How to treat varicose veins and venous insufficiency?


The varices of the legs are dilated veins that arise due to the disease of the venous vasculature, and that can be seen through the skin. Contrary to popular belief, varices of the legs are not just an aesthetic problem. The presence of the varicose vein indicates a diseased vein, often being the first sign of chronic venous insufficiency.

In order for us to understand the cause of varicose veins and their potential complications, we need to understand how veins work.

The veins are responsible for returning the blood to the heart, these work against gravity. In order to perform this function the veins of our legs have valves that are mechanisms that function as gates, preventing the blood from returning to the feet. In this way, blood always follows in a single direction.

When these valves are made, the blood that should go up begins to return down and to accumulate with the new blood that is rising. It is not difficult to know the reason for the dilatation of the veins. This is the basic mechanism of varicose veins, diseased veins that become dilated and twisted because of inability to drain blood in the direction of the heart.


What are the risk factors for developing varicose veins?

1. Family History of Varices and Venous Insufficiency
2. Predisposition to the female sex
3. Age
4. Obesity
5. Smoking
6. Lack of physical activity
7. Trauma to the legs
8. Standing for long periods of time
9. Contraceptive Drugs


What is the symptomatology of venous insufficiency and varicose veins?

Varicose veins are normally dilated and cause no major symptoms, except aesthetic discomfort. They always appear in the most superficial veins, so they are so apparent. When large, varices may bleed after trauma or small thrombi, a condition called thrombophlebitis.

Varicose veins, when numerous, may be one of the manifestations of so-called chronic venous insufficiency. When several veins become insufficient and varicose, the blood begins to be retained in the lower limbs, causing discomfort, feeling of heaviness, cramps, local pain, swelling, darkening of the skin and in advanced cases, the appearance of ulcers and infections of skin.



How to treat varicose veins and venous insufficiency?

The main thing is to make changes in lifestyle, you will be advised to perform certain specific exercises and special measures to improve the venous return. In addition there is the therapy with medicated compression stockings ideally prescribed by a specialist doctor.


There are also drugs that can help and improve the symptomatology. Depending on the case, a specialized ultrasonographic study will be performed to evaluate the status of the venous system and the degree of insufficiency.


Surgical treatment may be recommended on certain occasions, such as the following:

Intravenous radiofrequency: indicated in varices of greater caliber + insufficiency of the superficial venous system (saphenous vein). A small catheter is inserted into the diseased vein by applying controlled energy to close it.

Surgery for varicose veins (Excision of varicose packs): involves the surgical removal of the varicose vein with small incisions and is usually accompanied by ablation treatment by radiofrequency.




Regardless of the technique, this does not bring any problems to the legs, since the treated vein was no longer working well. The flow of blood is automatically diverted to other collateral and deep veins. A varicose vein is not needed.


Treated varicose veins do not appear again. What may occur is the emergence of new varicose veins. So it is very important to seek advice on which treatment is best for you.