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A 29-year-old male asked:

What is the definition or description of: varicose veins?

5 doctor answers13 doctors weighed in
Dr. Andrew Doe
Radiology - Interventional 22 years experience
Big vein: It comes from the latin "varicosus" whihc means a large vein. The terminology of varicose vein disease (venous insufficiency) is arbitrary and based on the size of the vein. It ranges from spider veins to varicosities. Regardless, the underlying cause is venous insufficiency. http://www.houstonvir.com/varicose-veins-houston/.
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Dr. Gabriel Goren
A Verified Doctor commented
A US doctor answered Learn more
Well, taking in account anatomic and physiologic criteria, spider and varicose veins can't be put under same umbrella, frequently done so to justify the need for basically a not needed ultrasound examination possibly followed with thermal ablation of the saphenous systems. This sequence of events triggered the "vein experts" revolution of the last decade plus!
Sep 20, 2013
Dr. John Landi
Phlebology 49 years experience
Bulging Veins.: Varicose veins are bulging grape-like appearing veins which are most commonly seen on the legs. These are due to leaking(refluxing) valves usually in the saphenous system. Some causes include hereditary, pregnancy, trauma and aging. The gold standard of treatment is to have a venous reflux ultrasound to both diagnose and form a treatment plan. You should see a vein specialist.
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Dr. Yan Katsnelson
Phlebology 23 years experience
Varicose Veins: Varicose veins is explained as abnormal enlargement of the veins in the thighs and the lower legs. This occurs due to the poor blood circulation caused by either obstruction or prolonged pressure on the veins and hence, resulting in malfunctioning of the valves in the veins.
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Dr. Gabriel Goren
A Verified Doctoranswered
60 years experience
Varicose Veins: Are dilated, elongated, winding, tortuous superficial leg veins. Upright position, meager tissular support, heredity, gender (female hormones/pregnancies) and life style may distend the vein triggering valvular incompetence and gravitational down flow (reflux) while the increased venous pressure will assure the progressive nature of the condition.
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Dr. Joel Gotvald
Vascular Surgery 27 years experience
Varicose veins: Varicose veins are abnormal dilated, engorged, swollen veins of the legs that are most commonly superficial, just below the surface of the skin. They are typically the results of abnormal vein function within the veins that leads to pressure build-up inside the veins that causes then to stretch, thin, and enlongate. The underlying disease that often leads to them is caused venous reflux disease.
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Last updated Mar 31, 2016
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