Varicose Veins

(Leg Veins, Bulging Veins, Spiderweb Veins)

The Facts

Varicose veins are visible, protruding veins that appear just under the skin. The word "varicose" comes from the Latin root varix for "twisted." The veins may occur in clusters that look like spider webs. They may also be large, single veins that are easily visible, especially when standing. They're most often seen on people's legs, especially their calves, and are made up of stretched, expanded, or twisted veins. The blood flow in these veins has been slowed down or reversed.

Up to 20% of the adult population has some form of varicose veins. They appear between the ages of 30 and 70, and they usually get worse with age.

Varicose veins occur 2 to 3 times more often in women than in men. Family history is also a risk factor for varicose veins.

The Causes

Doctors aren't sure of the exact cause of varicose veins because of the complex nature of veins, the body's blood circulation system, and other body processes that affect the way veins work.

What's known for sure is that the valves that push blood through the varicose veins stop working properly, causing blood to collect in areas in the veins. The veins then expand and the blood in them begins flowing in reverse. Evidence suggests varicose veins may be veins that are naturally weak, a condition that could be inherited. This could explain why varicose veins seem to run in families.

Other factors can make varicose veins appear or get worse:

going through a pregnancy
standing for long periods of time
being overweight
age – they appear more often as people grow older
sex – they are more common in women

More rarely, varicose veins can be symptoms of serious health problems, such as tumours in the pelvis.

Symptoms And Complications

Having many visible varicose veins doesn't mean you will be in a lot of pain. You can have a spider-web of raised veins over most of your leg that doesn't hurt a bit. Or you might have only one vein that still manages to cause a lot of discomfort.

People most often experience aching, cramping at night, swelling, and a feeling of fullness in the legs. These symptoms become worse before menstruation or after standing for a long time.

Most people with varicose veins don't suffer from complications. There is some chance of developing ulcerations around the affected veins, or of the vein hemorrhaging (bleeding inside), especially in older people whose skin has become very thin. Eczema and discoloured skin in the area around the affected veins can also occur.

Making A Diagnosis

Varicose veins are usually diagnosed by the patient, who can see them or feel the way they stick out from under the skin.

Your doctor can properly judge their actual extent by feeling the veins in the leg while you are standing. If varicose veins are really visible, they probably developed some time ago.

Swollen ankles can be a sign that veins deeper inside the leg are also not working properly. Your doctor may also order tests such as a Doppler ultrasound or X-rays to see if deeper leg veins are working as they should or if there is a blood clot present.

Treatment And Prevention

Varicose veins can't be cured, but they can be successfully treated. Treatment concentrates on relieving pain and managing complications. People who have obvious spider veins want to make the veins less noticeable, often through a cosmetic procedure. Wearing lightweight compression hosiery (stockings) can stop the pain from small, mild varicose veins altogether. Heavier elastic support stockings, knee-length or thigh-length, can also be worn if you have advanced varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy** is a procedure that involves injecting a concentrated saline or chemical solution into the vein.** The sclerosing (hardening) solution causes the vein to close up or collapse and become scar tissue. This causes blood to flow only to the non-varicose veins. This is only effective for smaller varicose veins, and people often develop new varicose veins after the procedure.

Many veins can be injected during a single visit. Several injection sessions are usually required to effectively close a vein, and it usually takes a few weeks for healing to occur after each injection.

A dermatologist or vein specialist usually performs sclerotherapy. It causes little discomfort.

Allergic reactions to sclerotherapy are rare. Scarring can occur and a brown blemishing of the skin may appear. It usually fades, but in some cases, it can be permanent. Some superficial varicose veins can be treated with a laser.

Varicose veins can also be treated by surgery. Your doctor may suggest surgery if you:

have extremely visible varicose veins
experience changes in your skin
have significant pain and constantly inflamed veins (recurrent phlebitis or thrombophlebitis)

Physicians who recommend extensive surgery may "strip" deeper veins in the legs while removing as many of the swollen, twisted varicose veins as possible. A few isolated varicose veins may continue to be bothersome after surgery, but these can usually be treated with injections.

Other treatment options include:

Laser therapy: Laser light or intense pulsed light (IPL) is used on the veins to make them fade over time. This is most successful for very mild forms of the condition.
Catheter-assisted radio frequency ablation: Generally, heat is used to damage the vein, causing blood to be redirected to healthy veins in the body.
Ambulatory phlebectomy: Small holes are made in the skin to remove small veins.

Here are some things you can do to help prevent varicose veins:

Exercise: Walking is a great way to increase blood flow in the legs.
Lose weight: Shedding excess pounds takes unnecessary pressure off veins in the legs.
Wear compression stockings.
Avoid high heels: Stick with low-heeled shoes that give the calf muscles a better workout, which can help give you healthier veins.
Elevate legs: Take 3 or 4 daily breaks (10 to 15 minutes) to elevate the legs above the level of the heart (e.g., lie down with legs resting on 3 or 4 pillows).
Avoid long periods of sitting or standing: Make a point to change position frequently to encourage blood flow.