As discussed on the Dr Oz Show:
There is a difference between varicose and spider veins, according to Dr Mehmet C Oz. The doctor said this is one of the most common and treatable complaints heard from women.
“In fact, about half of you are living with it right now,” Oz said. “They are called spider veins.”
How They Form:
He called Marsha up to the stage to help with the demostration. There is a difference between spider and varicose. A graphic illustrated the point. Blood circulates through the veins in the leg. After a while they “engorge” and become bigger. The blood begins to rush back to the feet causing changes in the wall of the vein. As they get larger they become more “torturous”.
The smaller veins near the surface of the skin are called spider veins. The larger ones are called varicose veins. If the engorging happens to veins deep inside the legs then all of the veins in the legs become engorged. The varicose veins can actually stick out.
Cause of Spider and Varicose Veins:
He asked the audience if crossing the legs could cause these problems. Some hands went up, but he said for the most part it is a myth. Because of discomfort, most people will uncross their legs before damage is done. But if there are other problems that mask the pain, then it may be possible. The problem is usually caused by excess weight, the doctor said.
Saline Injections:
“When we treat them as physicians, we actually have to inject them,” Oz said. Doctors inject the veins with a saline solution to remove the color.
Vitamin K Creams:
Vitamin K creams do not work. “I can guarantee you, that if you are buying these creams, you are being taken,” Oz said. You may think they are working because of subtle changes in the skin, but they are not going to cure varicose veins.
Compression Stockings:
Compression stockings do work. Low pressure stockings help to prevent “varicose and spider veins from forming” (10 mm Hg or mercury). If you already have spider veins, the higher pressure stockings work better (20 – 30 mm Hg). They can also reduce the swelling of the feet.
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The procedure typically improves not only the cosmetic appearance but associated symptoms as well. A few sessions may be required to obtain maximum benefit. During sclerotherapy, the affected leg is elevated to drain blood, and the sclerosant is injected into the spider vein. The procedure normally takes 5 to 30 minutes, depending on how many spider veins are treated. This form of spider vein treatment may be painful, and the chemical (sclerosant) that is injected can cause a feeling of burning or cramping for a few minutes in the area where the shot was given. You may need repeated sessions and many injections per session depending on the extent of the spider veins and type of sclerosant used.