Varicose veins

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Varicose veins

Circulatory system

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Varicose veins

Alternative Names:

Varicosity; Varicosis

Treatment:

Treatment is usually conservative. The patient will be asked to avoid excess standing, elevate the legs when resting or sleeping, and to wear elastic support hose.

Treatment may be requested to improve the appearance. Surgery such as vein stripping and ligation (removal of the varicose vein), or sclerotherapy of veins (injecting with a solution that causes scarring, which closes the vein) may be recommended. Vein stripping is a very extensive procedure, and it is usually reserved for patients who are experiencing a lot of pain or who have skin ulcers.

Expectations (prognosis):

Varicose veins tend to worsen over time. Discomfort and progression may be lessened with self care.

Complications:

Phlebitis (chronic inflammation of the vein)
Formation of leg ulcers
Rupture of a varicose vein

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if varicose veins are painful, or if they worsen or do not improve with self-treatment, such as keeping legs elevated or avoiding excessive standing.

Also call if complications occur, including a sudden increase in pain or swelling, fever, redness of the leg, or the development of leg ulcers.

Review Date: 2/9/2005
Reviewed By: Thomas A. Owens, M.D., Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.