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Varicose veins: questions to ask your doctor

Last published:Jun 02, 2023

If you've been diagnosed with varicose veins, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more. Here are some questions that you might want to ask.

  • Which veins in my legs are causing the problem? Where are they?

  • Will my varicose veins get worse?

  • What might have caused my varicose veins?

  • Will my varicose veins cause medical problems? How likely is this?

  • Do I need to see a specialist?

  • What treatment choices do I have?

  • Will treatment make my varicose veins go away?

  • Will treatment ease my tired, aching legs?

  • What are the risks of treatment?

  • Will I need to take time off work?

  • Will my varicose veins come back after treatment? How likely is this? How soon might they come back?

  • Will I get other varicose veins?

The patient information from BMJ Best Practice is regularly updated. The most recent version of Best Practice can be found at bestpractice.bmj.com. This information is intended for use by health professionals. It is not a substitute for medical advice. It is strongly recommended that you independently verify any interpretation of this material and, if you have a medical problem, see your doctor.

Please see BMJ's full terms of use at: bmj.com/company/legal-information. BMJ does not make any representations, conditions, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that this material is accurate, complete, up-to-date or fit for any particular purposes.

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