Varicose Veins

Treating enlarged leg veins can improve their appearance and reduce the risk of swelling, aching, and other problems.

If you have varicose veins — those dark blue or purple leg veins that bulge above the skin’s surface — you may dread wearing beachwear and other clothes that expose your legs. With summer just a few months away, this may be a good time to do something about that. But it’s not just a cosmetic consideration. Varicose veins can cause ...

Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged, and painful veins that fill with blood. They usually develop in the legs and are raised above the surface of the skin. They aren’t life-threatening but can cause discomfort.

Traditionally, a surgery known as “vein stripping” was performed to remove varicose veins. This procedure involves making small incisions and physically pulling the veins out of the body.

However, more recent technologies remove varicose veins using minimal or noninvasive procedures. A noninvasive procedure is nonsurgical ...

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, painful veins that have filled with blood.
Description

Varicose veins most often develop in the legs. They often stick out and are blue in color.

• Normally, valves in your veins keep your blood flowing up toward the heart, so the blood does not collect in one place.
• The valves in varicose veins are either damaged or missing. This causes the veins to become filled with blood, especially when you are standing.

The following treatments for ...

Varicose (VAR-i-kos) veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the surface of the skin. These veins usually occur in the legs; however, they can also form in other parts of your body. Varicose veins are a common condition, and usually cause few signs or symptoms. In some cases, varicose veins may cause complications, such as mild to moderate pain, blood clots, or skin ulcers.

A number of vein problems are related to varicose veins, such ...

How are varicose veins treated?

The goals of varicose vein treatment are to reduce symptoms and prevent complications. For some, the goal may be improved appearance. Home treatment is typically the first approach.
Home treatment

Home treatment may be all you need to ease your symptoms and keep the varicose veins from getting worse. You can:

• Wear compression stockings.
• Prop up (elevate) your legs.
• Avoid long periods of sitting or standing.
• Get plenty of exercise.

Procedures

If home treatment doesn’t help, there are ...

Varicose veins are common and usually nothing to worry about. For many people, the twisted and enlarged bluish or purplish veins visible near the surface of the skin are simply a cosmetic concern.

But if you are experiencing pain or discomfort, this could be a sign of a more serious problem.

Varicose veins usually occur in the legs, specifically on the inner thighs or the bottom of your calves. They are caused by increased blood pressure in the veins ...

What is endovenous laser varicose vein surgery?

Endovenous laser varicose vein surgery is a procedure that uses heat from a laser to reduce varicose veins. Varicose veins are swollen, bulging veins that often happen on the thighs or calves. A laser is a device that sends a thin beam of radiation in the form of light.

Laser surgery closes and shrinks the varicose vein and causes scar tissue within the vessel. This seals off the vein. Blood then flows ...

Rather than destroying or removing defective veins, it is possible to repair them by using a sheath. They are thus saved for later use as a bypass.

In cases of severe varicose vein disease, dilated veins are usually removed or destroyed. However, when patients later need a bypass due to circulatory problems, the large blood vessels are then not available as a substitute. In a multicentre study led by Dr. Dominic Mühlberger from the Vascular Surgery Department at Ruhr-Universität ...

Spider veins and varicose veins are common conditions that affect many adults.

These abnormally enlarged blood vessels, which affect women more often than men, appear most often on the legs and become more prevalent with age.

Spider veins and varicose veins affect up to 50% of the adult population.

The following slideshow will highlight the important facts about spider veins and varicose veins, with accompanying pictures to better understand what they look like, what they are, and how to ...

The first line of treatment for your varicose veins — those knotty, enlarged, and discolored veins caused by blood pooling in the legs — usually involves lifestyle changes and compression stockings.

But you might need a medical procedure. Your doctor may recommend this if your varicose veins cause:

• Severe pain
• Skin problems
• Blood clots

Some people also choose to have procedures to improve the looks of their legs.

Which Procedure Is Right for Me?

How will you and your doctor decide which ...