Varicose Veins

When it comes to varicose veins, the most effective treatment depends on the size or severity of the veins, and options range from self-care to surgery.

Except for the pulmonary vein, veins are blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from all parts of the body toward the heart. When the different organs use oxygen from the blood to perform their functions, they release the used blood containing waste products (such as carbon dioxide) into the veins. Blood in the veins then transports to the heart and returns to the lungs, where the waste carbon dioxide is released and the blood loads more oxygen to take back to the rest of the body by the arteries.

Veins have different sizes that depend on their location and function. The largest veins are in the center of the body; these collect the blood from all the other smaller veins and channel it into the heart. The branches of these large veins get smaller and smaller as they move away from the center of the body. The veins closer to the skin's surface are called superficial veins. The veins that are deeper and closer to the center of the body are called deep veins. Other veins connect the superficial veins to the deep veins, and these are called perforating veins.

Picture of varicose veins during injection of sclerosant

Picture of spider veins

Veins can bulge with pools of blood when they fail to circulate the blood properly. These visible and bulging veins, called varicose veins, are more common in the legs and thighs but can develop anywhere in the body.

• Large varicose veins can be visible, bulging, palpable (can be felt by touching), long, and dilated (greater than 4 millimeters in diameter).
• Small "spider veins" also can appear on the skin's surface. These may look like short, fine lines, "starburst" clusters, or a web-like maze. They are typically not palpable. Spider veins are most common in the thighs, ankles, and feet. They may also appear on the face. The medical term for spider veins is telangiectasias.

The causes of varicose and spider veins are not entirely understood. In some instances, the absence or weakness of valves in the veins may cause poor venous circulation (blood flow in the veins) and lead to varicose veins. Valves inside veins normally act to ensure that blood in the veins does not flow in a backward direction (retrograde) away from the large (deep) veins and the heart. They are mainly located in perforating veins and some deep veins.

In other cases, weaknesses in the vein walls may cause the pooling of blood. The walls of the blood vessels can become weaker and less competent than normal, causing the volume of blood in the veins to increase, thus leading to varicose veins. Since most varicose veins occur on the legs, it stands to reason that upright posture and gravity play a role. Chronic straining during bowel movements (caused by constipation) may lead to hemorrhoids, which are a type of varicose veins surrounding the anus.

Less commonly, varicose veins are caused by such diseases as:

• Phlebitis (inflammation of the veins)
• Blood clots or any obstruction to blood flow in the veins
• Congenital abnormalities of the veins

Venous disease (disease of the veins) is generally progressive and may not be preventable. However, in some cases, wearing support hosiery, maintaining a normal weight, and regular exercise may be beneficial.

Varicose and spider veins can occur in men or women of any age, but most frequently affect women in the childbearing years and older people. Varicose veins are very common. Some estimates suggest that about 10% to 15% of men and most older women have varicose or spider veins.

A family history of varicose veins and older age increases one's tendency to develop varicose and spider veins.

Other risk factors include:

• A sedentary, inactive lifestyle
• Obesity
• Prolonged standing or sitting
• Pregnancy

Many people with varicose veins do not have any physical symptoms. They may, however, have concerns over the cosmetic appearance of the varicose veins.

Symptoms and signs of varicose veins often include:

• Aching
• Cramping
• Swelling, redness, oozing, and itching below the knee
• Fatigue

Some people may complain of a dull ache and pressure sensation from varicose veins.

Some less common, but more severe symptoms of varicose veins may include:

• Bleeding
• Thrombophlebitis (formation of a blood clot within the varicose vein)
• Skin ulceration
• Weeping oozing dermatitis or stasis dermatitis

In long-standing venous disease, the skin may become fibrotic and scarred, forming an inverted "hourglass" (lipodermatosclerosis). These complications of varicose veins should be evaluated by a doctor promptly.

Doctors who provide surgical treatments (vein stripping and laser ablation) include general and vascular surgeons. Sclerotherapy and laser treatment are often performed by dermatologists, though some general, vascular, and plastic surgeons also perform sclerotherapy treatment.

Individuals may want to consult more than one healthcare practitioner before deciding on a method of treatment. Be sure to ask the healthcare professional about his or her experience in performing the procedure you want.

Evaluation of varicose veins includes a thorough general physical examination by a doctor. This will include asking about any family history of varicose veins, the duration and presence of any symptoms, and any worsening or expansion of the varicose veins. The individual's height, weight, and other medical conditions need to be noted as well.

In addition, general inspection and palpation (feeling the veins) and evaluation for the presence of any bleeding or ulceration also is typically performed.

Standing up for about 5 to 10 minutes can make the veins more visible, and this may further aid the doctor in assessing the extent of the varicose veins.

