Why ultrasound is useful before treatment
Visible veins may exist without significant symptoms, while heaviness, swelling, skin change, ulceration, or bleeding can indicate clinically important venous disease. When symptoms are present or treatment is being planned, duplex ultrasound can map reflux in the superficial and deep venous systems instead of assessing only the visible veins.
Symptoms worth checking
Heaviness, swelling, aching, ankle discoloration, eczema, skin hardening, bleeding, or ulcers should be assessed. Mapping is most useful when symptoms need explanation or when a clinician is planning treatment; it is not automatically required for every small visible vein.
What happens after your vein assessment?
Dr Ahmad Al Harbi provides vascular diagnostics, conservative care and sclerotherapy. Your symptoms, your vein anatomy and your preferences guide the plan. When indicated, duplex ultrasound helps identify whether and where reflux is present. The findings are considered alongside your symptoms and preferences when choosing the next step. Conservative care may include compression when appropriate; not every visible vein needs a procedure.
Sclerotherapy is available for selected small superficial veins after clinical assessment. Suitability is decided at the assessment; the cost depends on the number of sessions and the amount of injection material required, and the price is explained before treatment. Large bulging varicose veins often need duplex mapping first and may require a different plan.
Other procedures, such as endovenous treatment or surgery, are reviewed with a vascular surgeon in the hospital's Vascular Department when clinically indicated. Dr Ahmad does not perform surgery.
Symptoms that need urgent care
Bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure, sudden one-sided swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath should not be handled as a routine varicose-vein appointment. Seek urgent care and call 112 in Kuwait for an emergency.
Common Reasons to Book
Medical Sources
This editorial update uses primary medical guidelines and references. It is educational and does not replace clinical assessment.
- SVS/AVF/AVLS Clinical Practice Guidelines for Varicose Veins
- ESVS 2022 Guidelines on Chronic Venous Disease
Editorially updated: 2026-10-01