How common are varicose veins?
- 80 million Americans suffer from some form of vein disorder.
- 40% of women and 25% of men suffer from varicose veins.
- Women develop vein problems earlier due to pregnancy.
- Later in life, men and women are equally represented.
- 20% of the population develop vein problems by age 20.
- 50% of the population develop vein problems by age 80.
- 25% of people with spider veins (surface veins) also have saphenous vein disease which can lead to varicose veins.
- Each year over 1 million people undergo surgery for vein removal.
What causes varicose veins?
Contractions of your ankle and calf muscles help to pump blood back up to your heart. Your veins are equipped with tiny valves that open and close with each heartbeat to push the blood upward in a “stair-step” process on its return to the heart. At the same time, the valve action prevents the blood from flowing backward to the lower legs.
Vein problems begin when the tiny valves fail to close properly, allowing back-flow and pooling of blood in the leg veins, causing swelling and bulging. This happens to some degree with the normal aging process as tissue loses its elasticity, but is often accelerated by genetic factors, stress, smoking, hormones, and pregnancy. 
Valve failure usually begins in the saphenous vein, which collects blood coming from the surface veins and transports it into the deep veins on its path to the heart. Veins enlarged to more than 4mm in diameter are classified as varicose. As they swell, the veins stretch and may become twisted and visibly knotted. The pooling of blood in the veins also causes pain and fatigue in the legs and may result in swelling of the ankles.
For more anatomical illustrations, explanations, and a glossary of terms relating to vein disorders, click here.
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Symptoms associated with varicose veins include aching legs, burning and itching around the vein, swelling, and in some severe cases, ulceration and bleeding. Removing the veins that cause these symptoms increases the circulation in the leg and eliminates the symptoms.
Why do compression stockings help?
Graduated compression stockings apply maximum pressure at the ankles with gradually reducing degrees of compression up the length of the leg.
Compression reduces the pooling of blood in the veins by forcing the blood from the tiny surface veins back into the deep vein system of the legs so it can be carried back to the heart.
This is the first thing you can do to prevent vein problems from developing or worsening.
The right fit is important. Bayside Vein & Laser Center offers free fittings for compression stockings. Call 360-676-1225 for a free fitting appointment. No obligation. For your convenience, you may purchase stockings in our office at competitive pricing, or you may buy them from a health supply retailer.
How serious are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are not life-threatening, but they don’t go away on their own. The pain and embarrassment they cause often limit lifestyle choices more than people realize. Many vein sufferers have a difficult time getting through a day of work that involves walking or standing for a prolonged time. Some give up recreational activities they should be enjoying, making it harder to stay fit.
Without treatment, varicose veins are likely to increase and spread throughout the legs. Left unattended, varicose veins can develop into more serious conditions such as chronic edema (swelling), phlebitis (inflammation), leg ulcers, and thrombosis (blood clots). For more information on conditions that may result from untreated varicose veins, click here.
Choosing treatment
Technology has made major surgery unnecessary, even for bulging varicose veins, but optimum in-office treatments vary from patient to patient. It is important to select a physician who is board-certified in phlebology (treatment of vein disorders) with the expertise to provide the best treatment for your individual situation.