Frequently Asked Questions
Vein Disease & Varicose Veins
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins occur when the valves inside the veins do not function properly, allowing blood to flow backwards and pool within the vein. This is known as venous reflux.
Risk factors may include family history, pregnancy, ageing, prolonged standing, obesity and previous vein problems
Why do I have varicose veins if nobody in my family has them?
While family history is a significant risk factor for varicose veins, it is not the only cause. Factors such as pregnancy, ageing, prolonged standing, obesity and previous vein problems can also contribute to the development of varicose veins.
Many patients with varicose veins do not recall a clear family history of the condition
Are varicose veins dangerous?
Many varicose veins are not dangerous, but they can cause symptoms such as aching, heaviness, swelling, itching and discomfort.
In some cases, untreated vein disease may contribute to skin changes, inflammation, bleeding, ulceration or blood clots. A consultation and ultrasound assessment can help determine the severity of the condition.
Will my varicose veins get worse if left untreated?
Varicose veins are often a progressive condition. While some people experience minimal change over time, others may develop worsening symptoms, larger veins, leg swelling or skin changes.
Early assessment may help identify the underlying cause and discuss management options before complications develop.
Can varicose veins come back after treatment?
Modern vein treatments have high success rates, however no treatment can guarantee that varicose veins will never recur.
New veins can develop over time and some patients may require additional treatment in the future. Follow-up care and ongoing management may help optimise long-term outcomes.
What is chronic venous insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), also known as chronic venous disease (CVD), occurs when the veins in the legs are unable to efficiently return blood back towards the heart.
This is commonly caused by faulty vein valves resulting in venous reflux. Symptoms may include aching, heaviness, swelling, skin changes and varicose veins.
What is venous reflux?
Venous reflux occurs when the valves within a vein do not close properly, allowing blood to flow backwards and pool within the vein.
Venous reflux is a common cause of varicose veins, leg swelling and chronic venous insufficiency and is typically diagnosed using ultrasound.
What is the difference between varicose veins and spider veins?
Varicose veins are larger veins beneath the skin that may appear raised, bulging or twisted. They can cause symptoms such as aching, heaviness, swelling and discomfort.
Spider veins are smaller red, blue or purple veins located closer to the surface of the skin. They are often a cosmetic concern but can sometimes be associated with underlying venous disease.
Ultrasound & Assessment
Do I need an ultrasound?
Generally, yes.
An ultrasound assessment is an important part of evaluating vein conditions.
For larger varicose veins, leg swelling, or suspected venous insufficiency, an ultrasound examination is often essential to identify the underlying cause and determine the most appropriate treatment.
For spider veins, there can sometimes be underlying feeding veins contributing to their development. Identifying and treating these underlying veins where appropriate may improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of recurrence.
For this reason, Better Veins Clinic often recommends an ultrasound assessment even for patients seeking treatment for spider veins. Dr Nicholas Teo will discuss whether an ultrasound is appropriate based on your symptoms, examination findings and treatment goals.
Do I need an ultrasound for spider veins?
Often, yes.
While spider veins are visible on the surface of the skin, there can sometimes be underlying feeding veins contributing to their development. These veins are not always visible during a clinical examination.
Identifying and treating underlying feeding veins where appropriate may improve treatment outcomes and help reduce the risk of recurrence.
For this reason, Better Veins Clinic often recommends an ultrasound assessment for patients seeking treatment for spider veins.
Can you explain the role of ultrasound in your assessments?
Ultrasound is an important tool used to assess many vein and leg swelling conditions.
Unlike an X-ray or CT scan, ultrasound allows us to examine blood flow within the veins in real time and identify underlying problems that may not be visible on the surface. This can help
determine the cause of symptoms such as varicose veins, leg swelling, aching, heaviness or recurrent spider veins.
For patients with varicose veins, ultrasound is often essential for identifying the underlying source of venous reflux and guiding treatment decisions.
For patients with spider veins, ultrasound may help identify underlying feeding veins that can influence treatment outcomes and recurrence.
Ultrasound may also assist in the assessment of certain causes of leg swelling, including venous disease and lymphatic conditions.
Dr Nicholas Teo will discuss whether an ultrasound assessment is recommended based on your symptoms, examination findings and treatment goals.
Why can't you tell everything from looking at my veins?
Visible veins do not always reflect what is happening beneath the surface.
Many patients with relatively minor visible veins may have significant underlying venous reflux, while others with prominent veins may have different underlying causes for their symptoms.
Ultrasound allows us to assess the veins beneath the skin, evaluate blood flow and identify underlying problems that cannot be determined by visual inspection alone.
Is ultrasound painful?
No.
Ultrasound is a non-invasive examination that does not involve needles, injections or radiation. Most patients find the examination comfortable, although gentle pressure from the ultrasound probe may occasionally cause mild temporary discomfort over sensitive areas.
Will I have my ultrasound on the same day as my consultation?
In many cases, yes.
Where appropriate, an ultrasound assessment may be performed during your consultation, allowing Dr Nicholas Teo to review the findings and discuss management options during the same visit.
In some circumstances, a separate ultrasound appointment may be recommended depending on the complexity of the assessment required.
Who performs the ultrasound?
Ultrasound examinations may be performed by Dr Nicholas Teo or by an appropriately qualified sonographer, depending on the nature of the assessment and clinic location.
All ultrasound findings are reviewed in conjunction with your clinical history, examination findings and treatment goals to help guide management recommendations.