Varicose & Spider Veins removal of varicose & spider veins

Treatments for Varicose & Spider Veins

Vein disease of the legs is one of the most common medical conditions. Approximately half of the population has some form of vein disease. Varicose veins affect up to 25% of all adults and about half of all people over 50. The most common cause of vein disease is heredity. Pregnancy, especially multiple pregnancies, is a contributing cause of vein disease. Other factors include age, obesity and jobs that require long periods of standing.

What causes vein disease?

Veins are the blood vessels that return blood to the heart from the Varicose veins body. To overcome the force of gravity, inside the veins are one-way valves which open to allow blood flow to the heart, and close to prevent "reflux" of blood back to the body. When these valves fail to function, or if the vein is damaged so the valves do not completely close, blood can begin to build up in the vein and cause a variety of vein complications, such as varicose veins and spider veins.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are the large, "rope-like" veins that are often a quarter-inch in diameter. They can occur when veins do not properly return blood from the lower leg to the heart. When the valves inside the legs fail to work properly, blood leaks through and flows down the leg in the wrong direction, away from the heart. The blood overfills and distends the superficial veins under the skin, resulting in the bulging seen in varicose veins.

When varicose veins become severe, as in the photo shown here, the condition is referred to as chronic venous insufficiency. Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency include aching pain, easy leg fatique and leg heaviness, all of which worsen as the day progresses.

Varicose veins generally continue to grow in size over time and can result in substantial pain and complications if not treated. Chronic venous insufficiency can cause ulcerations which can be very difficult to treat.

Spider veins

Spider veins are the small, thread-like colored veins that are most often seen on the surface of the skin. While many people seek treatment for spider veins for cosmetic reasons, spider veins also can result in substancial discomfort requiring therapy.

Treatments

  • Compression Stockings
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Laser Therapy to remove Varicose Veins