How do venous diseases develop?
A large and branched system of veins transports our blood through the body. These veins are divided into arteries and veins. The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood through the arteries to the organs and supplies the cells with oxygen. The veins in turn return the deoxygenated blood to the heart. Most of this return transport is carried out by the deep leg veins - they are located within the muscles and are not visible. The rest flows back through the superficial veins.
A great system - unfortunately it only works without problems in ten percent of Germans. Symptoms: swollen veins and heavy legs. One in five women and one in six men in Germany are affected by chronic venous disease.
Questions about vein health
Are spider veins actually a cause for concern?
In principle, they are harmless, but they can indicate incipient vein problems. This is because they have the same causes as varicose veins: weak connective tissue. The walls of the veins wear out, the blood is no longer transported back properly, sinks into these small skin veins and becomes visible as spider veins. They can therefore also be a warning sign that a doctor should examine.
Do I always have to have varicose veins operated on?
Even if they do not cause any symptoms, varicose veins should be treated, especially as the methods are becoming increasingly gentle. This is because they do not disappear on their own, but on the contrary tend to get worse. If left untreated
they can lead to inflammation, which in turn can cause a blood clot. This can lead to a deep vein thrombosis in the leg with the risk of pulmonary embolism.
I often have pain in the back of my thigh ...
This could be harmless nerve pain, but it could also be an indication of a life-threatening thrombosis, especially if the leg becomes hot. You should see a phlebologist immediately.
Are visibly tortuous veins dangerous?
Not dangerously, but they should also be treated, especially if they can be felt above the skin. This is because they usually develop into varicose veins, which then usually require surgery. A doctor should clarify this.