What are Spider and Varicose Veins?

Most people know spider and varicose veins when they see them. However, they may not understand what the underlying problem is and the difference between them. Varicose are generally caused by veins that have swelled and twisted; they are also raised above the level of the skin surrounding it.

Spider veins are very similar in that they are somewhat swollen, twisted blood vessels. However, these are much smaller and do not generally cause all the problems varicose cause. For example, varicose veins can be very painful, whereas the this type does not generally cause this type of pain. Due to this and other health factors, many insurance companies will cover the cost of treating varicose veins but not the cost of treating the other.

How can Spider and Varicose Veins be Treated?

The treatment for both types is similar. There are several options to treat both. The easiest of the treatments available is to wear supportive stockings. Stockings can help alleviate any discomfort. However, they are not a cure for the appearance of the veins.

Sclerotherapy is one of the oldest treatments. Sclerotherapy is the process of using syringes to put saline into the veins to collapse them. Although this is one of the oldest therapies, it is still one of the best. It is also relatively inexpensive and works fairly quickly.

Very large varicose veins are generally treated with surgical techniques. This is because other techniques may be ineffective or may cause complications with larger veins. Most of these surgical techniques are not very invasive and generally do not require a hospital stay.

Varicose and spider veins can actually also be treated at home through lifestyle changes. Walking and weight loss can actually reduce the severity of them. Although this is not a quick solution, they can offer a certain amount of relief in a natural way. However, a doctor should be consulted before starting any new exercise program. Lifestyle changes may also not be the best choice for very large varicose veins that may be a danger to the patient's health.

Laser cosmetic surgery can also be used to treat spider veins. Some types of laser cosmetic plastic surgery are done on the skin's surface. These treatments are especially effective on spider veins. These treatments have a high monetary cosmetic surgery cost but are usually very effective and long lasting treatments.