TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAMME ON KNOWLEDGE REGARDING VARICOSE VEINS AND ITS PREVENTION AMONG OT AND ICU STAFF NURSES

Many factors predispose human beings to a disease of the lower extremities, and this condition affects approximately eighty million Americans. Itsmanifestations may appear to be little more than a cosmetic nuisance, yet it may be an indication of a more serious underlying problem undetected by visual inspection. Venous disease is also capable of producing a plethora of uncomfortable symptoms, and left untreated, may progress to cutaneous pigmentation, dermatitis, ulceration, haemorrhage, or superficial thrombophlebitis. Although uncomplicated cases of the disease are more common, venous disease should not be taken lightly. Steps to retard disease expression and progression should be implemented whenever possible. As blood rushes through our legs the veins send it back to the heart. In case of prolonged standing, due to force of gravity the veins lose their ability to push the blood upwards, causing the blood to settle down in certain areas of the veins. Varicose veins are tortuous, distended and bulging vein s (varicosities) beneath the skin of the legs. They are most often swollen and gnarled veins that most frequently occur in the legs, ankles and feet. Even though the exact cause of varicose veins is unknown, there are some risk factors which contribute to development of this problem. Some of the risk factors are, low physical activity, smoking, family heredity of varicose veins, congenital valve or vein wall defects, valve damage from trauma, obstruction, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or inflammation, chronic venous distention associated with occupations requiring prolonged standing, obesity or pregnancy, systemic conditions that interfere with venous return and loss of vein wall elasticity with ageing.