So last week, 10th to 16th August, India recorded maximum Covid 19 cases, ie 4,34,003 cases, a week earlier the cases tally stood at 4,09,730. Country has also crossed the figure of 50,000 deaths, which took 156 days, while the USA had achieved this figure in just 23 days. Now if we talk of Maharashtra the total number of cases’ figure stands at 5.96+ Lakh with death figure at 20,037 and corresponding figure 0f Mumbai stands at 1.29 lakh and 7133.Where As Maharashtra has 1.58 lakh active cases, Mumbai has only 17,825 active cases: in percentage these figures corresponds to 26.5% and 11.3%. The case fatality rate of Mumbai is higher at5.5% as compared to 3.4% of Maharashtra.
Now coming to my other topic of the day:
It has been estimated that around 15 to 20% of world’s population suffers from this diseases called VARICOSE VEINS. In India, the prevalence is much lesser.
What is varicose vein
One of the indication of this disease is the appearance of the veins, often in the legs, as enlarged, swollen or purplish in colour. The veins look as they are bulging with the blood. This disease is also called Varicose or Varicosites, and is something that is often ignored by the people. They feel that it is minor and cosmetic issue rather than the health issue. The condition may be painful as well and is seen more in women than in men.
Causes
Basically presence of varicose veins is an indication that your veins are not functioning in a proper manner. The veins have one way valve to ensure that the blood does not flow backward. So when these valves fail to function, the blood gets collected in veins, leading to this situation. It is usually seen in the legs as this is as the farthest possible from the heart. Hence it makes it tough for these veins to move the blood up towards your heart as is the normal case. So that they collected in the veins of your legs. At times, apart from swelling and discolouration, the veins may get even ulcers and start to bleed.
Factors
A few other factors that can cause or contribute to this condition are
- Age over 50 years
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Standing on one’s legs for long duration (like teaching jobs)
- Obesity
When to meet doctor
If you see any of the above symptoms anywhere in your body, especially in the legs, do not wait for the situation to precipitate. Meet a doctor immediately so that it can be diagnosed foe what it is. If it is indeed varicose veins, the doctor will suggest the further line of treatment. The doctor may study your family and medical history, as well as occupation and symptoms to understand what tests need to be done to understand your blood flow. Mostly treatments also include lifestyle changes, apart from some medication to treat the symptoms and conserve the vein function.
Treatment options
Your doctor is best judge to decide your line of treatment, and these may include:
1 Compression- Wearing specially designed socks or stockings that will compress the veins with enough pressure so that they start flowing naturally towards your heart.
2 Surgery- If simple lifestyle changes and compression are not working, and the condition is far gone, the you may be advised surgery, during which the doctor steps the veins using incisions. However, this invasive option is usually the last cut option.
3 Scierotherappy-In this therapy, a liquid or foam chemical injection is used to block off larger vein.
4 Microscierotherapy- In this case, a liquid chemical injection is used to block off, the smaller veins.
5 Laser Surgery- This is non invasive laser surgery that uses light energy to block off a vein.
6 Endovenous ablation therapy- Here, heat and radio frequency waves are used to block off vein.
7 Endoscopy vein surgery- In this case, a small lighted scope is inserted through a small incision to block off a vein.
Based on what doctor suggests, you may discuss the treatment options and try to understand how it works, and what is involved. It is not a one time treatment and you may require periodic visits to clinic to ensure that condition does nor recur.
Prevention
- Avoid standing for long hours.
- Maintain healthy body weight
- Regular exercise that helps in blood circulation.
If you already have it, follow the doctor’s advice as best as you can, to maintain healthy normal life. Keeping the leg elevated during sleep can help relieve the condition.
Waiting for your feed backs/comments/views.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
17th August 2020