Varicose Veins

Venous Veins may range from simple varicose veins which may be quite asymptomatic to severe chronic venous insufficiency with associated ulcers and wounds.

Varicose veins are common; in fact , some people consider them as normal since they are so common. Varicose veins are caused by venous insufficiency as a result of valve(reflux) incompetence.

In the legs the venous system is comprised of the deep and superficial veins connected by perforators or communication veins. With the aid of one way valves, blood flow is unidirectional: in the superficial and deep veins flow is vital to proximal(from feet towards the heart). And in the perforator is flow from superficial to deep veins.

Symptomatic Varicose Veins

Symptomatic varicose veins occur in approximately 15% of men and 25% of women. Their presence may be of non non-urgent( cosmetic) concern or may cause various degrees of discomfort. Some varicose veins may have serious consequences such as an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis which may lead to pulmonary embolism if left untreated.

Primary Varicose Veins

There are multifactorial causes: that may include increased abdominal pressure ring from a abdominal tumour, pregnancy , obesity or chronic constipation, increased pressure caused by prolonged standing, familial tendency(genetic basis) with their mother or father having varicose veins and then also genetical factors. The older the people being examined the more common varicose vein are seen.

Secondary Varicose Veins

Secondary varicose veins are caused by deep venous thrombosis.

In primary varicose veins , failed valves allow blood to flow in the reverse direction(away from heart) from deep to superficial and from heart to feet. With increased pressure in the local venous system, smaller veins can balloon out, leading to the appearance of small cosmetic spider veins. Larger affected veins may over time become elongated and tortuous(varicose).

What types of varicose veins do you get?

The typical varicose veins the most people think of are the trunk varices. These are directly part of the larger superficial veins of the leg including the great saphenous vein( the largest vein going from groin to ankle in the fat just under the skin or the small saphenous vein(runs from ankle to just behind the knee). These veins are almost 10 mm in size and may be may be larger. They can usually be easily felt especially when the person is standing.