This can be due to either destruction of the valves or dilatation of the veins so that the valve edges don’t meet properly.  Although we do not know why this happens, we do know that there are certain things that are related to such findings.  These predisposing factors include:

• Age- aging causes wear and tear on the valves in your veins.  Eventually this wear and tear causes valves to malfunction, not close properly, and leak. 

• Sex- women are more likely than men to develop the condition.  Hormonal changes during pregnancy, pre-menstruation, or menopause may be a factor.  Female hormones can relax vein walls and cause dilatation of the veins.  Taking hormone replacement or birth control pills may increase your risk of varicose veins. 

• Genetics- varicose veins tend to run in families. 

• Obesity- being overweight causes more pressure in lower extremity veins and encourages dilatation and leakage. 

• Standing for long periods of time causes blood to pool in the lower extremities and encourages dilatation and incompetence (or leaking) of the valves.  

Vein Disease-Varicose and Spider Veins

There are two types of abnormal veins that you should be able to recognize if you are going to understand about lower extremity venous problems.

First, there are the typical varicose veins that are dilated superficial veins on the surface of the legs.  The word “varicose” comes from the Latin word “varix” that means “twisted.”  Varicose veins are usually bulging, twisted, lumpy, and sometimes have a bluish discoloration. 

These bulgy type of varicose veins are almost always due to a leak in either the great saphenous, small saphenous, or perforator veins connecting the deep and superficial systems.  As blood backs up into the superficial veins due to the leaky or incompetent valves, these large bulging varicose veins can become more pronounced and larger.  The pooling of the pressurized blood causes veins to stretch and bulge and, if left untreated, these varicose veins can lead to blood clots or large ulcers on the leg.

Thanks to endovenous technology, the problem responsible for these bulgy varicose veins can be corrected in the office with a minimally invasive procedure within minutes.  These procedures will be discussed further on this website. 
 

The second type of abnormal veins are spider veins.  These are typically just below the skin surface, are not dilated or bulging, are very conspicuous and are bluish or redish in color.  Instead of being large and ropy the spider veins are thread-like and do not pose a threat to a person’s health.  They are not usually associated with a leak in a major vein and are mostly a cosmetic problem.

Unfortunately, spider veins recur even after treatment modalities have been employed.  Most patients need intermittent maintenance treatments to keep their legs vein free.  

Vein Disease Symptoms

Some common signs and symptoms of varicose veins include:

• Aching pain, burning, and throbbing.

• Tenderness to palpation over certain varicies

• Easily tired legs

• Leg heaviness

• Leg swelling

• Itching

• Color changes with darkening of the skin

• Skin ulcers

The signs and symptoms are usually worse with prolonged sitting or standing and are relieved with exercise.

We see color changes and skin ulcers with long standing venous disease that is not treated.  These changes are more difficult to treat and that is why it is important to seek medical advice and treat varicose veins early before significant consequences occur.