What are varicose veins?

Healthy veins are blood vessels that function to return the blood back to the heart. Abnormal veins in the legs, often called  "varicose" or "spider veins" result when valves within the vessels designed to help return the blood to the heart malfunction and allow backward flow of the blood. This backward flow stretches the veins further and causes leaking of the blood into the leg tissue causing swelling of the legs and skin changes. This is known as chronic venous insufficiency and is an abnormality of the veins that decreases or prevents return of blood flow to the heart. Varicose veins can lead to more serious health problems and should not be ignored if they are painful. Specifically, venous malfunction can lead to varicose veins, swelling of the legs, pain, itching, skin changes, and sometimes ulceration of the leg. 

Spider veins”, also known as telangiectasias, are the more delicate red or purple vessels that are found on the skin’s surface.  They are often asymptomatic, however, can be treated with a minor procedure known as sclerotherapy in the clinic. Spider veins, particularly those associated with other symptoms, can be a sign of involvement of deeper or larger "varicose veins" or "truncal veins" such as the great saphenous or small saphenous veins.   

Symptoms of varicose veins

If you experience any of the following, you should be evaluated by a doctor

  • Leg swelling
  • Leg pain
  • Ulcers of the leg
  • Itching
  • Skin changes
  • Leg cramping/restless legs

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