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About Spider Veins and Available Treatments

Published on November 6, 2018

Spider veins, like varicose veins, stem from the same underlying cause known as “chronic venous insufficiency” or “venous reflux”. This usually signifies a deeper problem than what we’d like to imagine. Therefore, it is best to talk to a medical expert in order to know more about the condition.

Veins in the human body have one purpose – to transport blood back to the heart, where it is re-infused with oxygen and re-circulated back into the body.

However, due to the presence of outside factors like gravity, our veins have to put in a considerable amount of effort to keep pumping blood. There are actual valves that aid the process, determining how much blood needs to travel at a given point in time.

But, the valves can become weak over time, due to factors such as the aging process, genetics, pregnancy, and spending an excessive amount of time sitting or standing. When this happens, the valves fail to regulate the blood flow and the excess blood flows back, creating pools within the veins.

This pooling of blood eventually manifests itself in the form of spider veins. This is also why the underlying cause is called “chronic venous insufficiency”.

Spider veins can be identified by their appearance. They are either red, purple, or blue in color. Other than that, they also tend to twist and turn under the skin.

Doctors who specialize in veins can diagnose the condition and prescribe special injections that can cure the problem.

Causes of Venous Insufficiency

We know why spider veins are formed and the range of factors that influence the formation. However, we still do not understand how exactly spider veins are caused. As stated earlier, some of the most common factors are heredity, aging, trauma, hormonal fluctuations, sun damage, and pregnancy etc.

Women have a higher risk of developing spider veins than men. Around 40% of women will likely experience spider veins in some form or another. In fact, the chances increase significantly as one gets older. By the age of 80, a high percentage of women develop vein-related conditions. This often includes spider veins.

Treating Spider Veins

There is a range of treatments to help deal with spider veins. One of the most basic is the use of support stockings. These stockings help hold the veins in place by creating pressure, which prevents the blood from slipping back. They are sold at most pharmaceutical stores and are quite affordable.

For more severe cases, we have non-surgical procedures such as sclerotherapy, where the affected vein is injected with a solution that will eliminate the veins.

The laser is another spider vein treatment option. Topical lasers, like the ones we have at out vein center, are very effective for treating facial veins. Particularly, the blue veins that appear under the eyes, or on the temples. We, at Nu Vela, do not recommend treating leg spider veins with a laser. The procedure is more painful and less effective than sclerotherapy.

Microphlebectomy is another option for removing spider veins. However, nowadays it is rarely used for that purpose because the healing process after sclerotherapy is faster and it is much easier to apply it to a cluster of thin veins; often with much better treatment outcome.

To know more about spider veins and how to treat the condition, click spider vein treatment Los Angeles, or talk to a vein expert.

Contact Our Office

With the help of a vein expert like Dr. Raffi Dishakjian, any issues you have with spider veins and other related conditions can be solved with well executed and safe treatments. If you’re interested in learning more, contact our vein treatment center in Los Angeles today.

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