venograms help ensure that another disorder like a blood clot or a blockage isn’t causing the pain and swelling in your legs.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Treating and preventing varicose veins
In general, doctors are conservative when treating varicose veins. You’ll probably be advised to make changes to your lifestyle, instead of trying more aggressive treatments.

Lifestyle changes
The following changes may help prevent varicose veins from forming or becoming worse:

Avoid standing for extended periods of time.
Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise to improve your circulation.
Use compression socks or stockings.
If you already have varicose veins, you should take these steps to prevent new varicose veins. You should also elevate your legs whenever you’re resting or sleeping.

Compression
Your doctor may advise you to wear special compression socks or stockings. These place enough pressure on your legs so that blood can flow more easily to your heart. They also decrease swelling.

The level of compression varies, but most types of compression stockings are available in drugstores or medical supply stores.

Surgery
If lifestyle changes aren’t working, or if your varicose veins are causing a lot of pain or damaging your overall health, your doctor might try an invasive procedure.

Vein ligation and stripping is a surgical treatment that requires anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon makes cuts in your skin, cuts the varicose vein, and removes it through the incisions. Although updated variations of vein-stripping surgeries have been developed, they are less commonly performed because newer, less invasive options are available.

Other treatment options
Currently, a wide variety of minimally invasive treatment options for varicose veins are available. These include:

sclerotherapy, using a liquid or foam chemical injection to block off a larger vein
microsclerotherapy, using a liquid chemical injection to block off smaller veins
laser surgery, using light energy to block off a vein
endovenous ablation therapy, using heat and radiofrequency waves to block off a vein
endoscopic vein surgery, using a small lighted scope inserted through a small incision to block off a vein
You should always talk to your doctor about your treatment options and the risks before choosing a method. The method recommended can depend on your symptoms, size, and location of the varicose vein.

OUTLOOK

Outlook for people with varicose veins
Varicose veins normally get worse over time. This is true even if you make the necessary lifestyle changes to control them and manage your pain. While they may be unsightly, they usually don’t cause any long-term medical problems.

In some cases, varicose veins can lead to ulcers or sores on your legs, blood clots, or chronic inflammation. If you have a severe case, your veins could rupture.

You should see your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms. They may then suggest taking a more aggressive approach, such as surgery or other interventions.

Article ResourcesWhat are varicose veins?
Varicose veins, also known as varicoses or varicosities, occur when your veins become enlarged, dilated, and overfilled with blood. Varicose veins typically appear swollen and raised, and have a bluish-purple or red color. They are often painful.

The condition is very common, especially in women. Around 25 percent of all adults have varicose veins. In most cases, varicose veins appear on the lower legs.

CAUSES

Causes of varicose veins
Varicose veins occur when veins aren’t functioning properly. Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When these valves fail, blood begins to collect in the veins rather than continuing toward your heart. The veins then enlarge. Varicose veins often affect the legs. The veins there are the farthest from your heart, and gravity makes it harder for the blood to flow upward.

Some potential causes for varicose veins include:

pregnancy
menopause
age over 50
standing for long periods of time
obesity
family history of varicose veins
SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of varicose veins
The primary symptoms of varicose veins are highly visible, misshapen veins, usually on your legs. You may also have pain, swelling, heaviness, and achiness over or around the enlarged veins.

In some cases, you can develop swelling and discoloration. In severe cases, the veins can bleed significantly, and ulcers can form.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosing varicose veins
Your doctor will likely examine your legs and visible veins while you’re sitting or standing to diagnose varicose veins. They may ask you about any pain or symptoms you’re having.

Your doctor may also want to do an ultrasound to check your blood flow. This is a noninvasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves. It allows your doctor to see how blood is flowing in your veins.

Depending on the location, a venogram may be done to further assess your veins. During this test, your doctor injects a special dye into your legs and takes X-rays of the area. The dye appears on the X-rays, giving your doctor a better view of how your blood is flowing.

