Understanding Varicose and Spider Veins

Understanding Varicose and Spider Veins

The terms are often used interchangeably but Spider and Varicose Veins are actually different.

Spider veins refer to the small surface veins which are actually flooded capillaries. They tend to start small and spread in a spiderweb-like pattern across the surface of the skin on the legs.

Varicose veins are damaged veins deeper within the leg itself. Once damaged the veins begin to bulge and twist. This causes the blood in them to pool, the veins to twist and become more and more pronounced.

Spider veins are generally on their own, not painful. Varicose veins can cause pain. With either you may notice symptoms such as leg swelling (edema), itchiness, heaviness, tenderness, restless legs at night (RLS)(Restless Leg Syndrome), and they can put you at risk for blood clots (DVT)(Deep Vein Thrombosis) which can lead to heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism, as well as ulcerations on the leg which may not heal readily.

The best time to treat vein issues is as soon as you notice them. The sooner you get help from a professional Vein Specialist, the sooner you can restore your leg health and the better your overall outcome will be.

If you are in the Tampa, Florida area we would love to review your case. To get started simply click on the home page and click the button to request a vein consultation. We will look at your medical history, and your current state of health along with a number of other factors in order to get a complete picture of what is going on with your circulatory system. We can then make personalized recommendations to get you on track and on the road to great leg health.

Please visit www.westfloridaveincenter.com or call 727-712-3233 today to get started.