“Varicose veins are not just a cosmetic concern — they are a vascular disease that can progress to serious complications if left untreated. Early expert care makes all the difference.”
Written by Dr Rahul Agarwal, Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon
CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad | Medically reviewed: April 2026
Table of Contents
Introduction 🩺
Varicose veins affect millions of people across India, yet many Hyderabad patients delay treatment until the condition causes pain, skin damage, or non-healing wounds. As a Consultant Vascular Surgeon practising at CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, I see patients daily who wish they had come in sooner. The good news: modern treatments are minimally invasive, highly effective, and performed as day procedures with rapid recovery.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about varicose veins — from understanding what they are and recognising early symptoms, to choosing the right treatment in Hyderabad.
If your legs ache, feel heavy, or you can see bulging veins, do not wait. Book a consultation with Dr Rahul Agarwal today.
🔵 What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are not simply bulging or dilated veins visible on the leg surface. As a vascular surgeon, I define varicose veins as any leg vein — even if not visibly enlarged — in which blood is flowing in the wrong direction (reflux). This reflux is caused by damaged or incompetent valves within the vein, allowing blood to pool instead of returning efficiently to the heart.
Learn more: Early Signs and Symptoms of Varicose Veins You Should Not Ignore
🦵 Symptoms of Varicose Veins
- Visible bulging, twisted, or rope-like veins on the legs
- Aching, heaviness, or tiredness in the legs — especially after standing
- Itching or burning sensation along a vein
- Swelling of the ankles and feet (oedema)
- Skin discolouration (brownish pigmentation) around the ankle
- Night cramps in the calf or thigh
- Restless leg sensation
Read: Early Signs and Symptoms of Varicose Veins You Should Not Ignore
⚠️ Causes and Risk Factors
- Family history — strongest risk factor
- Prolonged standing or sitting — common in teachers, IT professionals, surgeons
- Pregnancy — hormonal changes and increased venous pressure
- Age — valve function declines over time
- Obesity — increases venous pressure
- Previous DVT — damages vein valves
Read: What Causes Varicose Veins? Risk Factors Explained
🚨 When Should You Worry? Warning Signs
- Bleeding from a varicose vein
- Sudden painful hardening of a vein (superficial thrombophlebitis)
- Non-healing leg ulcer (venous ulcer)
- Progressive skin thickening or darkening
- Worsening leg swelling affecting mobility
Read: When Are Varicose Veins Dangerous? and Complications of Untreated Varicose Veins
🔬 Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis requires a detailed clinical examination followed by a Duplex Ultrasound scan — the gold standard investigation for varicose veins. This painless scan maps venous reflux and identifies the source of the problem, guiding precise treatment planning. No treatment should be planned without a Duplex scan.
💡 Modern Treatment Options
Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT)
A laser fibre seals the vein from within under local anaesthesia — walk-in, walk-out with rapid recovery. Read: Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins: Procedure, Benefits, Recovery
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Uses radiofrequency energy to close the vein with excellent long-term results. Read: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Varicose Veins Explained
Cyanoacrylate Glue Treatment
Medical-grade glue seals the vein without thermal energy — no tumescent anaesthesia needed, immediate return to activities.
Surgical Stripping (Limited Role)
Reserved for specific complex cases where endovenous techniques are not suitable.
🏆 Which Treatment Is Best?
The right option depends on your vein anatomy (Duplex scan findings), severity, and lifestyle. Read the comparison: Laser vs Glue vs Surgery: Best Treatment for Varicose Veins
💰 Cost of Treatment in Hyderabad
Cost varies by technique and extent of disease. Most procedures are covered under major health insurance policies. Read: Cost of Varicose Veins Treatment in India & Hyderabad
🏥 Recovery After Treatment
Most patients return to office work within 1–2 days after endovenous procedures. Full details: Recovery After Varicose Veins Treatment: Timeline & Tips
🛡️ Prevention Tips
- Maintain healthy weight; exercise regularly
- Elevate legs when resting
- Avoid prolonged standing or sitting
- Wear graduated compression stockings if at high risk
Full guide: How to Prevent Varicose Veins
🏅 Why Choose a Vascular Surgeon?
- Duplex ultrasound performed and interpreted by the treating surgeon
- Personalised treatment planning based on your anatomy
- Comprehensive safety — recognition of complications non-vascular specialists may miss
- Multidisciplinary team at CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills — dermatologists, wound care specialists, cardiologists
❓ Frequently Asked Questions 🙋🏻♂️
Are varicose veins dangerous?
They can be. Untreated varicose veins can progress to skin damage, bleeding, superficial clots (thrombophlebitis), and venous leg ulcers.
Can varicose veins go away on their own?
No. They do not resolve without treatment. Symptoms may fluctuate but the underlying venous reflux typically worsens over time.
Is laser treatment painful?
Performed under local (tumescent) anaesthesia. Most patients experience only mild discomfort during the anaesthetic injections. The laser treatment itself is painless.
Will varicose veins come back after treatment?
The treated vein is permanently closed. New varicose veins can develop from other segments over time — regular follow-up allows early identification and treatment.
Is surgery the only option?
No. Over 90% of cases are now treated with minimally invasive endovenous techniques (laser, RFA, or glue) as day procedures under local anaesthesia.
🔑 Key Insight: The best time to treat varicose veins is before complications develop. Modern procedures are quick, safe, and effective — there is no reason to wait.
📖 Related Reading:
- Early Signs and Symptoms of Varicose Veins You Should Not Ignore
- What Causes Varicose Veins? Risk Factors Explained
- When Are Varicose Veins Dangerous? Warning Signs to Watch
- Laser Treatment for Varicose Veins: Procedure, Benefits, Recovery
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for Varicose Veins Explained
- Complications of Untreated Varicose Veins
- Laser vs Glue vs Surgery: Best Treatment for Varicose Veins
- Cost of Varicose Veins Treatment in India & Hyderabad
- Recovery After Varicose Veins Treatment: Timeline & Tips
- How to Prevent Varicose Veins
About the Author 👨🏻⚕️
Dr Rahul Agarwal is a Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon at CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, specializing in varicose veins, AV Fistula surgery, peripheral artery disease, dialysis access, and limb salvage.
Book a Consultation
Consult Dr Rahul Agarwal at CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad for an expert assessment and personalised varicose veins treatment plan.