Frequently Asked Questions about Varicose veins

They are the permanent swelling of the skin capillaries and appear as small, red or violet lines. They are not very aesthetic, but are usually painless.

Heavy legs, swelling, tiredness, itching, cramps, and also pain in the swollen or inflamed varicose veins.

Yes. They can rupture due to trauma or spontaneously due to fragility of the wall. However, the bleeding is usually not serious (although it can be abundant), and can be alleviated with compression.

It depends on the type and the severity, but, in general, they are not serious. However, they can be uncomfortable and/or cause local complications that may lead to a poor quality of life.

Different techniques are used depending on their location, size, dilation, and the state of the patient. The vascular surgeon will recommend the best treatment in each case.

No. They are normally operated on due to discomfort or due to the poor quality of life that they give. In some severe cases, the vascular surgeon may recommend surgery without having discomfort, in order to prevent future complications.

They don’t cure them, but are used to alleviate the symptoms of the disease and to try to slow down its progression.

They are not caused by standing or sitting, but those are factors that influence their development.

During pregnancy, it is particularly recommended to control weight, walk frequently, use elastic support stockings and to rest with the legs raised. In severe cases, treatment may be recommended to prevent the risk of varicophlebitis/venous thrombosis during labour and puerperium. Surgery is never indicated during pregnancy.