Varicose Veins Symptoms & Cause

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, tortuous and superficial veins most commonly found over the front of the thigh, inside of the leg or back of the calf. Any superficial vein can become varicosed but legs are most commonly affected because standing and being in the upright position puts increased pressure on the leg veins which are returning blood to the heart against gravity.

Common, affecting 3 in 10 adults and more likely to develop in women than men, some are simply cosmetic resulting in unsightly lumps which are usually twisted, bulging and purple. More commonly patients experience a number of symptoms including:

Aching, cramping and heavy legs – particularly towards the end of the day or at night
Pain and tenderness – especially overlying or on pressing the lumpy veins
Swelling of the ankles and feet – worse towards the end of the day or prolonged standing
Itchy, scaly dry skin (varicose eczema)
Restless legs – again most commonly at night

No long waiting lists at our clinic

It’s best to get varicose veins treated early

Don’t worry if you have got varicose veins, we have many simple treatments available. As with many medical conditions, it is always best to get your varicose veins attended to as early as possible.

A Professional Team

Led by Mr Jeremy Newman

Can varicose veins cause serious complications?

Sadly the answer is yes, although usually uncomplicated, varicose veins can lead to more serious complications including:

Skin changes – the skin around the calf and ankle (gaiter area) may become tighter, harder and thicker. This process is termed lipodermatosclerosis and results from inflammation caused by the varicose veins or venous insufficiency. Inflammation and pooling of blood in the lower leg may also lead to red/brown discolouration (haemosiderin staining). The red blood cells break down and leak iron pigmentation into the skin. Treating the varicose veins (and chronic venous insufficiency) may not reverse the conditions but will help prevent them and slow/stop the progression to further complications such as ulceration.
Ulceration – A break in the skin of the leg, usually in an area of preceding skin changes and often caused by minor trauma. They affect ~1% of the population, are more common with age and overwhelmingly associated with varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency. They can become much larger if untreated, spreading around the entire lower leg, often have a foul smell and require frequent dressing changes. Treatment through compression therapy and correction of any varicose veins may take weeks or months before the sores heal entirely. Early varicose vein treatment helps prevent ulceration and has been shown to speed up the rate of ulcer healing and prevent a recurrence.
Superficial Thrombophlebitis – A blood clot that develops in the superficial varicose veins which become tender, hard/lumpier and painful. It can take many months for the pain to settle. Whilst occurring in the superficial veins, the blood clot may propagate into the deep system resulting in a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Bleeding – Varicose veins are under higher pressure than normal veins. Whilst bleeding is often easily controlled it can be significant.

The best way to prevent these compilations is to treat your varicose veins before they become problematic.

No long waiting lists at our clinics

It’s best to treat your varicose veins before they become problematic

What Causes varicose veins?

Veins carry blood back to the heart under low pressure. In the legs the calf muscles act as a pump, compressing the veins and forcing blood to flow against gravity. As the muscles relax, small valves inside the veins open to catch the blood and ensure it continues to flow towards the heart. If these valves fail the blood is allowed to flow backwards away from the heart causing congestion or high pressure in the venous system (chronic venous insufficiency) furthest away from the heart (the lower legs). This in turn results in varicose veins, their symptoms and complications.

Although varicose veins may be precipitated by DVT or calf muscle pump failure, the most likely cause is primary valve failure in the superficial veins. The most common places for this to happen are close to connections with the deeper veins in the leg, either at the groin (saphenofemoral junction) or behind the knee (saphenopopliteal junction). Valve failure can result from:

Inherited valve defects – you may have relatives who also suffer from or have had treatment for varicose veins
Pregnancy – Hormonal changes and increases in blood volume as well as the pressure from the growing baby can all precipitate varicose veins.
Age – with increasing age the valves experience more wear and tear.
Being Overweight – this places increased pressure on the veins in the legs
Standing or sitting for prolonged periods – causes venous pooling and increased pressure on your veins.

The progression from different stages of varicose vein development is difficult to predict. Many patients with varicose veins will not go on to develop the more severe complications, but most will develop some symptoms and signs of chronic venous hypertension which affect their quality of life. Commonly these are leg pains, swelling and cramps.

Stage 1 – Thread Veins and Spider Veins – These early stages affect most adults as they age. Typically, red/purple/blue networks of veins. They are usually not symptomatic but may be associated with underlying feeding veins.

Stage 2 – Varicose Veins – Enlarged, tortuous, bulging veins which may be painful and tender to the touch. This is the optimum time to treat varicose veins before further complications develop.

Stage 3 – Venous Eczema and Swelling – The development of signs of chronic venous disease with itchy eczematous skin, lower leg swelling or oedema often worse towards the end of the day.

Stage 4 – Skin Changes – Advanced signs of chronic venous disease with reddish/brown skin discolouration and leathery skin texture around the lower leg.

Stage 5 – Venous Ulceration – End stage chronic venous disease with active or healed ulceration.

West Midlands Veins Clinic

Jeremy Newman, Veins Consultant and Vascular Surgeon has been helping people with painful, unsightly and itchy varicose veins for over 20 years. Now available at his new West Midlands Veins Clinic at Stourside Hospital Stourbridge. As a Consultant and vascular specialist, he can help using the latest techniques and procedures to treat and remove varicose veins. The newest techniques offer a quicker recovery time, less bruising and virtually no scars. These days, waiting lists are long, and many people seek a private solution to treat or remove sore, inflamed, or unsightly varicose veins.

Varicose Veins Treatment

Not all varicose veins will need treatment. Jeremy Newman has years of experience as a vascular consultant and will provide expert assessment and investigation of your veins and will quickly be able to suggest the best course of treatments and options for your varicose veins. He can also help with cosmetic removal and treatments which are unavailable through the NHS. Treatment of varicose veins becomes important when varicose veins are painful, if they cause the surrounding skin to become sore or inflamed, or if painful veins begin to interfere with your sleep.