Mrs White Varicose Veins

a) As the veins are responsible for returning deoxygenated blood to the heart, they are most often working against gravity. The blood is prevented from reversing direction through large venous valves. However, if the pressure applied downwards on these valves is great enough and applied for a significant period of time, such in the case of prolonged periods of standing, the edges of the veins can become distended and eventually prevent the edges of the valves from successfully sealing. Varicosities are caused when the venous valves become unable to support the blood above them, and allow the blood to flow backwards through the veins (1). The veins most likely to be affected by varicosities are the veins in the lower body, particularly the veins in the legs.

b) The venous valves in Mrs White legs are unable to support the blood above them, causing the some of the blood to flow downwards. The edges of the veins have becomes stretched to the point where they have become noticeably visible. Mrs White’s circulatory system has, in order to compensate for the pooling of blood, increased the total circulating blood volume to maintain the total cardiac output of the body (1).

c) There are many factors that could have contributed to Mrs White’s leg veins becoming varicose. Varicose veins can occur during
Mrs White can undergo sclerotherapy, the injection of irritant drugs into the veins, causing them to spasm and collapse, allowing the venous valves to once again seal the veins. Compression stockings are also a recommended treatment, as they apply pressure of the veins and allow the blood to move more efficiently (3). Compression stockings can be used either by themselves, or by in conjunction with sclerotherapy. Other methods of alleviating her symptoms include, limiting the amount of time spent standing and sitting, and keeping her legs