Varicose veins are swollen, protruding veins that are visible above the skin’s surface. Although they typically appear in the legs, it’s not uncommon to find them elsewhere on the body. At times, these veins run deep enough that it’s impossible to see them with the naked eye. It’s here that vein disease may hide and develop with time, which is why Dr. Zaitsev goes underneath the surface to address the root of the problem.

What Are The Symptoms?

Varicose veins may or may not be painful. They can manifest in a variety of ways, including veins that appear blue or purple and veins that are swollen and twisting. Some of the symptoms that you may experience beyond cosmetic concerns are:

• Legs that are achy or heavy to the touch

• Bruising and skin discoloration

• Pain that gets worse after a lengthy period of sitting or standing

• Itching and burning near the veins

• Swelling and cramping in your legs

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins can appear everywhere on the body, but the legs and thighs are the most common area. Inside of these veins are tiny valves. As the blood flows to your heart, the valves act to prevent the blood from flowing backward. As with Spider veins, Varicose veins occur when the valves in your veins are faulty or damaged. When a valve becomes weakened, blood accumulates, causing the vein to expand.

Some people are more predisposed to getting Varicose veins and there are a variety of risk factors involved:

• As your age increases, so does your risk of experiencing Varicose veins. As you get older, the valves in your veins begin to deteriorate. As a result of this wear and tear, the valves let blood to flow backwards rather than to your heart, where it builds up inside of your veins and causes them to swell.

• Women are more prone than men to experience Varicose veins. Female hormones tend to loosen vein walls, so hormonal changes while pregnant or prior to your period can influence the likelihood you develop this condition. Hormone therapy may also raise your chances of developing varicose veins.

• The volume of blood in your body grows throughout pregnancy. This shift benefits the developing fetus, but it also has the unintended consequence of causing larger veins in your legs.

• If you have a family history of Varicose veins, you're more likely to have them as well.

• Obesity puts additional strain on your veins.

• Long durations of standing or sitting are not recommended. When you're in the same posture for a long time, your blood doesn't circulate as well.

Treatment

While maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly might help minimize the symptoms of Varicose veins, lifestyle changes may not be enough for some people. Many patients who suffer from this condition seek therapy to alleviate the discomfort and cosmetic appearance on their legs or other parts of the body. Swelling, weariness, itching, and cramping are some of the symptoms that might be relieved by treatment. However, if affected veins go untreated, they can sometimes lead to more serious complications. Dr. Zaitsev offers minimally invasive treatment options that have been proven to work.