Varicose veins and spider veins
At Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, we specialize in cutting-edge treatments with advanced diagnostics for varicose veins. Our compassionate vascular specialist, Dr. Manish Taneja, is here to provide personalized care and tailor-made solutions just for you. Don’t let varicose veins hold you back any longer.
What are Varicose Veins?
Blood circulation to the legs involves two systems broadly. First is the arterial system taking blood to the legs from the heart carrying oxygenated blood. Second is the venous system taking deoxygenated blood from the legs to the heart. This venous system comprises two parts: superficial venous system under the skin and deep venous system next to the bones and the deep muscles.
Varicose veins is a condition that affects these superficial veins under the skin. Normal healthy veins have valves inside that help to maintain continuous blood flow to the heart. These valves can get damaged or diseased leading to venous reflux disease. Varicose veins develop as a result of venous reflux disease.
The Two Types of Varicose Veins
They are most commonly seen in the legs. There are two types of varicose veins seen commonly seen in practice.
- Swollen enlarged bulging veins under the skin
- Spider veins that look like a fine network of red or blue lines just under the skin.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
These are simply not a cosmetic issue. Varicose veins and venous reflux disease can lead to significant physical problems. These include heaviness, fatigue, aches and pains, and cramps in the legs. These can also lead to swollen legs. In more severe cases, these can cause skin changes such as dermatitis/ eczema and ulcers affecting the legs, besides causing recurrent infections.
Some patients with varicose veins present with acute pain, tenderness and redness overlying the veins that is called as thrombophlebitis (acute inflammation and clotting of the varicose veins).
Spider veins can cause itching and aching pain in the affected part that can be quite significant.
Causes and Symptoms of Spider Veins
Spider veins develop when the valves inside veins weaken or sustain damage. Once the valves become defective, blood may have difficulty flowing in the correct direction and may back up in the veins. This creates pressure in the veins, which is transferred to the small branches, causing them to weaken, expand and show through the skin. While it is not clear why this happens, some known causes include:
- Hormonal changes
- Connective tissue diseases
- Genetic syndromes
- Injury or trauma
Spider veins do not typically cause any symptoms. However, in rare cases, the condition may cause:
- Itching
- Burning
- Cramping
- Legs that feel tired
- Pain
Learn more about “Spider Veins: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment”. Although they might be a cosmetic concern, they can also lead to serious health issues.
Assessment of Varicose Veins
Clinical examination and ultrasound doppler scan are most important tools in assessment and deciding management of varicose veins. This takes about 15-20 minutes to do and is usually done in the clinic itself.
Treatment of Varicose Veins
There are various techniques available to treat varicose veins depending on clinical presentation. We offer specialized care for varicose veins treatments at Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore. These include:
- Conservative medical management including compression socks
- Laser endovenous treatment (EVLT)
- Radio-frequency endovenous ablation (RFA)
- Clarivein endovenous treatment
- VenaSeal endovenous closure system
- Microwave endovenous ablation
- Open surgery
- Venous avulsions
- Sclerotherapy
- Cryolaser and cryosclerotherapy
Prevention of Varicose Veins
Chances are you or someone you know may develop varicose veins or already have them. Knowing how to prevent them is essential. If you already have varicose veins, you may want to learn how to prevent them from getting worse. This will help you to avoid the discomfort, pain and complications associated with them. To keep your legs healthy, it is important to understand how varicose veins occur, whether they are preventable and the best treatment options.
If questions like “How can you stop getting varicose veins?” or “Can you fix varicose veins?” are going through your mind, read our “How to Prevent Varicose Veins: Best Practices to Follow” blog post where we’ve curated some of the best practices to follow, exercises to reduce varicose veins, slow the condition’s progression, and answers to important questions.
What are the Advantages of Minimally Invasive Treatments?
- No major surgery
- No or minimal visible scars
- Quick recovery
- Same day admission and discharge
- Clinic based treatments
Read More About Venous Diseases on Our Blog
To dive deeper into the types of venous diseases, head over to our clinic’s blog. Read our recommended venous diseases related blog posts to stay informed.
Varicose Veins Resources
Explore our varicose veins and spider veins resources for patients. Gain insight into the diagnosis and treatment of varicose and spider veins conditions, their underlying causes, symptoms, and complications. Connect with your vascular health.
Keep Varicose Veins and Spider Veins at Bay
If your legs feel sore persistently, achy when standing long periods, or maybe you notice blue or purple veins even bulging in the area, chances are these symptoms of varicose veins and spider veins could lead to other serious venous diseases such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), or Leg Swelling due to increased pressure forming larger blood clots over time. Varicose veins are fully treatable with minimally invasive procedures and treatments offering minimal downtime and quick recovery preventing further complications. Long term effects of untreated varicose veins can hinder your daily life and impact your health.
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore is here to diagnose and treat varicose veins smoothening patients’ experience to find relief and comfort. As a vascular and interventional radiology specialist based in Singapore, Dr. Manish Taneja looks after a spectrum of venous diseases, peripheral vascular malformations, and peripheral arterial disease. Dr. Manish Taneja also has extensive experience in performing all vascular interventions, non-vascular interventions and interventional oncology procedures.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various conditions and treatments such as venous diseases. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our vascular specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.