Veins are an essential part of our bodily systems. They carry the blood to our hearts and other parts of the body, keeping us alive. Many don’t think anything can go wrong with the veins. Unfortunately, that’s where people make a mistake.

If you work a job that requires a lot of standing, you might’ve noticed that your legs hurt more than you think they should. Sure, jobs that require standing take a toll on the legs, but that’s not the only thing causing you pain. When you take a look at what’s hurting, you may notice engorged veins that seem to protrude from the skin or even a network of smaller veins on your legs. Those are varicose and spider veins – the topic of this blog.

So, let’s take a look at what these veins actually are, what their causes and symptoms are, and how to treat them. Read on.

What are Spider and Varicose Veins?

The first thing we have to look into is the spider and varicose vein basics – what are they really? 

When it comes to spider veins, think of them as harmless red, purple, and blue twisted blood vessels. The only thing that may bother you about them is their obvious appearance. In this case, the smallest blood clots are affected – the capillaries. You can usually find these veins on the legs and face.

On the other hand, varicose veins are a much bigger problem. These are large, swollen, and twisted blood vessels that can cause a lot of trouble. Varicose veins can appear anywhere on the body but usually form on the legs. These are the veins you can find seemingly protruding from the skin. But the reason they’re so visible is that they’re raised.

An interesting fact about these veins is that they’re more likely to develop in women than in men. Plus, the chances of acquiring them increase with age.

Causes & Symptoms

But what causes these veins to become so irritated and visible? That’s a great question, and the answer lies in our list of causes. Spider and varicose veins usually share the causes, so our list includes:

• Occupations that require standing
• Heredity
• Obesity
• Hormonal changes in pregnancy, puberty, or menopause
• Birth control pills
• Postmenopausal hormones
• Trauma

Yes, being a teacher, nurse, or even a factory worker is one of the main varicose veins causes. On the other hand, using birth control pills can be one of your spider veins causes. We understand that you often can’t choose where you work or the situations you’re in, but the good thing is that there are treatments for these veins. We’ll discuss them later on, but knowing causes can give you peace of mind and is a great base for understanding your varicose or spider veins.

Symptoms

The good thing about spider veins symptoms is that they’re almost non-existent. They usually don’t cause any pain, so their appearance is the only thing you should worry about. And if you were wondering: “Are spider veins dangerous?” – their asymptomatic nature pretty much answers the question.

Varicose veins symptoms are a whole different story, though. Depending on the severity of your case, these veins can cause:

• Pain (aching, throbbing, etc.)
• Tiredness
• Burning, tingling, or itching sensations
• Feelings of heaviness in the legs

And that’s not all because these symptoms can get progressively worse during pregnancy or a woman’s menstrual cycle. Also, varicose veins can start thrombophlebitis, a condition featuring a painful blood clot and vein inflammation.

Spider & Varicose Veins Treatments

Luckily, Ottawa vein clinics offer a solution to your vein problems. In fact, all you need to do is visit a vein specialist – also called a phlebologist – and they’ll tell you all about the available treatment options. If you’d rather know about the possible treatments now, here’s the list with explanations:

• Compression therapy – We’re sure you’ve heard of compression socks before, and they really do help. These socks improve circulation and relieve some of your symptoms, helping you function better. How to choose and use compression socks? That’s what your professionally certified fitter will tell you, as it can depend on the case.

• Sclerotherapy – This is a good option whether you’re looking for varicose or spider veins treatment. Sclerotherapy is a non-invasive injection therapy that causes veins to spasm, shut off, and eventually fade or disappear. It’s almost pain-free too!
• Surgery – If you’re wondering: “Do I need surgery for varicose veins?” we’re happy to tell you that surgery is not necessary for every patients suffering a vein problem. This treatment can include vein ligation or stripping. Other surgical treatments involve such small incisions that you don’t even need stitches, and recovery lasts approximately 1-2 weeks in all cases.

Of course, lifestyle changes are another great spider and varicose veins treatment you can try yourself. It involves:

• Keeping your legs elevated while sitting or resting
• Not crossing your legs or ankles
• Exercising your leg muscles
• Not wearing high heels, but lower heels are recommended because they tone calf muscles

Spider & Varicose Veins Don’t Have to be a Problem!

Whether you opt for sclerotherapy for varicose and spider vein treatment or anything else –  veins don’t have to be  a problem. All you should do is find a reputable Ottawa vein centre and let them take care of you.

In fact, we’ll do you a favour and cut your search short because we know you’ll be safe in our hands. We have a team of highly trained professionals, with our incredible Dr. S in the lead. Not only will they assess your situation, but they’ll come up with the best treatment plan for your case.

So, if you landed here in your search for “compression socks Ottawa,” you’re in the right place! Schedule your consultation or appointment by giving us a ring at 613-737-5675 or filling out our website’s contact form. We’re ready for you to be happy and spider and varicose vein free! Are you?