Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, and often bulging veins that typically appear on the legs and feet. They are a visible sign of an underlying medical condition called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

To understand how they form, it helps to know how leg veins work. Your veins have one-way valves that keep blood flowing upward, against gravity, back to your heart. When these valves become weak, damaged, or fail, blood can flow backward and pool in the veins. This increased pressure causes the veins to stretch, twist, and bulge, becoming what we see as varicose veins.

While less common, varicose veins in hands can also occur, often due to repetitive strain, aging, or loss of skin elasticity.

Key Risk Factors:

• Genetics: A family history is one of the strongest predictors.
• Age: Wear and tear on vein valves increases over time.
• Gender: Women are more likely to develop them, partly due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause.
• Pregnancy: Increased blood volume and pressure from the growing uterus can strain leg veins.
• Obesity: Excess weight puts additional pressure on the venous system.
• Prolonged Standing or Sitting: Occupations that involve little movement can hinder blood flow.

The Stages of Varicose Veins: A Progressive Condition

Varicose veins develop in stages. Recognizing the starting stage of varicose veins allows for earlier intervention, which can prevent progression.

Stage 1: Spider Veins (Telangiectasia)

• What you see: Fine, red, or blue web-like lines or networks on the skin.
• What you feel: Usually no physical discomfort. This is often considered a cosmetic issue, but it can be an early warning sign of underlying venous insufficiency.

Stage 2: Rope-Like Varicose Veins

• What you see: Larger, swollen, raised, and clearly twisted veins that look like cords. They are blue or dark purple.
• What you feel: This is when physical symptoms often begin. You may experience aching, heaviness, throbbing, cramping, or fatigue in the legs, especially after long periods of sitting or standing.

Stage 3: Edema (Swelling)

• What you see: Noticeable swelling (edema) in the legs, ankles, and feet without a change in skin color.
• What you feel: Increased discomfort and a feeling of tightness in the skin. The swelling may worsen throughout the day and improve after elevating the legs overnight.

Stage 4: Skin Changes

• What you see: The skin around the affected veins undergoes changes. It may become discolored (appearing brownish or purplish), dry, inflamed, and intensely itchy—a condition called venous eczema or stasis dermatitis.
• What you feel: Severe itching and a leathery texture to the skin.

Stage 5: Healed Ulcer

• What you see: An ulcer (a break in the skin) that has previously occurred but has now healed. This indicates a history of severe venous disease.

Stage 6: Active Ulcer

• What you see: An open, weeping wound on the leg, typically near the ankle. This is the most serious complication and requires immediate medical attention from a varicose veins specialist.

Diagnosis: How a Specialist Confirms the Problem

If you suspect you have varicose veins, a varicose veins specialist (a phlebologist or vascular surgeon) will conduct a thorough evaluation. The most critical diagnostic tool is a Duplex Ultrasound Scan.

• What it is: A painless, non-invasive test that uses sound waves.
• What it does: It creates real-time images of your veins and checks the direction of blood flow. This allows the doctor to map the exact location of faulty valves and assess the severity of your condition, which is essential for planning the correct treatment.

Treatment Options: From Lifestyle Management to Advanced Procedures

Treatment depends on the stage of your veins, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall health.

1. Conservative Management and Self-Care

For early stages or as a complementary approach, varicose veins self-care is crucial.

• Compression Stockings: These are medically graded stockings that apply gentle, graduated pressure to your legs, helping to squeeze the veins and push blood upward. They are a cornerstone of management but are not a cure.
• Regular Exercise: Varicose veins physical exercise like walking, swimming, and cycling activates your calf muscles, which act as a “second heart” to pump blood back up.
• Leg Elevation: Raising your legs above heart level for 15-30 minutes, several times a day, uses gravity to reduce swelling and pressure.
• Weight Management and Healthy Diet: Reducing excess weight lowers the pressure on your veins.

2. Minimally Invasive Procedures (The Modern Standard)

These procedures have largely replaced traditional surgery. They are performed in-office or at a clinic, require little to no downtime, and are highly effective.

• Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA / Laser Treatment):

• • • How it works: A varicose veins specialist inserts a thin laser fiber into the diseased vein through a tiny puncture. Laser energy is delivered, which heats and seals the vein shut.
    • What happens next: The sealed vein is gradually absorbed by the body, and blood is naturally rerouted to healthier veins.
    • Benefits: Minimally invasive, performed under local anesthesia, minimal scarring, and a quick return to normal activities.
      
      

• Sclerotherapy:

• • • How it works: A fine needle is used to inject a special foam or liquid solution (sclerosant) directly into the spider veins or smaller varicose veins. This solution irritates the vein lining, causing it to collapse and seal shut.
    • Ideal for: Treating smaller veins and spider veins.
      
      

• Clarivein / Mechanochemical Ablation (MOCA):

• • How it works: A catheter is used to simultaneously mechanically disrupt the vein wall and deliver a sclerosant. This technique often requires no tumescent anesthesia (numbing fluid).
    
    
• Varicose Veins Spray: It’s important to note that this typically refers to topical cosmetic products that may temporarily reduce the appearance of tiny spider veins but cannot treat underlying venous insufficiency or true varicose veins.

3. Surgical Options

• Phlebectomy: Small hooks are used to remove smaller varicose veins through tiny incisions.
• Vein Stripping: A traditional, more invasive surgery to remove a large vein (the great saphenous vein). This is less common today due to the success of minimally invasive techniques.

Why Choose Bharatkare for Your Varicose Vein Treatment?

At Bharatkare, we understand that varicose veins impact your comfort, confidence, and overall well-being. We are your dedicated partner in achieving vascular health.

• Expert Vetting: We connect you with leading varicose veins specialists who are experts in the latest minimally invasive techniques, including laser treatment for varicose veins.
• Personalized Care Plans: We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific varicose veins classification, symptoms, and lifestyle goals.
• Comprehensive Support: From your initial diagnostic ultrasound test for varicose veins through your procedure and post-treatment recovery—including guidance on compression stockings and physical exercise—we are with you every step of the way.
• Transparency: We provide clear information about the varicose veins treatment cost and what to expect, so you can make an informed decision with confidence.

Don’t let varicose veins hold you back. Contact Bharatkare today to schedule a consultation with a specialist and take the first step toward healthier, more comfortable legs.