Varicose veins defined as abnormally thick, full of twists and turns, or enlarged veins which are usually appear on the leg, but may occur elsewhere in the body. Spider veins are like varicose veins, but they're smaller. Spider veins are found closer to the skin and are often of red or blue color.

Besides cosmetic concern, varicose veins can cause discomfort or may be painful, especially when standing or walking. In some cases, varicose veins point to a higher risk of other disorders of the circulatory system.

Several risk factors to develop varicose veins are: pregnancy, age, obesity, menopause, high blood pressure.

Diagnosis is made after physical exam. To confirm a diagnosis of varicose veins, doctor may order a duplex ultrasound test. Magnetic resonance venography (MRV) can be used to look for blood clots in deep veins.

There are several varicose veins treatment options: for the spider veins and very small veins sclerotherapy may be useful. This technique consists of injection of solution that scars and closes those veins. After several weeks those veins disappear. Laser surgeries use tiny fiber inserted into a varicose vein through a catheter. The laser sends burst of light onto the vein, which makes the vein slowly fade and disappear. Surgical procedures to treat varicose veins are performed on an outpatient basis: vein stripping involves tying off of the upper end of a problem vein and then removing the vein; ambulatory phlebectomy procedure consist of making tiny punctures or incisions through which the varicose veins are removed.

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