What’s the difference between spider veins and varicose veins?
Varicose veins and spider veins are symptoms of the same disease – something physicians call venous insufficiency – which simply means pooling of blood in the legs. Venous insufficiency is one of the vascular diseases affecting the legs – like deep vein thrombosis.
So what is venous insufficiency?
Arteries carry blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. Veins return blood from the rest of the body to the heart often working against gravity to do so.
Leg veins are equipped with one way valves designed to prevent blood from flowing backwards in the vein. When those valves no longer function properly blood can flow backwards – or reflux – and pool in the legs.
You may hear venous insufficiency described as venous reflux disease by your physician. Both terms refer to the same thing and it is this disease which is the cause of both spider veins and varicose veins.
As a result of weakened vein valves blood pools in the legs resulting in visible surface veins. In the case of varicose veins these surface veins become distended and prominent. Whilst spider veins show as fine spidery or tree like vein structures beneath the surface of the skin – varicose veins bulge outwards and can be felt as well as seen.
Varicose veins are a much more serious medical condition than spider veins.
The swollen vessels can protrude several millimeters beyond the skin surface and can become knotted and tangled.
Varicose veins are often accompanied by pain, heaviness, throbbing, burning sensations, muscle cramps and fatigue.
Spider veins – whilst visually upsetting if you have them – are unlikely to cause you physical distress. Varicose veins at their worst can develop into leg ulcers, blood clots and other health endangering conditions.
Another main difference between spider veins and varicose veins is the insurance classification. Because varicose veins are considered a serious medical condition treatment is covered by Medicare and health insurance.
On the other hand – spider veins are seen as a cosmetic problem and not funded by insurance.
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Filed under Varicose Veins
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