FAQ

The cause lies primarily in heredity. It is believed a genetic defect leads to valve failure and vein swelling.

Also, women develop varicose veins twice as often as men because of the presence of the female sex hormones which relax the thin muscle layer in the walls of the vein thus aggravating the problem. Additional risk factors include pregnancy and occupations that require you to be on your feet for long periods of time.

The difference between varicose and smaller spider veins is primarily in size.  It is basically the same disease affecting different size vessels.  Small veins that fail become spider veins. Larger veins that fail become varicose veins.  Some patients get only spider veins, some get only varicose veins, many get a combination of both.

The pregnant mother’s circulating blood volume surges immensely during pregnancy to supply the baby and placenta and this stresses veins already genetically predisposed to fail. The baby pressing on the large vein in the abdomen (inferior vena cava) actually has not been shown to contribute to the development of varicose veins.

Compression stocking can improve symptoms of pain and swelling. Patients with prior leg ulcers reduce their risk of recurrent ulcers by wearing graduated medical compression stockings. Hose will not, however, prevent the development or progression of varicose or spider veins.

No. However, horse chestnut seed extract can help some people’s symptoms of pain and swelling according to some small European studies. Aescin is the active ingredient and must be given in 50 mg doses twice a day for a month to see if it will help. This is found in the over the counter medication Venastat. Discontinue it if it gives stomach symptoms. Another over the counter supplement which may be tried is DiosVein whose active ingredient is diosmin and hesperidin. If you have other health issues or take prescription medicine don’t start it before asking Dr. Cook or your primary care physician.

A family history of vein disease, being a woman, pregnancy, obesity, being tall, occupations where a great deal of time is spent on your feet such as teachers, nurses, cashiers and waitresses all raise your risk.

Perhaps 15% of patients have no symptoms other than appearance. The great majority of patients, however, have symptoms that may include aching, throbbing, restlessness, cramps, heaviness, swelling, itching, and burning though the extent of symptoms varies from patient to patient.

Symptoms of vein disease may worsen as the day progresses towards evening, the longer you are on your feet, and around the menstrual cycle. Symptoms may be helped by elevation, compression stockings (even Leggs and Hanes can soothe) or taking analgesics like Tylenol or Advil. Vein disease does not usually cause joint pain but rather tends to be more diffuse. Often, symptoms of vein disease creep up so gradually as more valves fail that patients assume symptoms are from just “getting older” but are pleased when they remit with treatment.