Surgeons may use this treatment for spider veins and small varicose veins. A vascular surgeon injects a foam or liquid into the varicose vein. This causes the vein to close and eventually fade as your body absorbs it naturally.
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What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are swollen, visible veins. They usually develop in the legs but can appear elsewhere in the body. Varicose veins form when blood pressure increases in veins, causing them to stretch and bulge. A lack of exercise and long periods of sitting or standing can contribute to high blood pressure.
Varicose veins are very common, affecting up to 25 million Americans. For many people, they are a cosmetic problem. You may dislike the appearance or feeling of them, but they don’t usually cause serious health concerns.
Your doctor may offer varicose vein treatment if veins are uncomfortable, or you may want treatment for cosmetic reasons. The vascular specialists at Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular provide comprehensive treatment for varicose veins. We offer a full range of therapies, from minimally invasive endovascular procedures to vascular surgery.
What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins?
Varicose veins and spider veins are both swollen, visible veins. Varicose veins tend to be larger and bulge under your skin. Spider veins tend to look like small, web-like lines closer to the surface of the skin.
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Signs and symptoms of varicose veins
The most common sign of a varicose vein is twisted, rope-like veins bulging beneath your skin, usually in the legs, feet, or ankles. These veins are often purple, blue, or a slightly darker color than your natural skin tone.
Other varicose vein symptoms may include:
- A heavy or aching feeling in your legs
- Discoloration
- Itchiness
- Pain or soreness, especially behind your knees
- Swelling
- Ulcers
Causes of varicose veins
Varicose veins develop when blood pressure in veins becomes too high. This increased pressure causes veins to grow larger and twist. Sitting and standing for long periods and not exercising enough can raise the pressure in your veins.
Sometimes, blood pressure increases because vein walls and valves weaken. Typically, the valves in veins open and close to push blood back to your heart. When these valves don’t work properly, blood flows backward and pools in the veins. This condition is called chronic venous insufficiency. However, you can develop varicose veins without having chronic venous insufficiency.
Risk factors for varicose veins
Some factors make you more likely to develop varicose veins, including:
- Aging
- Family history of varicose veins
- Female hormone treatments, such as birth control pills
- Overweight
- Pregnancy
- Sitting or standing for long periods
- Smoking
Diagnosis of varicose veins
A provider usually diagnoses varicose veins with a physical exam. They look at and touch the veins while you’re standing and sitting. They also ask about your symptoms and health history.
Your surgeon or nurse practitioner may use a Duplex ultrasound to look at the varicose vein. They evaluate how your valves function. This noninvasive, painless test uses sound waves to create images of your veins and see issues with blood flow.
Treatment for varicose veins
Varicose vein treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, improving circulation, and preventing complications. Your provider may offer procedures to get rid of varicose veins. Some people seek treatment for cosmetic reasons, while others need it to improve blood flow and reduce discomfort.
Varicose veins don’t go away without treatment. But if you develop varicose veins while pregnant, they may go away after childbirth.
Lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms of varicose veins, including:
- Avoiding long periods of standing or sitting
- Elevating your legs above your heart
- Exercising more frequently
- Managing your weight, if needed
- Wearing over the counter or prescription compression stockings to improve blood flow
In ligation and stripping, a vascular surgeon makes small incisions over your varicose veins and ties off the veins (ligation) or removes them completely (stripping). You may have heard of ligation and stripping, However, ligation and stripping is an older treatment that our vascular surgeons don’t perform. Instead, they offer newer, minimally invasive treatments.
Endovenous ablation is one of the most common treatments for large varicose veins. It treats superficial veins, which aren’t visible but cause varicose veins.
A vascular surgeon inserts a long, flexible tube (catheter) into the affected vein. They use several techniques to close the vein and redirect blood flow, including:
- Chemical ablation, injecting the vein with a foam solution
- Glue closure, using a small amount of glue to seal the vein
- Mechano-chemical ablation, using a chemical solution along with a rotating wire
- Thermal ablation, using heat or laser energy
A phlebectomy treats visible varicose veins. This procedure involves making a small incision over your varicose vein and using a hook-like device to remove the vein. Many people have ablation and phlebectomy at the same time.
Varicose veins prevention
Improving blood flow in your legs can lower your risk of varicose veins. Some of the same lifestyle changes that treat varicose veins can also help prevent them. You may:
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods
- Eat a low-salt diet
- Elevate your legs when sitting
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Sit with your feet flat on the floor, avoiding crossed legs
FAQs
Varicose veins don’t necessarily mean you have a health issue. While varicose veins are often harmless, they can be a sign of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where veins struggle to return blood to the heart properly.
Varicose veins don’t usually cause health problems. In some rare cases, varicose veins can lead to complications such as:
- Inflammation and clotting in superficial veins (superficial vein thrombosis)
- Ulcers (open sores) near the varicose veins
Exercise can help relieve some varicose vein symptoms, such as swelling. It can also improve blood flow so varicose veins don’t worsen. However, exercise is not a cure for varicose veins.
You can live a normal, active life with varicose veins. While they can cause discomfort, they don’t usually cause serious health problems. Many people manage the symptoms of varicose veins with lifestyle changes.
Yes, men can get varicose veins.
Varicose veins don’t usually go away on their own. However, if you develop varicose veins during pregnancy, they often improve or disappear after you give birth.
