What Are Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are abnormal swollen veins present both on the surface and beneath the surface of the skin.  In contrast, spider veins are smaller, red or purple blood vessels that are <1 mm in diameter and have a web-like appearance.  Both conditions can be related to venous insufficiency prompting a visit to a Long Island Vein Clinic.

What creates Varicose Veins problems?

The normal function of leg veins is to bring blood back to the heart.  With activity, the calf muscles function as a pump, to circulate blood back from the legs toward the heart.  The same blood vessels have one-way valves that protect against blood from reversing back due to gravity. If the valves are faulty, this mechanism fails and blood collects in the lower legs resulting in venous insufficiency. This abnormal flow is referred to as reflux and with time builds up pressure in the legs to cause symptoms including abnormal spider and varicose veins.

Who is at risk of Varicose Vein disease?

There are various risk factors associated with varicose veins. These dangers include a family history of varicose veins, obesity, pregnancy, hormonal adjustments at menopause, a job that requires prolonged standing or sitting, and even previous trauma.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

The most common symptoms from varicose veins are 1) Leg heaviness 2) leg cramps 3) restless legs 4) fatigue 5) skin eczema 6) skin ulceration (rare) 7) DVT (rare) 8) Leg swelling.

Varicose Vein Therapy:

Some home remedies including witch hazel, horse chestnut extract, and CBD can have a relieving effect.  However, they do not reverse the condition. 

Compression stockings are the standard of early treatment once the diagnosis is suspected or confirmed by venous ultrasound.  The external compression provides circumferential support to the dilated veins and improves blood flow through graded pressure.  

Permanent and more effective varicose vein centers NYC offer vein ablation, sclerotherapy, varithena and venaseal. These treatments are medical in nature and require consultation with a vein specialist to determine necessity.  Modern vein treatments are minimally invasive and can be performed in the office without long recovery periods or anesthesia.