What Causes those Unsightly Varicose Veins? Why are you affected more than other people of the same age or even your friends and family. In this video, I break down the commonest causes as to why you develop varicose veins.
Simplifying Varicose Veins into the 3 Levels. Varicose veins and spider veins are a very common condition that many patients have. In this video, I break down the different types of veins and how each one is connected. More importantly, I highlight what type of treatment is required for each level.
Sclerotherapy (Pronounced skle-ro-therapy), has been around since the 17th century. It was not until 1916, when the use of modern sclerotherapy treatment for varicose veins was founded. The word “Skleros” itself comes from the Greek word to make hard. Different solutions and sclerosants have been created since then, that are not only safe but highly effective in removing varicose and spider veins.
Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure, whereby a “sclerosant solution” is injected directly into the vein. This then irritates the inner lining of the vein wall causing it to harden and then get absorbed by the body. The absorption by the body is similar to what happens when you develop a bruise after a fall. It eventually disappears.
It is commonly used for varicose veins and spider veins but can also be used for vascular and lymphatic malformations, hemorrhoids (dilated veins in the anal canal) as well as for hydroceles (fluid in a body cavity).
Sclerosant solution is injected using very small needles either directly into the vein or by using ultrasound guidance for veins that are not visible.
The solutions can be injected directly as a liquid or as a foam. Both are as effective for spider veins, but foam is generally found to be more effective for bigger veins hiding under the skin.
This is a very common question and the simple answer is no. Some solutions used for sclerotherapy can cause stinging when first injected and others cause some slight itchiness during the procedure. The solution I use has an anaesthetic property as well that further reduces any pain. It is important to note that the needles used are tiny and not ordinary sized needles. Generally, it is very well tolerated by most people. Many who do get treated are often surprised how little discomfort there is.
Most patients who get sclerotherapy can be treated and go straight to work or any other day to day activities. It is often recommended to not do heavy exercise or weight lifting for the first 5 days after sclerotherapy.
It is also advisable to walk daily for 30 to 45 minutes each day after treatment and wear medical compression stockings during that period.
This is challenging to answer without examining a patient and doing a duplex ultrasound. Most patients generally need at least 3 treatments of sclerotherapy. Some patients have multiple spider veins scattered everywhere and, in that case, more treatments may be needed. Also, some treatments may need a combination of different procedures with sclerotherapy just being one of them. I advise patients as to what will be required during their initial consultation.
Treatment of spider and varicose veins using sclerotherapy can be very effective. Even after the first few weeks post treatment considerable changes in the appearance of varicose and spider veins can be seen. The final results will be visible 6 months post treatment.
I personally treat all my patients and at Doctor Vein, our focus is only on veins. We strive for the best outcomes and endeavor to deliver the best results.
If you have any questions about Sclerotherapy, please send me an email to info@doctorvein.com.au
This is an age-old question, often surrounded by myths. The usual adage being, “Oh no, I have my mothers or fathers legs”. We do know that one third of the population suffer from varicose veins in one form or another. Some believe this number is actually higher, especially as many men tend to not seek treatment and therefore often do not contribute to the total. Studies conducted in the UK through the NHS, have highlighted that up to 56% of men and 60% of women have varicose veins.
This article breaks down the common causes and risk factors that increase the chances of developing varicose veins. In order to give you some insight into why it occurs in the first place.
Varicose veins are those bulging veins that are seen on lower limbs, especially the legs and thighs. They can occur because of weakening of the valves, absence of valves in some people, or even damage to the valves of the veins in the limb.
The most common cause for damage of the valves is following a deep vein thrombosis, whereby there is a clot in the deeper veins. This damages the wall of the vein, affecting the valves and impairing blood flow through the veins.
One way to think about it is to imagine a rubber pipe watering system with valves, that allow water to flow in one direction when opened and stops water from travelling when closed. If this valve stops working, it then allows water to travel in both directions, without any control. Eventually if the pressure is too great, this will cause the rubber pipe to expand or swell up and affect other valves up or down the pipe. When this happens, more valves in various locations along the path of the pipe stop working as well. As the pipe becomes bigger than the original valve, this allows water to leak through in other places, despite having a normal valve.
Similarly, when the valves in veins are abnormal or damaged, the veins can get distended along the length of the vein and not function properly. This then gets carried to other areas of the vein that may have had a well functioning valve in the first place. Almost like a domino effect.
The above is the predominant cause of varicose veins, but the question still remains: Why do some people have varicose veins and others do not?
This comes down to risk factors. Over the years, many studies have been done to show which are the highest risk as compared to those that may only cause a small risk or no risk at all after completing the study.
Below are some of the high risk factors for developing veins in no particular order:
Genetic or family history
Hormones
Pregnancy
Obesity
Occupation
Age
Smoking has been postulated to be a risk factor of varicose veins, but the evidence is lacking. We do however know it affects management, but probably does not affect veins directly.
There has not been any conclusive evidence regarding posture and sitting cross- legged as a trigger for varicose veins. However, isolated direct trauma may trigger varicose vein developments in affected regions.
