Varicose
Veins & Spider Veins
Veins
are responsible for taking blood back to the heart. They have a
series of small valves to accomplish this.
In the legs there are two venous systems:
Deep System - responsible for 90% of blood return.
Superficial System - returns 10% of blood.
Varicose Veins only occur in the superficial system. When the valves
become diseased the vein walls lose elasticity. The diseased valves
allow the blood to flow back down the leg.
 Large
varicose veins are seen as bulging or in some cases, as bunches
of grapes. The legs may feel heavy, painful or tired. These are
mostly found along the greater and lesser saphenous veins and their
tributaries.
If left untreated these veins can cause complications such as,
leg ulcers or phlebitis.
Medium
Veins
Medium
Veins (reticulars)
Appear bluish just under the skin
and feed into the spider veins. They may cause heaviness and
aching.
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Spider
Veins
Spider
Veins (telangectasia)
Are the small capillaries and appear red or purple. These
can cause itching, burning or aching. Mostly they are unsightly.
They can occur anywhere on the legs and are usually fed by
medium or reticular veins.
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FACIAL
VEINS:
These are tiny
red vessels seen around the nose and cheeks. the major cause is
hereditary but exposure to sun, windburn, alcohol and harsh facial
cleansing can all be contributing factors.
The treatment in the same as for the veins of the legs except finer
needles are used.
The causes
of Varicose & Spider Veins
HEREDITY:
is the most common cause of varicose and spider veins through
some healthy veins can become varicose following injury or inflammation.
The following are contributing factors.
OBESITY
HORMONES: (especially those produced during puberty, pregnancy,
menopause)
EXCESSIVE HEAT
AGING
PROLONGED STANDING: (nurses, teachers, hairdressers, waitresses,
retail workers
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