Seeing spider veins or varicose veins appear on your body for the first time can be quite upsetting. So to help you with an informed discussion with your vein treatment NJ, we have provided the basics of spider veins and varicose veins in this article.
Spider veins and varicose veins can affect the same individual and result from the same process. Let's break it down further into what each of these might look like:
- spider veins are fine, web-like clusters of vessels that appear on the legs, face, or chest in general. They are typically red or purple and less than 1 mm in size.
- varicose veins are bulging veins greater than 3 mm in size that may be blue or purple. They protrude from the skin and have visible tortuosity.
WHY DO WE HAVE SPIDER VEINS AND VARICOSE VEINS?
Chronic venous insufficiency can underlie many cases of spider veins and varicose veins. Often hereditary, venous pooling occurs in the legs due to the abnormal flow of blood back towards the heart with venous insufficiency. While not dangerous, symptoms of venous insufficiency include spider veins, varicose veins, heaviness, aching, leg cramps and restless legs during the early stages.
Spider veins and varicose veins represent a continuum of vein disease. In one classification scheme (CEAP), there are six stages to venous insufficiency. In stage 1, individuals develop spider veins. During stage 2, varicose veins develop. With progressive stages, individuals can have swelling or edema, skin discoloration and leg ulcerations from untreated vein disease.
The Main Differences between Spider veins and Varicose Veins can be broken down by a few features:
1. APPEARANCE
Spider veins are the small veins that appear as red, blue, or purple on the skin. They’re occur in clusters that resemble webs (hence the name spider veins). Often cosmetic, these veins are under 1 mm in size and can be treated with sclerotherapy or laser vein removal.
Varicose veins are larger examples of abnormal veins and range from 3 mm to over 20 mm. They protrude from the skin and are more likely to be symptomatic. In this case, an ultrasound can be helpful to diagnose underlying chronic venous insufficiency.
Both spider veins and varicose veins are often hereditary. Influential factors include prolonged standing/sitting, hormonal variations, pregnancy, obesity, and certain medications.
2. CAUSES
Spider veins and varicose veins occur often secondary to poor circulation. With symptoms, this may suggest venous insufficiency and impaired circulation in the larger saphenous veins in our legs that drain the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Again, this is more likely with varicose veins than spider veins. Poor circulation increases the pressure inside the leg veins and increases the chances for developing spider and varicose veins.
The underlying factor is generally related to poor valve function in the veins. These tiny structures work like ladders to assist blood back from the legs to the heart. There are valves in both are deep and superficial veins. However, superficial veins are more prone to wear and tear leading to valve dysfunction because of the absence of any significant muscle function around our skin veins.
3. RISK FACTORS
Although they have their differences, spider veins and varicose veins share similar risk factors:
- Heredity – If one parent has vein disease, the chances of developing spider or varicose veins is above 50%
- Hormonal Changes – During pregnancy or with certain medications can prone individuals to spider veins
- Gender – Women are more likely to have spider veins than men. This is probably related to estrogen
- Age – Wear and tear over the years is associated with an increased risk
- Weight - Smaller risk factor associated with the wearing down of valves
- Prolonged standing or sitting -activities related to lifestyle or work
FIND EFFECTIVE VEIN TREATMENT TODAY
Treatment for spider veins or varicose veins is effective among NJ vein clinics. The choice of vein treatment will depend on a host of factors including the staging of vein disease, symptoms, patient goals and ultrasound examination. For spider veins, simple cosmetic treatments can be effective, however a vein doctor may need to consider underlying conditions for some individuals with aggressive presentations or poor healing with initial treatment.
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