VEIN CONDITIONS

VEIN CONDITIONS


Varicose Veins

The most common type of vascular lesion is the condition known as varicose leg veins. Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels (usually greater than 1 mm in diameter) that often bulge and appear “ropey” or entwined. They occur when the wall of the vein weakens or collapses. When near-surface veins are subjected to high pressure, they dilate and elongate, which causes them to develop the purple-blue color associated with varicose veins. The affected veins do not function properly and cause blood to flow back into the leg causing symptoms such as pain, throbbing, aching, tiredness, heaviness, cramps, burning, itching, restless legs, and swelling. Varicose veins can also cause blood clots, thrombophlebitis, pigmentation, and eczema and if left untreated, lead to more serious conditions such as bleeding veins and leg ulcers. Varicose veins develop gradually and progressively and tend to increase as people age.

Spider Veins

Spider Veins or Telangiectasias are small, thin dilated veins and are usually found close to the surface of the skin. They are caused by small blood vessels that dilate, or swell to the point where they prevent the blood from flowing properly. Typically spider veins are smaller, red or blue veins that appear on the surface of the skin and are commonly found on the leg or face, and usually are primarily a cosmetic concern. They do not enlarge to become varicose veins but can cause significant symptoms despite their small size.

Matting

Matting is the development of extremely fine networks of spider veins likely to occur on the outer and inner thighs and the cluster of spider veins may appear as a red or purple patch called blushing or matting (telangiectatic matting) that are mistaken for bruises. Unlike bruises, however, spider vein mattings do not fade with time. Matting is more common in people with extensive surface veins and in overweight people with poor muscle tone. Matting can also follow the surgical removal of varicose veins.

Facial Vein

Facial vein removal is the process of treating the tiny red lines or flushing noted over the face neck and chest. Sometimes called different names such as spider veins, telangiectasias, spider angiomas or benign vascular lesions, facial veins for some can be an unsightly embarrassment and are typically cosmetically unpleasant. Spider veins over the face occur from a weakening of the elastic fibers within the blood vessel walls. Causes often include aging, sun damage, rosacea, hormones from pregnancy or birth control pills, certain autoimmune diseases or steroid use. These tiny red or purplish vessels can materialize over the forehead, cheeks, nose, eyelids, neck and chest.

Hand Veins

In most cases, hand veins are normal, healthy veins that have become more visible. Many people develop large bulging veins on the backs of their hands, as they get older. Generally, this is due to their skin relaxing and thinning with age, which causes the veins to become more noticeable and appear enlarged. Normally, these veins do not cause pain and are typically treated for cosmetic reasons.
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