Varicose veins are enlarged, bulging veins that rise above the surface of the skin, usually in the legs. They can be bluish-green or purple in color. Some people may experience symptoms, such as itching, pain or aching in the legs and swollen ankles.
Venous reflux is the condition that causes varicose veins. Valves in the veins that prevent blood from flowing backward become weakened, allowing blood to pool in the veins, enlarging them.
There are many possible causes of varicose veins including heredity, being overweight, pregnancy, and prolonged standing or sitting.
The most common conservative treatment for varicose veins is the wearing of compression stockings to improve blood flow. The stockings are tightest at the ankles, which forces blood out of the superficial veins and into the deep veins in the legs. This can reduce pressure and swelling, and may alleviate some symptoms.
When the veins are small and near the surface of the skin (spider veins), they can be treated with sclerotherapy, a procedure that injects a special solution into the veins that causes them to collapse.
If the veins are larger and rise above the surface of the skin, there are several minimally invasive treatments available. Only in rare cases is surgery (vein stripping) used to remove varicose veins.
At VISA, we offer non-surgical, effective and minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins.