What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are superficial veins that particularly protrude and twist and become tortuous. It should actually be called “Krummader” (crooked vein), which is also the origin of the word “Krampfader” (varicose vein). Some people think it has to do with “leg cramps”, but this is only sometimes the case if the electrolyte metabolism is disturbed by long-standing venous congestion or for other reasons. Medical terms for varicose veins are “varice” or “varices”, and the presence of varices is called “varicosis”.
Varicose veins are diseased veins, whether large or small: The walls of the veins are diseased due to structural and biochemical changes; the blood flow in the varicose vein is abnormal – it temporarily or constantly flows in the wrong direction; and the progression is unhealthy, because without prudent measures, the condition will
slowly but quite surely over years and decades worsen. Every large varicose vein started small.
Medical professionals distinguish between “truncal varicosis”, which are varicose veins originating from the large collecting veins (Vena saphena magna or – parva), “branch varicosis”, which originate from side branches of the collecting veins, “reticular varices” (Lat. rete = net) for net-like and mostly smaller varicose veins, as well as “spider vein varicosis” for the finest vein dilatations at skin level of characteristic form. If varicose veins reappear in the same location after treatment, usually after surgical procedures, this is referred to as “recurrent varicosis”.
The good news is that varicose veins no longer have to be a problem today. Varicose veins can be removed very easily, safely, and with good long-term results at our clinic in Zurich. Just as they appeared, they can disappear again within a short time.