Varicose veins

Varicose veins are widened, twisting superficial veins, most often on the calves and thighs. They develop when the valves in the veins, which are meant to direct blood towards the heart, no longer close properly. Blood then partly pools and the pressure in the vein rises.

Appearance is not the only thing that brings people to an examination. More often it is a feeling: heavy, tired legs towards evening, swelling around the ankle that leaves the mark of your sock in the evening, night-time cramps in the calves, itching above the ankle and restless legs before sleep.

Symptoms are usually worse after standing or sitting for a long time and in summer. Symptoms often settle after raising your legs or walking, which is typical of a venous cause.

What makes them more likely and what makes them worse

A family tendency is among the strongest risk factors. The risk also increases with older age, in women, after pregnancies, with increased body weight and in occupations in which you stand or sit without moving for most of the day.

Heat widens the veins, so symptoms are more pronounced in summer, in the sauna and after a hot bath. Long drives and flights without moving your legs have a similar effect.

For most people, symptoms are eased by movement, which has exactly the opposite effect on the veins to staying still. With every step, the calf muscles squeeze the deep veins and push the blood upwards, which is why walking eases symptoms for most people.

When not to wait for a booked appointment

In the case of sudden pain, swelling, redness and warmth in one leg, an examination the same day is essential because of the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

If this is accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain when breathing in or coughing up blood, call 112. These can be signs of a pulmonary embolism.

If a burst varicose vein is bleeding, lie down, raise your leg high above the level of your heart and press firmly on the spot with a clean cloth. The bleeding is often heavier than you would expect. If it does not stop, call 112.

A wound or ulcer above the ankle that does not heal within a few weeks needs an examination, not home care.

What the examination involves

The examination begins with a conversation about your symptoms and an inspection of your legs while you stand, because only then do the veins fill and show the true picture.

This is followed by an ultrasound examination of the veins, which assesses how the venous valves work, the direction of blood flow and the state of the deep veins. Only then is it possible to talk about the method of treatment.

Before the examination, do not apply any creams or self-tanning products to your legs, and bring the results of any previous vein examinations.

What the treatment options are

Compression treatment with medical elastic stockings is the basis for most people. The stockings do not remove existing veins, but they reduce swelling, heaviness in the legs and the progression of symptoms.

To remove the affected veins, sclerotherapy, endovenous techniques and conventional surgery are available. Which is right for you depends on the extent of the changes, the state of the deep veins and what bothers you most.

With varicose veins, the cosmetic and medical aspects do not always coincide. Fine spider veins are often purely a matter of appearance, while extensive varicose veins without visible lumps can be more significant medically.

Care at Medicinski center Ljubljana is self-pay; you do not need a referral. Appointments are booked with the clinic that runs the service.