What are "spider veins"?
If they look like spiders I'm totally glueing my feet to the floor...
Answers: What are spider vein?
Small "spider veins" also can appear on the skin's surface. These may look like short, fine lines, "starburst" clusters, or a web-like maze. Spider vein are most common in the thighs, ankles, and foot. They may also appear on the face.
Who gets varicose and spider vein?
Varicose and spider veins can occur within men or women of any age, but most frequently affect women of childbearing years and older. Family history of the problem and aging increase one's tendency to develop varicose and spider vein.
What causes varicose and spider veins?
The cause of varicose and spider veins are not entirely understood. In some instances, the absenteeism or weakness of valves surrounded by the veins, which prevent the backward flow of blood away from the heart, may create the poor circulation. In other cases, weaknesses in the artery walls may cause the pooling of the blood. Less commonly, varicose veins are cause by such diseases as phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) or congenital abnormalities of the veins. Venous disease is largely progressive and cannot be prevented entirely. However, in some cases, wearing support hosiery and maintaining run of the mill weight and regular exercise may be beneficial.
Is treatment always requisite?
No. Varicose and spider veins may be primarily a cosmetic problem. Severe cases of varicose veins, especially those involving ulcer, typically require treatment.
Thousands of people every year consider getting treatment for varicose veins and spider vein. Advertisements for treating venous disease often tout "unique," "everlasting," "painless," or "absolutely safe" methods - making it difficult to decide on the best treatment. Check beside a doctor if you are uncertain.
What procedures are available to treat varicose and spider veins?
Varicose vein are frequently treated by eliminating the "bad" veins. This forces the blood to flow through the remaining stout veins. Various methods can be used to eliminate the problem vein, including, most commonly, surgery or sclerotherapy. Less commonly, laser or electro-cautery treatments have been used to treat the smallest spider vein, especially on the face. Surgery to treat varicose veins, commonly referred to as "stripping," is usually done below local or partial anesthesia, such as an "epidural."
Here, the problematic veins are "stripped" out by passing a flexible device through the capillary and removing it through an incision near the groin. Smaller tributaries of these veins also are stripped beside this device or removed through a series of small incisions. Those veins that connect to the deeper veins are after tied off. This stripping method has be used since the 1950's.
Resolved Questions...