If you are not sure what is causing your varicose veins, but have noticed them and want to find out how to get rid of them, do not hesitate to contact us at Doctor Vein, on 03 91908922. We will be happy to evaluate and manage all your varicose veins concerns.
This blog will details the various causes of swelling in the limbs and uncover whether varicose veins could be the culprit for your puffy legs at the end of the day.
Swelling also known as oedema, occurs as a result of fluid build up in the tissues of the body. This can occur all over the body, known as generalised oedema, or in certain areas like the legs, known as localised oedema.
The excess fluid comes from blood vessels that become leaky, allowing seepage into the adjacent tissues. As a result of gravity and a pooling effect, this fluid tends to build up in the feet, ankles and legs.
It is generally the job of the lymphatic system, which is almost like a waste disposal system, to run through the body to remove fluid in tissues and return it back in to the blood stream. However, when the lymphatic system becomes overloaded as a result of excess fluid, then its ability to remove this fluid becomes impaired.
When you lay down at night and lift your lower limbs up, this assists in the drainage of fluid back into the blood stream. This is also the reason why your leg swelling improves in the mornings when you wake up, however due to gravity, slowly fills up as the day goes by.
As you can see from above there are many causes for swelling in the lower limbs. One often missed cause is chronic venous insufficiency, seen as varicose veins in the region of the lower limb. In some instances, the varicose veins may not be very prominent, yet there could still be venous disease causing all the swelling symptoms.
How do chronic (long term) venous problems, including varicose veins, cause swelling?
The largest superficial vein in the lower limb is the great saphenous vein. It has valves that close during relaxation of the calf muscles and contract during contraction of calf muscles, therefore pumping blood back to the heart.
When these valves are damaged, blood then flows in both directions not being able to be pumped back to the heart efficiently. This gives rise to a buildup of blood in the great saphenous vein, which then overflows to other channels or tributaries giving rise to varicose veins that are prominent in the lower limb.
As the symptoms gradually worsen with time, many people only seek medical attention when complications set in, such as skin discolouration, scarring, itching, rashes and ulcer formation.
If you experience swelling in the limbs it is important to have this investigated early. A simple duplex ultrasound, can rule out chronic venous insufficiency as a cause of your swelling. If you are not sure what is causing your swelling, or have varicose veins and are wondering if they could be the cause of your symptoms, feel free to contact us at Doctor Vein. Our trained medical staff will be happy to evaluate you and rule out venous causes of your swelling.
In that token, after taking a complete and detailed history, examining them and completing a duplex ultrasound, I often find that their varicosities have become quite complex, profound and show signs of early complications like permanent skin changes setting in.
If they had come in earlier, they would likely require less treatment and have no permanent skin changes often seen with chronic venous insufficiency.
For this very reason, I feel it is extremely important to look at the symptoms of varicose veins and discuss what happens as they progress. I have already covered the difference between varicose veins and spider veins in a previous blog here.
Symptoms of varicose veins in the limbs, listed from most common to non specific (non- specific meaning they could be as a result of other conditions and not just due to a venous or vein disorder):
Individuals who are at risk of developing veins:
As you can see from above varicose veins are not merely a cosmetic concern for “vain” people, but can progress into a more chronic state when left untreated. Considering that more than one third of the population have varicose veins, it is important to identify it early and seek treatment before symptoms get worse and complications set in.
I hope this has shed some light on what to expect with varicose veins from a symptom point of view, as well as the risk and complications associated with it.
If you need any clarification or are unsure if you may have progressive venous disease, feel free to contact us at Doctor Vein and make an appointment with our medical team today.
To understand the difference between varicose veins and spider veins in the lower leg and thigh region, we must look at what the purpose of veins is in first place:
Spider veins also known as telangiectasias are small, twisted blood vessels that are visible through the skin. They may be red, purple or blue and most appear on the thighs, lower legs or face. Due to this twisting and bent appearance, they appear like a spider with a central region and multiple legs.
They do not cause any major structural problems or complications but patients often feel self-conscious due to their unsightly nature and often very prominent pattern.
Varicose veins are large tortuous and abnormal blood vessels that are often seen bulging out of the skin. They can develop anywhere in the body, but usually sprout on the legs and ankles
They often appear on the lower limbs and become more prominent when standing and less so when lying down or lifting the legs up. They tend to cause many symptoms and complications, such as heaviness, aching, cramping, swelling, itchiness and ulcer formation as they progress.
Spider veins and varicose veins are venous disorders often seen in the lower leg and thigh region of individuals. Both types represent abnormal and diseased veins that are not functioning. This essentially means that they serve no purpose except to worsen symptoms already present and give rise to complications like scarring, discoloration and ulcer (wound) formation.
These conditions are more common in women but men do suffer from them as well. Men tend to seek treatment only when the disease has progressed and complications have set in. Doctor Vein can treat and eliminate both spider veins and varicose veins with ease and efficiency. Why not make an appointment today and find out how you can be relieved from this often painful condition.
If you have any further questions about the difference between varicose and spider veins, do not hesitate to contact us.
7 Winifred St, Frankston VIC 3199
Ph: 03 9781 0646
Warragul Specialist Centre
197-199 Sutton St, Warragul VIC 3820
Ph: 03 5642 6666
03 9923 6422