Tests such as ultrasounds or venograms help ensure that another disorder like a blood clot or a blockage isn’t causing the pain and swelling in your legs.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Treating and preventing varicose veins
In general, doctors are conservative when treating varicose veins. You’ll probably be advised to make changes to your lifestyle, instead of trying more aggressive treatments.

Lifestyle changes
The following changes may help prevent varicose veins from forming or becoming worse:

Avoid standing for extended periods of time.
Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise to improve your circulation.
Use compression socks or stockings.
If you already have varicose veins, you should take these steps to prevent new varicose veins. You should also elevate your legs whenever you’re resting or sleeping.

Compression
Your doctor may advise you to wear special compression socks or stockings. These place enough pressure on your legs so that blood can flow more easily to your heart. They also decrease swelling.

The level of compression varies, but most types of compression stockings are available in drugstores or medical supply stores.

Surgery
If lifestyle changes aren’t working, or if your varicose veins are causing a lot of pain or damaging your overall health, your doctor might try an invasive procedure.

Vein ligation and stripping is a surgical treatment that requires anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon makes cuts in your skin, cuts the varicose vein, and removes it through the incisions. Although updated variations of vein-stripping surgeries have been developed, they are less commonly performed because newer, less invasive options are available.

Other treatment options
Currently, a wide variety of minimally invasive treatment options for varicose veins are available. These include:

sclerotherapy, using a liquid or foam chemical injection to block off a larger vein
microsclerotherapy, using a liquid chemical injection to block off smaller veins
laser surgery, using light energy to block off a vein
endovenous ablation therapy, using heat and radiofrequency waves to block off a vein
endoscopic vein surgery, using a small lighted scope inserted through a small incision to block off a vein
You should always talk to your doctor about your treatment options and the risks before choosing a method. The method recommended can depend on your symptoms, size, and location of the varicose vein.

OUTLOOK

Outlook for people with varicose veins
Varicose veins normally get worse over time. This is true even if you make the necessary lifestyle changes to control them and manage your pain. While they may be unsightly, they usually don’t cause any long-term medical problems.

In some cases, varicose veins can lead to ulcers or sores on your legs, blood clots, or chronic inflammation. If you have a severe case, your veins could rupture.

You should see your doctor if you develop any of these symptoms. They may then suggest taking a more aggressive approach, such as surgery or other interventions.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

 Edinburgh - Paracetomol (called acetaminophen in some countries) is a medication intended to treat pain and fever. The effects last between two and four hours. Often the drug is combined with other ingredients; for example, self-medication in fixed combination with aspirin and caffeine is used for the temporary relief of mild to moderate pain associated with migraine headache. The medication is regarded as safe when taken at the recommended doses; however, serious skin rashes can occur, and too high a dose can result in liver failure. The toxic dose is around 4 grams per day or greater. The issues with the liver fall under the general medical term hepatotoxicity.
Approval for the PledPharma trial has been agreed by the UK health regulator. The trial involves a new product called Aladote. The trial will review the safety and tolerability of Aladote. This will be in combination with the current recommended treatment for the prevention of acute liver failure due to paracetamol poisoning (using a drug called N-acetylcysteine).
Initial experiments, using animals, have shown Aladote may be effective at reducing liver damage, provided it is administered within a period more than eight hours after a paracetamol overdose (and up to twenty-four hours of the overdose having been taken). This time point is important because current treatments are designed to address complications arising from an overdose with eight hours; yet many people do not report problems until after eight hours have elapsed. The new study will take place in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh, using a team led by Dr James Dear.
In relation to the clinical timescale, Dr. Dear said: “During the first 24 hours after paracetamol poisoning people usually experience few or no symptoms. Therefore, many patients come to hospital at such a late stage that the current standard treatment is not sufficient to prevent acute liver failure.”
The issue of paracetamol poisoning is of medical importance. In the U.K. alone there are 50,000 emergency hospital admissions, with an average of 200 deaths, per year, as the result of paracetamol poisoning. Often people inadvertently take an overdose not realizing that many medicines contain paracetomol. In severe cases a liver transplant is required, which carries considerable risks to the patient.