Those unsightly bluish and gnarled veins in your legs aren’t only embarrassing. They cause pain too. Your legs feel heavy and tired. They ache when you stand for hours during work.

You may have observed and experienced the following:

The most fatal complication of varicose veins is blood clotting or thrombosis. This usually occurs in the elderly occurring in the deeper veins. Ulcerations may lead to dangerous bacterial infections.

Varicose veins are due to the inability of veins to propel blood into the heart. Typically, veins transport deoxygenated blood towards the hearts and into the lungs for oxygenation. Leg veins carry blood against gravity and are prone to the development of varicose veins. If their valves are destroyed there is the tendency for backward flow of blood. Over time, they become inefficient and as a result form those tortuous ugly veins you see in your legs. But, varicose veins also occur in other parts of your body. Spider veins involve tiny veins.

Some causes of varicose veins are heredity, age, pregnancy, hormone induced and standing for prolonged periods of time.

There are ways to treat the condition.  Compression stocking can be worn for mild cases and for prevention especially when you can’t avoid standing for prolonged periods of time. These stockings assist the veins in their function to propel blood upwards to the heart. Or you can also exercise or elevate your legs to prevent them from occurring.

For more serious conditions other treatment methods can be utilized.  Sclerotherapy, laser surgeries, catheter assisted procedures, vein stripping, ambulatory phlebectomy and endoscopic vein surgery can be carried out. These methods are done safely with the least amount of pain and side effects by a well trained vascular surgeon.

Varicose veins aren’t simple cosmetic concerns. When complications set in, they can be serious. Varicose veins are also symptoms of underlying serious medical conditions. If you’re feeling pain, heaviness and ulceration especially if you’re experiencing complications, it is always wise to consult expert care.  A vascular surgeon is a specialist in treating varicose veins and other vascular diseases.