What causes varicose veins and how to treat those annoying spider veins.
Varicose veins are engorged surface veins that most often appear on the legs. A sign of damage to the valves that regulate blood flow within these veins, varicosity can be unsightly as well as uncomfortable. Furthermore, varicose veins can indicate a higher risk of other blood vessel problems. Fortunately, a host of innovative treatment options exist to eliminate varicose veins. Here is a deeper look at what causes varicose veins, signs that the problem may be serious and how these veins can be treated.
How Varicose Veins Form
Veins naturally contain valves that regulate the direction that blood can take through them. If the normal flow of blood is impeded in these veins, the valves and the veins that contain them can become damaged, setting off a potential cascade of problems.
How to Recognize Spider Veins
Normally unnoticeable veins may become engorged, making them easily visible at the surface of the skin. The veins may also take on a twisted shape. In some cases, a section of smaller veins may take on a webbed appearance, giving them the common name of spider veins. The conditions that stimulate varicose vein development are most commonly found in the legs, which may be exposed to extended sitting, standing and trauma.
Heredity
Heredity is a major component of varicose vein risk. Women also have increased risk due to higher levels of estrogen, and overweight individuals have increased risk because more weight causes more pressure on the leg
Signs Indicating a Need for Treatment
In most cases, varicose veins do not present any medical risk. However, they frequently do cause cosmetic problems, making laser spider vein removal worthwhile in many cases. Rarely, serious complications can also occur. Varicose veins are more prone to developing blood clots, which can break off and travel through the circulatory system, potentially causing pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke. Signs of blood clots in varicose veins include heavy or aching feelings, itching or throbbing sensations around the veins and color changes in the surrounding skin. Clotted varicose veins may also feel like stiff cords beneath the skin.
Professional Treatment Options for Varicose Veins
The right choice for treating varicose veins can depend on their size. While larger varicose veins may require sclerotherapy, smaller spider veins can often be resolved through more convenient methods. For example, the best treatment for spider veins is often considered to be laser treatment. Leading types of laser vein treatment, rarely requires anesthesia and can be completed in just 10 to 20 minutes. The laser treatment works by destroying the veins so that the body can absorb them naturally, which allows the blood to be diverted to other veins.
