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Understanding Varicose Veins - the Basics Varicose veins  usually announce themselves as bulging, bluish cords running just beneath the surface of your skin. They almost always affect legs and feet. Visible swollen and twisted veins -- sometimes surrounded by patches of flooded capillaries known as spider veins -- are considered superficial  varicose veins . Although they can be painful and disfiguring, they are usually harmless. When inflamed, they become tender to the touch and can hinder circulation to the point of causing swollen ankles, itchy skin, and aching in the affected limb. Besides a surface network of veins, your legs have an interior, or deep, venous network. On rare occasions, an interior leg vein becomes varicose. Such deep varicose veins are usually not visible, but they can cause swelling or aching throughout the leg and may be sites where blood clots can form. Varicose veins are a relatively common condition, and for many peo...

Microsclerotherapy:  It’s similar to sclerotherapy but uses a smaller needle to treat smaller varicose veins. Laser therapy:  Your doctor closes off the vein by zapping it with bursts of high-intensity light. She doesn’t need to make any cuts or use any needles in this procedure. It’s used mostly for smaller varicose veins. Endovenous ablation therapy:  For this treatment, your doctor will use a laser or radio waves to close your varicose vein. You’ll be awake during the procedure. First, she’ll numb the area around the vein. Then she’ll make a small cut in your skin and insert a thin tube. The tube has a device that uses a laser or radio wave to create heat. That closes the vein. Most people feel only the injection of the numbing agent. You may go home later in the day. Your leg will be wrapped in a compression bandage after the procedure. procedure used to eliminate  varicose veins and spider veins . Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a sol...

Understanding Varicose Veins - Treatment What Are the Treatments for Varicose Veins? A mild case of  varicose veins  does not usually require a doctor's care. You can find relief from the discomfort of  varicose veins with basic at-home treatment and various alternative remedies. Superficial varicose veins normally do not require medical attention, but they should not be ignored. To relieve the discomfort, your doctor may recommend the following: Compression stockings , which you can buy in most pharmacies and medical supply stores. Over-the-counter stockings include the support panty hose offering the least amount of pressure and the compression hose offering more pressure. Higher-pressure compression stockings provide the most pressure and require a prescription. Compression stockings are designed to help your leg muscles push blood upward by providing graduated compression with the strongest support starting at the ankles and gradually...

Diagnosis If you have varicose veins and they don't cause you any discomfort, you may not need to visit your GP. Varicose veins are rarely a serious condition and they don't usually require treatment. But speak to your GP if: your varicose veins are causing you pain or discomfort the skin over your veins is sore and irritated the aching in your legs is causing irritation at night and disturbing your sleep Seeing your GP Varicose veins are diagnosed by their appearance. Your GP will examine your legs while you're standing to check for signs of swelling. You may also be asked to describe any pain you have and whether there are situations that make your varicose veins worse. For example, some women find their menstrual cycle (period)affects their varicose veins. Your GP will also want to know if you're at an increased risk of developing varicose veins, such as: having a family history of varicose veins being pregnant whether you have ...

Treatment Varicose veins don't always need treatment. If your varicose veins aren't causing you discomfort, you may not need to have treatment. Treatment of varicose veins is usually necessary: to ease symptoms – if your varicose veins are causing you pain or discomfort to treat complications – such as leg ulcers, swelling or skin discolouration for cosmetic reasons – but this kind of treatment is rarely available on the NHS, so you'll usually have to pay for it to be done privately If treatment is necessary, your doctor may first recommend up to 6 months of self care at home. This may involve:  using compression stockings (your blood circulation will first be checked to see if these are suitable for you) exercising regularly avoiding standing up for long periods elevating the affected area when resting The various treatments for varicose veins are outlined below. Compression stockings Compression stockings aren't suitab...

Causes Varicose veins are usually caused by weak vein walls and valves. Inside your veins are tiny one-way valves that open to let the blood through, and then close to prevent it flowing backwards. Sometimes the walls of the veins become stretched and lose their elasticity, causing the valves to weaken. If the valves don't function properly, this can cause the blood to leak and flow backwards. If this happens, the blood collects in your veins, which become swollen and enlarged. The reasons why the walls of the veins stretch and the valves in your veins weaken aren't fully understood. Some people develop the condition for no obvious or apparent reason. Increased risk A number of things can increase your likelihood of developing varicose veins, including: being female having a close family member with varicose veins older age being overweight having a job that involves long periods of standing being pregnant other conditions Gender Women are ...

Overview Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that usually occur on the legs and feet. They may be blue or dark purple, and are often lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance. Other symptoms include: aching, heavy and uncomfortable legs swollen feet and ankles burning or throbbing in your legs muscle cramp in your legs, particularly at night dry, itchy and thin skin over the affected vein The symptoms are usually worse during warm weather or if you've been standing up for long periods of time. They may improve when you walk around or if you rest and raise your legs. When to see your GP If you have varicose veins and they don't cause you any discomfort, you may not need to visit your GP. Varicose veins are rarely a serious condition and don't usually require treatment. But speak to your GP if: your varicose veins are causing you pain or discomfort the skin over your veins is sore and irritated the aching in your legs is causing irritation at nigh...

What are Varicose Veins? Veins are blood vessels that return deoxygenated blood from the outer parts of the body back to the heart and lungs. When veins become abnormally thick, full of twists and turns, or enlarged, they are called  varicose vein . This happens most commonly in the veins in the legs and thighs. The thickened, twisting or dilated parts of the vein are called varicosities. Varicose veins  can form anywhere in the body, but they are most often located in the legs. Varicose veins tend to be inherited, and become more prominent as a person ages. Veins in the leg are either superficial or deep. The superficial veins and their branches are close to the skin. Also included in this category are the communicator or perforator veins, which connect the superficial veins with the deep veins. The deep veins are encased by muscle and connective tissue, which help to pump the blood in the veins and back to the heart. The veins have one-way valves to preve...