Vein Surgery
Overview | FAQ
- What are varicose veins and spider veins?
- What causes varicose veins and spider veins?
- How common are varicose veins?
- Who usually has varicose veins and spider veins?
- Why do varicose veins and spider veins usually appear in the legs?
- Are varicose veins and spider veins painful or dangerous?
- What are the signs of varicose veins?
- Can varicose and spider veins return even after treatment?
What are varicose veins and spider veins?
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, swollen veins that extend above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are usually found on the legs and can pose a variety of health risks in addition to its unsightly appearance. Varicose veins are usually blue or dark purple in color. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, only smaller in size. Spider veins are usually red or blue and do not protrude as far above the surface of the skin as varicose veins. Spider veins are usually not threatening to a patient’s health and are usually found on the legs and face.
What causes varicose veins and spider veins?
Veins are used to carry oxygen-poor blood from the body to the heart. Blood from the legs is returned to the heart by the squeezing of leg muscles, which pumps blood back to the heart. Veins contain one-way valves to ensure that blood only travels toward the heart. Unfortunately, the valves can become weak and allow blood to leak back into the vein, rather than travel to the heart. The leaked blood can accumulate in the vein and cause it to become an enlarged varicose vein. This mechanism can also lead to the formation of spider veins. However, spider veins can also be caused by hormone changes, genetics, or sun exposure.
How common are varicose veins?
To a varying degree, varicose veins occur in 50 to 55% of women and 40 to 45% of men who live in the U.S. The likelihood of developing varicose veins increases with age.
Who usually has varicose veins and spider veins?
Several factors may increase your likelihood of getting varicose and spider veins. Individuals may get varicose and spider veins as they get older, experience hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy or menopause, become obese, obtain leg injuries, or are exposed to the sun. A family history of vein problems, such as weak vein valves, may also lead to varicose and spider veins.
Why do varicose veins and spider veins usually appear in the legs?
Varicose veins are typically found on the legs because the travel of blood flow from the legs to the heart is most difficult. The combined effects of gravity, pressure of body weight, and long distance of the vein from the heart creates a burdensome task for leg veins to carry blood to the heart. Enduring the greatest difficulty to carry blood to the heart, leg veins are more likely to have blood leak back into the veins and create varicose veins.
Are varicose veins and spider veins painful or dangerous?
Spider veins are smaller and are usually not threatening to your health. In contrast, varicose veins are large and become progressively worse over time. Therefore, varicose veins are more likely to be removed before they can cause serious complications such as severe venous insufficiency and sores or skin ulcers. Varicose veins can also be extremely painful, especially after prolonged standing and at night.
What are the signs of varicose veins?
You may have varicose veins if you experience an aching pain, swelling, numbness, or itching in the legs. Varicose veins also cause your legs to feel heavy, become tired easily, and cramp at night.
Can varicose and spider veins return even after treatment?
There are current treatments that can result in permanent removal of varicose and spider veins. However, additional varicose and spider veins may develop a few years after treatment because weak vein valves cannot be treated. Therefore, individuals may have to undergo additional treatments depending on the weakness of their vein valves and their lifestyle. Preventative actions such as exercising frequently and avoiding unprotected sun exposure can minimize the likelihood of requiring additional treatments.
