Our COVID-19 Guidelines
Existing clients, book your next visit.
Book Consultation
Search site...

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are distended twisted ropy veins, most often found on legs. The word “varicose” originated from a Latin root “varix” for twisted. They are veins belonging to the superficial venous network that no longer function properly due to failure of their internal valves. Thus, the blood flow in these veins are much slower than normal, resulting in stagnation and back-pressure, causing problems in surrounding tissues. Varicose veins are not necessarily painful but they may cause problems such as leg heaviness, pain, cramps, swelling, skin discoloration with or without itching, and skin ulcers.

 

Getting to know various kinds of veins

Unwanted blood vessels can vary from small dilated capillaries causing redness of ones face or nose, to telangiectatic vessels and spider veins causing red or blue streaks on face, legs, and body, to ulcer-causing large trunks of ropy-appearing varicose veins on one’s legs.

The difference between varicose and spider veins are size and appearance. Imagine your venous system as a tree, where varicose veins would be a major branch, and spider veins would be the leaves.

Spider Veins (as known as telangiectasias) are like varicose veins but smaller. They also are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. Often, they are red or blue. They can look like tree branches or spiderwebs with their short, jagged lines. They can be found on the legs and face and can cover either a very small or very large area of skin. Reticular Veins are medium-sized veins larger than spider veins and often appear flatter and less twisted. When such reticular veins are connected and supply the spider veins, they are called “feeder veins”. Prominent reticular veins are often a cosmetic problem and can even cause symptoms such as aching or burning

Varicose veins are distended twisted ropy veins, most often found on legs. The word “varicose” originated from a Latin root “varix” for twisted. They are veins belonging to the superficial venous network that no longer function properly due to failure of their internal valves. Thus, the blood flow in these veins are much slower than normal, resulting in stagnation and back-pressure, causing problems in surrounding tissues. Although varicose veins are not necessarily painful, they may cause problems such as leg heaviness, pain, cramps, swelling, skin discoloration with or without itching, and skin ulcers.

 

What Can Be Done To Treat Varicose Veins

Different procedures to remove unwanted vessels and improve spider & varicose veins are available at Medical Spa Club’s Vein Clinic:

  • Broadband Laser (BBL) and vascular laser (Nd:YAG) procedures treat smaller unwanted blood vessels on the face
  • Medium to large sized vessels, reticular and spider veins are often treated with injection sclerotherapy. This involves injecting a sclerosing solution or foam into the affected vein, usually followed by compression with a compressive stocking, causing the treated vessels to collapse and to scar-up, becoming invisible.

Visit our Vein Clinic for more information.

Dr. Pinkhasik is a phlebologist and he will be able to assess and treat your vein conditions. Vein consultation/assessment requires your family doctor’s or clinic’s referral.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes this vein condition?

Varicose veins occur when valves that direct blood flow through them towards the heart fail to function properly. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Congenital absence of the valves.
  • Female sex – varicose veins are 2-3 times more frequent in women than in men.
  • Conditions causing weakening of the tissues forming valves and vein walls, causing vessel dilatation and valve prolapse.
  • Aging.
  • Poor nutrition.
  • Conditions causing increase in venous pressure in the legs.
  • Being overweight.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Standing for long periods of time.
  • Clot within the deep venous system.
  • Pelvic tumors.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

The primary symptom of varicose veins is highly visible, misshapen veins, usually on the legs. You may also have pain, swelling, heaviness, and aches in the legs.  In some cases, you can have swelling, discoloration, or ulcers around your ankles, too.

How do I know if I have varicose veins?

Most often patients diagnose their own varicose veins. The presentation may range from spider veins and streaky reticular veins, to bulging and twisted large varixes. Further details of the condition can be investigated using ultrasound and x-ray investigation to determine the nature of the defect, and to ascertain that the deep venous system is functioning properly.

What can I do to prevent varicose veins?

If you already have these veins there are still things you can do to decrease your symptoms and to slow down progression of your condition:

  • Weight loss – this will decrease the extra pressure from the veins in your legs.
  • Exercise – walking will improve blood flow in your legs through the “muscle pump” action.
  • Avoid long periods of standing or sitting – avoid situations where blood pools and stagnates in your legs.
  • Avoid high heels – lower heel shoes will make your calf muscles work more. Contractions of these muscles will massage your veins, facilitating flow of blood upwards toward the heart.
  • Elevate your legs – whenever possible, sit down and elevate your legs above your heart level, to drain blood from your legs towards the heart.
Saggy Skin
Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)