Varicose & Spider Veins
❂ Your Veins ❂ Causes ❂ Symptoms ❂ Risk Factors ❂ Consequences ❂
Spider veins and varicose veins are an aesthetic nuisance, but for some patients they may also be a warning sign of potentially serious circulation issues. As one of the best New Orleans vein treatment centers we can provide fast, safe, and effective treatment for both issues.
Spider veins are small veins that appear close to the surface of the skin. These superficial veins are often discolored and may take on a web-like pattern. While spider veins can leave you feeling unattractive, they are unlikely to cause danger to your health.
Varicose veins are a different matter. These bulging, twisted veins occur due to damage to tiny valves that line a vein’s wall. Rather than helping to keep blood flowing towards the heart, damaged veins allow fluids to pool backwards into the vessel below. This backflow causes pressure that may stretch out the vein walls, leading to varicose veins. Varicosities rise above the skin’s surface and often appear ropy, twisted, or lumpy.
While varicose veins are certainly aesthetically problematic, they can also have an impact on a patient’s overall health. Leaking fluids can build up in the ankles and calves, causing uncomfortable swelling. Sluggish blood flow can create an environment well suited for blood clot formation, including a potentially dangerous type of clot known as deep vein thrombosis. If the issues that lead to varicose veins are ignored over the long term, painful wounds called ulcers may form on the legs and ankles.
