Varicose veins (in the legs)

Varicose veins, also sometimes called varicosities, are pathologically enlarged superficial veins, often appearing as snake-like or nodular structures in the legs. They lie in or closely beneath the skin and are therefore usually clearly visible. Varicose veins often bulge out of the skin.

Small varicose veins include spider veins and reticular varicose veins; larger varicose veins involve the side branch veins (side branch varicose veins) or trunk veins (trunk varicose veins).

Varicose veins develop when the veins dilate because of a congenital weakness in the connective tissue and the valves can no longer close tightly and can thus no longer fulfil their valve function. Gravity forces the blood to flow in the wrong direction and it pools in the legs (stasis).

As a result, the pressure in the veins increases continuously until varicose veins develop.

About 60% of adults in Germany suffer from spider veins and reticular varicose veins, while 30% have larger varicose veins. Left untreated, the disease progresses, with discolouration and chronic inflammation of the skin. In the worst cases, thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis, and venous leg ulcers occur. Varicose veins are therefore a common disease that should be taken seriously.