Veins are the vessels that return blood to the heart once it has circulated through the body, whereas arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. Veins have one-way valves that help keep blood flowing in the proper direction. If these valves stop functioning the way they are supposed to, blood can flow backwards and pool in the vein, causing it to stretch. This can lead to spider and varicose veins.

Spider and Varicose Veins

Spider veins are small damaged veins that develop close to the surface of the skin. They are also known as “telangiectasias” and are usually fed by larger “reticular veins”. “Reticular” veins are under the skin and often referred to as ‘feeder veins. They are smaller branches that lead to larger veins.

Varicose veins develop in deeper tissues and are swollen, dark blue or purple blood vessels that you can see and feel beneath the skin. They develop because the valves within a vein weaken and allow blood to flow backwards. Under the additional strain, the vein weakens and balloons outward, bulging under the skin surface. The result is twisted cords of veins that bulge above the skin’s surface. Common areas in which varicose veins occur are in the calves and thighs.

Before and After

Blood flow in varicose veins

If you notice one or more bulging veins on your legs; this is an indication that valve damage has occurred to that vessel. Veins move blood and nutrients throughout the body and then back to the heart. Muscle contractions in the legs help to progress the upward movement of blood against gravity. Veins have one-way flaps called valves to keep blood moving in the right direction. Weakness in a valve allows blood to accumulate, causing the vein to swell and bulge.

Symptoms & diagnosis of varicose veins

The first thing noticed in people with varicose veins is the appearance of bulging vessels. Additional symptoms include:

Restless legs
Heavy leg sensation
Swelling
Cramping, throbbing, or aching pain that worsens with inactivity
Itching
Skin discoloration and hardening

Generally, varicose veins do not pose a severe health threat. However, certain conditions may result from untreated venous insufficiency. These include bleeding, skin ulceration, superficial blood clotting, deep vein thrombosis (deep clots in your legs), or deeper clots in your lungs. Chronic venous insuficiency is the name for a condition that arises from people with damaged leaky veins. Once this condition develops to a extent; it is irreversible. We will assess you with a comprehensive history; examination and ultrasound scan and clarify your risk for any above concerns. Early treatment at times is the best prevention for CVI.

Our doctors can usually diagnose varicose veins after a physical examination of the affected area followed by a detailed ultrasound assessment. To book an appointment with Dr Thomaz de Campos Silva, call on 07 3391 8008 or make an appointment via Hotdoc below:

Truncal vein reflux issues

Truncal veins are major superficial veins in the legs that can reflux (backflow) without any external major signs. The truncal veins are the main veins outside of the muscle but under the skin. They lie in the fat beneath the skin and are not usually visible. The names of common leaky veins are: Great Saphenous Vein, Small Saphenous Vein, Anterior Accessory Saphenous Vein and Giacomini Vein. Reflux in truncal veins is not always obvious. A blockage (e.g. from DVT) or leaky valves in the larger truncal veins causes a build-up of pressure in the numerous smaller veins. That is how chronic venous insufficiency develops.