Can ultrasound be used to evaluate varicose veins?

Duplex ultrasound visualization is very useful in evaluating the venous system. Ultrasound can help in delineating the presence of any defective veins and pinpoint those that require intervention. Doppler ultrasound (a device that can detect and measure blood flow) may also provide additional information such as the competency of and flow through the valves in the perforating and the deeper veins. This information is especially necessary if surgery or other procedures are being considered.

There are many different treatments available for varicose veins. These treatments vary based on the size and location of the varicose veins, the presence of symptoms, and in cases of accompanying skin changes (for example, swelling, dermatitis, or ulceration).

Potential treatments may include:

• Leg elevation while sitting or sleeping
• Compression dressings with single or multilayered systems
• Compression stockings
• Sclerotherapy (injection of a liquid or foam into the vein to form a clot and permanently destroy the vessel)
• Ablation (destruction) of abnormal veins with techniques using laser, radiofrequency, or other modalities
• Surgery (removal of the varicose veins, including "phlebectomy" or vein stripping)

In general, sclerotherapy and laser therapy help treat spider veins (telangiectasias), while ablation and surgery may be better options for larger varicose veins.

Is treatment always necessary?

No, treatment is not always necessary if varicose and spider veins are primarily cosmetic problems. However, severe cases that do not respond to compression therapy, especially those associated with ulcers and dermatitis, may require further treatment.

Thousands of people every year consider getting treatment for varicose veins and spider veins. Advertisements for treating venous disease often tout "unique," "permanent," "painless," or "absolutely safe" methods, thus making it difficult for individuals to decide on the best treatment option. If you are uncertain about the safety or effectiveness of any treatment check with a healthcare professional.

Varicose veins are frequently treated by surgically eliminating the "bad" veins. This forces the blood to flow through the remaining healthy veins. In vein stripping surgery, the problematic veins are "stripped" out by passing a flexible device through the vein and removing it through an incision near the groin. Smaller tributaries of these veins also are stripped with this device or removed through a series of small incisions. Those veins that connect to the deeper veins are then tied off. This stripping method has been used since the 1950s. This is now usually performed using outpatient surgical procedures and rarely requires general anesthesia.

Spider veins cannot be removed through surgery. Sometimes, they disappear when the larger varicose veins feeding the spider veins are removed. The remaining spider veins also can be treated with sclerotherapy.

Are these procedures painful?

For all of these procedures, the amount of pain an individual feels will vary, depending on the person's general tolerance for pain, how extensive the treatments are, which parts of the body are treated, whether complications arise, and other factors. Because surgery is performed under anesthesia, pain is not felt during the procedure. After the anesthesia wears off, there can be some pain at or near the incision(s).

For sclerotherapy, the degree of pain will also depend on the size of the needle used and which solution is injected. Most people find hypertonic saline to be the most painful solution and experience a burning and cramping sensation for several minutes when it is injected. Some doctors mix a mild local anesthetic with the saline solution to minimize the pain.

Compression stockings work simply by squeezing the leg, thereby reducing the amount of blood and pressure in the veins. There are various brands, styles, and colors of stockings available. The degree of pressure applied around the leg should be guided by a healthcare professional. Ideally, they should be fitted when the leg is not swollen, and they can be made to order for each patient.

Older or obese individuals often have difficulty putting on the stockings, which must be worn when the patient is standing. These stockings typically lose some degree of compression over time so they may need to be replaced regularly.

Spider veins and small varicose veins can be treated with laser treatment applied from the surface of the skin. The laser applies intense energy that essentially destroys the small blood vessels on the surface of the skin. Results are variable, and multiple treatments may be necessary to have some benefit. This procedure is generally less invasive than sclerotherapy and vein stripping (no insertion of needles or catheters is required). A possible problem that may arise after laser treatment is a temporary discoloration of the skin.

Larger varicose veins may be treated with endovenous (inside the vein) catheter ablation or laser surgery. This involves inserting a probe (or catheter) into a large vein in the lower leg (saphenous vein) and closing the vein by applying heat generated through a laser. This technique has proven to be less painful, and it also has a faster recovery time compared to vein-stripping surgery.

Picture of varicose veins being treated with sclerotherapy

"Sclerotherapy" involves using a fine needle to inject a substance directly into the vein. This solution irritates the lining of the vein, causing the vein to swell and the blood to clot. The vein then turns into scar tissue that may eventually fade from view. Sclerotherapy is typically used for spider veins and varicose veins. Veins up to 15 millimeters in diameter have been treated successfully. This is generally offered to patients who have tried compression stockings and leg elevation without much success. Today, the substances most commonly used in the United States for sclerotherapy are hypertonic saline and sodium tetradecyl sulfate (Sotradecol), and polidocanol (Aethoxysklerol, Asclera) is now also approved in the U.S. for sclerotherapy.

