What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are caused by unhealthy veins with weak or ruptured vein walls and valves. When this happens, the valve is damaged and becomes weakened, causing the blood to pool or reflux (making the blood flow downwards and in the wrong direction instead of upward towards the heart). This damages and distorts the veins leading to varicose veins.

What are the Risk Factors?

People with varicose veins often talk of close family members having similar problems. However, sometimes varicose veins can occur as a result of injury in the context of physical sports like football or activities where heavyweights are being lifted eg bodybuilding. There are a few reasons which can cause Varicose Veins, including; 

• Genetic Bias - someone in your genetic family has them
• Gender - Females are more likely to have Varicose Veins
• Multiple Pregnancies
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Menopause 
• Working in a job where you are on your feet for long durations of time. 

Varicose veins can become very noticeable, making people feel uneasy, embarrassed or lose confidence in themselves; that is why people who are worried about their cosmetic appearance tend to seek treatment options.
Some of the symptoms our patients experience include;

• Swollen bluish, purple or reddish veins in the leg or thigh
• Aching pain or feeling of heaviness in the leg
• Night time cramps might occur with a little bit of itching around the vein
• Discolouration in the part of the skin
• Restless legs
• Severe itching over or around the prominent veins

Left untreated, varicose veins can progress into more serious complications, soreness or severe pain, leg and ankle swelling, skin discolouration or pigmentation and even skin ulceration in severe cases

Diagnosis & Treatment

3 Step Treatment Plan 

Each patient being seen and assessed at HHC Vein Clinics have a 3 step treatment strategy:

1. Initial Consultation including Duplex Ultrasound scan
2. Main treatment episode to treat the underlying cause
3. Follow up appointment, usually to complete the treatment and attain the desired cosmetic result

Our initial vein consultations include:

• We will discuss your clinical history 
• Detailed clinical examination of your legs
• Discussion about family history of venous problems
• Carry out an ultrasound scan which will reveal the nature and extent of the varicose veins including assessment of deep veins
• Personal DVT risk profiling (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
• Producing an individualised treatment plan 

Once the assessment has been completed, your Consultant will explain what treatment options are best for you, what results you can expect to see and how long the process is likely to take.

Most patients need to have two treatment sessions carried out over 6-8 weeks period. Occasionally a patient will require a further follow-up appointment . This is most likely where there are extensive and/or tortuous varicose and thread Veins.