Avoid the pain of lumpy veins

UGLY varicose veins will affect one in three of us – and they are a source of fear and confusion.

Surprisingly, half of sufferers show no obvious signs – and kids as young as 12 are getting treated.

Here, specialist Professor Mark Whiteley, of The Whiteley Clinic in London, busts the top myths and gives tips on how to treat them – and hold them off. WHAT ARE THEY? Varicose veins occur when valves in our leg veins stop working properly. It means the blood falls down the veins when standing up, rather than flowing upwards towards the heart.

In their simplest form, they are seen as bulging veins that pop out from legs. But up to half of sufferers will show no obvious signs, as they remain hidden under the skin. MAIN CAUSES It is a myth that only old and overweight people get them.

The truth is, 30 per cent of all adults will be affected. They run in the family and can strike at any time of life but do become more common the older you get.

That does not stop young people getting them, though.

I recently operated on a 12-year-old boy with severe varicose veins and have had many patients in their teens.

Up to 89 per cent of people who believe they are suffering from harmless thread veins on the surface of their skin are actually displaying signs of hidden varicose veins.

Many people will ignore them as they assume they are purely a cosmetic condition. They may seek simple removal of these thread or spider veins. But if the underlying hidden varicose veins have not been found and treated first, then thread or spider vein treatments are less likely to work.

This can result in permanent red stains in a few cases. GET RID OF THEM There are some cutting-edge techniques available for treating varicose veins quickly and effectively. We have come a long way since stripping – when the vein is pulled out with a wire.

Cutting-edge techniques we use at the Whiteley include – EVLA, endovenous laser ablation: This destroys the veins at the root of the problem using lasers, under local anaesthetic, as a walk in, walk out, procedure. Venaseal: This “superglue” treatment is a relatively new way of closing the main vein in the leg that causes varicose veins. Foam sclerotherapy: Involves injecting a solution to reduce and remove veins. Ultrasound is used to guide it to the right vein. It is a highly effective way to treat small varicose veins. Pelvic vein embolisation: Sorts out varicose veins in the pelvis. A needle is put into a vein and, under X-ray, a thin catheter tube is pushed into it. WHEN TO TAKE ACTION Many people feel self-conscious about baring their legs during summer, especially as half of varicose veins bulge out.

It is very common for patients to seek treatment when holidays are looming but this does not allow enough time to complete the treatment course. That is why January and February is the perfect time to start. HELP YOURSELF Lifestyle changes will not stop you developing them but there are things you can do to help keep them in check.

When you sit for long periods, the muscles in your legs that normally help pump blood are not used very much.

As a result, in patients with varicose veins or hidden varicose veins, blood falls backwards down the leg veins. The blood can then pool in the lower leg, increasing swelling and the risk of making veins even worse.

To keep your leg muscles happy, try not to sit in the same position for long periods and go for walks regularly.

Patients with newly diagnosed varicose veins are commonly instructed by GPS to wear support stockings to see if symptoms improve.

Although these stockings may relieve pain and swelling, as soon as you remove them, the veins will return, as they do nothing to sort the underlying problem.