Varicose and spider veins are a very common problem. A recent survey estimates that nearly 60% of adults have some degree of varicose veins, with most cases occurring in women. Many people seek treatment for cosmetic reasons, but they can also cause aching, tired, and swollen legs; produce a burning, throbbing, or itching sensation; and cause muscle cramps and a general restlessness in the legs. Over time, more serious complications may result.
Not too many years ago, the only viable treatment for varicose veins was to surgically remove them. Called “vein stripping,” this was obviously an expensive, serious procedure, that could leave significant scars. While vein disease remains a potentially serious condition, The Vein Center can now offer fast, minimally invasive treatments that are easy for patients to schedule on an out-patient basis. In the hands of the specialists at The Vein Center, these procedures can produce great results for most vein disease cases.
Here are the basic facts about “venous disease”:
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins can appear either bulging or rope-like, or small and thread-like (often called "spider veins"). The veins in our body work to carry blood back to the heart. They use a one-way valve and muscle contractions to push the blood against gravity. A vein wall can become weak, or a valve itself can stretch and no longer close properly. Once the valve fails, the veins become filled with blood that can’t flow normally. This causes the veins to distend and bulge.
Spider Veins
Spider veins are especially common and bothersome to women from a cosmetic point of view. Spiders are dark blue little veins that run up and down the legs resembling lines on a road map. They can fan out along the outside of the thigh or inside the lower leg, around the ankles or behind the knees. Sometimes they are grouped in little starburst patterns. Luckily, spider veins are among the easiest to eliminate.
Reticular Veins
Reticular veins are deeper, darker veins that form bluish networks across the thighs and lower legs. While spiders are often harmless, the reticulars are usually the source of the spiders and the reticulars can cause pain. Removing failing reticulars can prevent new spiders from developing.
Varicosities
Varicosities are those large varicose veins resembling ropes that twist up and down the course of the leg or behind the knee. These types of varicose veins often bulge out and become the most unsightly, and they may be painful. They can be prone to blood clots and other long-term complications.
What causes varicose veins?
Heredity plays an important role; many patients who suffer from varicose veins have some family history of the condition. Another clear factor is the hormonal changes that specifically affect women. In particular, pregnancy or birth control pills can both further increase the chances of developing vein disorders. Other contributing factors include prolonged standing, being overweight, and trauma to the leg.
What kind of complications can be caused by varicose veins?
Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to chronically swollen legs, recurrent infections, thrombophlebitis (blood clots within a vein), stasis eczema (irritation of the skin due to poor circulation), non-healing leg sores, or bleeding veins.