What are varicose and spider veins?
What generally happens to varicose veins? What causes varicose veins and spider veins? Who usually has varicose veins and spider veins? Why do varicose veins and spider veins usually appear in the legs? What are symptoms of varicose veins? How can varicose veins be diagnosed? What problems can occur if left untreated? Is Varicose Vein Surgery covered by insurance? What are varicose and spider veins? Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be flesh colored, dark purple or blue. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. During pregnancy, varicose veins called hemorrhoids can form in the vagina or around the anus. Spider veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller. They are often red or blue and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with the
Varicose Veins Varicose veins are enlarged veins that can be flesh colored, dark purple or blue. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. They are swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are commonly found on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg. They are abnormal superficial veins that develop in the soft tissue beneath the skin. The varicose veins appear swollen and knotted. They are similar to empty water balloons, in that when they are forced to carry more blood, because of leaking valves, become distended and tortuous. These veins are abnormal and do not transport blood back to the heart efficiently; therefore, they can be removed without causing problems and in fact improve the vein circulation. As a varicose vein enlarges it will contain larger volumes of blood, thus putting even greater pressure on the valve below. If the pressure becomes severe enough to exceed the strength of the valve, then the varicosity enlarges fur
Varicose veins and spider veins are common problems, sometimes painful and always cosmetically unpleasant. They have nothing to do with weight or exercise, but are rather an inherited condition appearing often as early as teenage years and especially during pregnancies. Nonetheless, it is not uncommon to see them develop much later in life.
What causes them? And what treatments are available? Veins are blood vessels that carry blood to the heart from the tissues. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that are visible just under the surface of the skin. They form when blood flow in the veins slows due to a weakened valve. A valve is a one-way flap that stops blood from flowing backwards. When this happens, blood collects, and a varicose vein develops. Though varicose veins can appear all over the body, they are usually found in the legs. This is because of the natural downward flow of blood in the body. Varicose veins are also found in the legs because of the effects of gravity and because of body weight pressure. Spider veins are more superficial varicose veins that resemble spider webs or tree branches. They are found in the capillaries, which are the smallest blood vessels. Spider veins are usually found in the legs and face. There are two main causes of spider and varicose veins: heredity and pregnancy. Pregnancy l
It is estimated that 20% of women and 10% of men suffer from varicose and spider veins worldwide. This translates to tens of millions of people in the United States alone. Whether you desire cosmetic improvement or relief of symptoms associated with leg vein problems, the following information should help you to better understand the condition and the current treatments available. Veins throughout your body return blood back to your heart. In order to do this efficiently, veins have one-way valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards (reflux). If they fail to close properly, blood will leak through the valves and result in pooling. Over time, this pooling will force the vein walls outward resulting in enlargement and sometimes bulging of the vein. These enlarged veins are telangiectasia (commonly called spider veins) or varicose veins. Spider veins are small red, purple or bluish veins located just below the surface of the skin. They can have a linear or web-like appearance, hence,