Picture of spider veins being treated with sclerotherapy

With sclerotherapy, after the solution is injected, the vein's surrounding tissue is generally wrapped in compression bandages for several days, causing the vein walls to stick together. Patients whose legs have been treated are put on walking regimens, which force the blood to flow into other veins and prevent the development of blood clots. This method and variations of it have been used since the 1920s. In most cases, more than one treatment session will be required.

Many factors will affect the rate at which treated varicose veins recur. These include the underlying diagnosis, the method used and its suitability for treating the particular condition, and the skill of the physician. Sometimes the body forms a new vein in place of the one removed by a surgeon. An injected vein that was not destroyed by sclerotherapy may reopen, or a new vein may appear in the same location as the previous one.

Many studies have found that varicose veins are more likely to recur following sclerotherapy than following surgery. However, no treatment method has been scientifically established as being free from recurrences. For all types of procedures, recurrence rates increase with time. Also, because the venous disease is typically progressive, no treatment can prevent the appearance of new varicose or spider veins in the future.

Complications of varicose veins are rare. If they occur, they may include:

• Varicose ulcers: You may develop painful ulcers, especially over the ankle. These ulcers can take time to heal and keep recurring even after being healed.
• Blood clots: Stagnated blood can clot and cause your leg to swell. The condition causes the veins to enlarge and become inflamed (thrombophlebitis).
• Bleeding: Varicose veins close to the skin can burst and cause bleeding.

If you develop any of these complications, seek medical attention immediately.

In some patients treated with sclerotherapy, a dark discoloration of the injected area may occur (hyperpigmentation). This usually happens because of the disintegration of the red blood cells in the treated blood vessel. In the majority of cases, this discoloration will completely go away within 6 months.

Another potential problem is the formation of new spider veins near the area that was treated with sclerotherapy. This can happen in some patients, but these new vessels also typically disappear within 6 months.

Rare complications may include the formation of an ulcer around the injection site or the formation of small blood clots in the small surface veins (superficial thrombophlebitis).

Is sclerotherapy safe for everyone with varicose and spider veins?

Sclerotherapy is generally safe for most people for the treatment of varicose and spider veins. However, in certain groups of people, such as those individuals who are unable to walk (non-ambulatory), sclerotherapy should be avoided. Other contraindications for undergoing sclerotherapy include obesity, blood clots in the deeper veins, allergy to the sclerosing agent, pregnancy, and arterial obstruction (blocked blood flow in the artery near the varicose vein).

Patients should consult their doctor about the safety and potential side effects of each type of treatment. Thoroughly review any "informed consent" forms the doctor gives you explaining the risks of a procedure.

For surgical removal of veins, potential side effects include those for any surgery performed under anesthesia, including nausea, and vomiting, as well as the risk of post-operative wound infection. Surgery may also result in scarring where small incisions are made, and the formation of blood clots is a potential complication as well.

For sclerotherapy, the side effects can depend on the substance used for the injection. People with allergies may want to be cautious. For example, sodium tetradecyl sulfate (Sotradecol) may cause allergic reactions, which can occasionally be severe. Hypertonic saline solution is unlikely to cause allergic reactions. Either substance may damage the skin (if the needle is not properly inserted) or permanently mark or "stain" the skin (these brownish marks are caused by the scattering of blood cells throughout the tissue after the vein has been injected and may fade over time). Rarely, sclerotherapy can lead to the formation of new spider veins or distant blood clots.

Laser treatments can cause scarring and changes in the color of the skin.

Is one treatment for varicose veins or spider veins better than the other?

The method you select for treating venous disease should be based on the physician's diagnosis, the size of the veins to be treated and the patient's:

• Treatment history
• Age
• History of allergies
• Ability to tolerate surgery and anesthesia, among other factors

As noted above, small spider veins cannot be surgically removed and can only be treated with sclerotherapy. On the other hand, larger varicose veins may, according to many studies, be more likely to recur if treated with sclerotherapy.

Prevention of varicose veins may be accomplished by periodic leg elevation, avoidance of prolonged standing, and wearing an elastic support hose. Regular exercise and control of weight can also be beneficial. These measures can prevent or slow down the progression of varicose veins.

Doctors rarely use drug treatment for varicose veins, although there is evidence that a micronized purified flavonoid fraction produced from citrus rinds reduces symptom frequency in people with chronic venous insufficiency. This is a "medical food" available in the U.S. by prescription only under the name of diosmiplex (Vasculera).