Varicose Veins - Spider Veins - Overview

Tired of Hiding Your Legs? Let Your Vein Doctor Help

Varicose veins are the bluish, bulging swollen and twisted veins running beneath the skin surface and may appear anywhere on the body, although the most commonly affected are in the legs and feet.

Veins carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart. To propel the blood upward toward your heart, your veins rely mainly on surrounding muscle contractions and a network of one-way valves. These valves prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it moves up the legs. Increase in the diameter of a vein results in the malfunction of valves inside the vein and blood leaks back into the vein and pools there. This problem is called venous insufficiency. Pooled blood enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose. An inherited weakness of the vein wall (genetic) and circulating hormones that relax the smooth muscle of the vein wall are the most common causes. Females have high levels of such a hormone, the hormone progesterone.

Within the legs there are three main types of veins: superficial veins, deep veins, and perforator veins. Superficial veins are found just below the skin surface. These are the visible veins prone to varicosity. Deep veins are situated deep in the leg, and because of muscle support, varicosities do not arise within these veins. Perforator veins, on the other hand, transport the blood from the superficial veins to the deep veins. These are the veins that connect two parallel systems: the superficial venous system, and the deep venous system, somewhat like the rungs of a ladder connecting the two side rails. The valves within the perforator veins ensure that the blood flows only one way. When these valves become incompetent, blood is pushed back into the superficial veins and cause skin ulcers, particularly in the lower leg and ankle, and branch vein varicosities throughout the lower extremities—at the level of feet, ankles, lower legs, knees, and thighs.

Spider veins (Telangiectasias) are small, red, blue or purple superficial veins commonly appearing as thin wiggly lines on the thighs, calves and ankles. They form from high pressure in the venous system which causes the thin walled veins to expand. Spider veins may be associated with "feeder veins" or larger underlying varicose veins. Spider veins usually take on one of three basic patterns. They may appear in a true spider shape with a group of veins radiating outward from a dark central point; they may be arbored and will resemble tiny branch-like shapes; or they appear as separate lines, each about the size of a large hair. Linear spider veins are commonly seen on the inner knee, whereas the arbored pattern often appears on the outer thigh in a sunburst or cartwheel distribution.

Reticular veins, usually tortuous, are larger than spider veins but smaller than varicose veins. These are the dilated blue and green veins beneath the skin surface, most often noted in the outer thighs, backs of the thighs and knees, and occasionally on the face. Reticular veins can exist independently but can also be the underlying problem that gives rise to surface spider veins. Because spider veins can result from refluxing reticular veins, they are also known as feeder veins. Removing reticular veins will help eliminate spider veins. Reticular veins are usually considered a cosmetic problem because they do not lead to substantial medical symptoms or complications. A common cause of reticular vein formation may be genetic; some of us may be born with weak veins. Weight gain, prolonged sitting or standing and hormonal imbalances may also contribute to their development.

What are Facial Veins?

Facial veins range in size from very fine, red and purple veins to larger blue-green veins. Despite the fact that these veins carry blood, they are not part of the venous valve system; and develop from deterioration of the collagen structure of the vein wall. Typically, facial veins do not cause any pain and are usually treated for cosmetic reasons.

The smaller veins that appear as fine irregular red lines on the nose, chin, cheeks and the side of the face, are called facial spider veins because they are often reminiscent of a spider's web in shape. The larger facial veins are the reticular veins. These appear greenish blue in color and can be 2-3 mm in diameter. Reticular veins are usually found along the cheekbones, under the eyes, and around the temples.

Facial veins are often related to heredity, oral contraceptives, hormone therapy, sun exposure and the ageing process. The smaller veins are occasionally related to Rosacea, an inflammatory condition characterized by episodic flushing of the facial skin, often lasting for several hours. Rosacea gives the skin a reddened appearance which tends to worsen over time. As the condition progresses, the redness becomes more persistent, and may result in bumps, pimples and visible broken capillaries.

FACIAL RETICULAR VEIN LASER TREATMENT

What is a Saphenous Varicose Vein?

The saphenous veins are the two major veins that run up the legs. There are two saphenous veins; the great and the small saphenous veins. These are superficial veins, meaning that they are close to the surface of the skin, above the muscle layer, and just below the surface skin tissue. The great saphenous vein is the longest vein in the body; it runs from foot to the groin where it joins the femoral vein. Saphenous veins, like other superficial veins, can develop into varicose veins.

Recent studies have shown that there is a correlation between the number, diameter of incompetent perforator veins and deteriorating venous insufficiency of the great saphenous vein. This implies that the presence of incompetent perforator veins cosntitutes a significant factor in the development of venous reflux disease in the great saphenous vein.

Why to Treat Your Varicose and Spider Veins?

Varicose and spider veins are problematic because they indicate poor venous circulation and may often result in symptoms like aching legs, tiredness, leg heaviness, night cramps, numbness and burning sensations. Interestingly, smaller veins sometimes cause many symptoms and larger veins may cause none. Although some of these veins may appear to be stable over many years, generally speaking, without treatment and professional help, varicose and spider veins tend to enlarge and multiply. When therapy is provided for advanced cases, many more treatment sessions are typically required, healing time tends to be longer, and some serious complications, like ulceration or irreversible tissue changes (like discoloration and loss of fat) in the legs may occur. Varicose veins may also signal a higher than normal risk of other disorders of the circulatory system, like deep vein thrombosis. Removing currently existing varicose and spider veins may not prevent your body from forming additional ones in the future, as the condition is treatable but not curable. It is best to treat these veins periodically to maintain the optimal treatment results.

What to Expect from Your Vein Center?

At Nu Vela, a premiere Vein Center, your legs can be virtually transformed using the most advanced technology without painful injections or surgery. Dr. Dishakjian, vein specialist and phlebologist, can eliminate those unattractive, painful spider and varicose veins that may be interfering with your enjoyment of life. Vein therapy can be applied to spider and varicose veins on the legs or to smaller conditions such as facial veins, Rosacea, redness or broken capillaries. Dr. Dishakjian uses a variety of customized procedures to meet each patient's specific needs. During your consultation appointment, the specialist doctor at the center, Dr. Dishakjian, will examine you, discuss treatment options and carefully coordinate an appropriate treatment program to restore proper circulation and optimal vein health and appearance.

Vein Treatment Procedures Offered by the Doctor

Dr. Dishakjian specializes in vascular, or varicose vein therapy, with years of experience and advanced training in Sclerotherapy, Foam Sclerotherapy, Laser Veins Removal, and Vnus closure Procedure. Dr. Dishakjian is a venous system expert with extraordinary knowledge about how veins function and how to treat them effectively and safely. Click here for a summary of vein removal procedures offered at the vein center...

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Questions About Cost or a Treatment?

You may reach our Los Angeles medical spa and vein clinic by clicking the "Contact us" button at the top of the page, or by calling 818-832-4500. Our receptionist will be delighted to assist you with any enquiries regarding cost, additional information, or scheduling a free consultation session with Dr. Dishakjian, a cosmetic surgeon and phlebologist.

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