The cause of this condition is unknown. For many people, there are no symptoms and varicose veins are simply a cosmetic problem. In some cases, they cause pain and discomfort, or indicate an underlying circulatory problem. Treatment involves wearing compression stockings, exercise, or procedures to close or remove the veins.
Weak or damaged valves can cause varicose veins. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The veins return blood from the rest of the body to the heart. For blood to return to the heart, the veins in the legs must work against gravity.
Muscle contractions in the lower legs act like pumps, and the elastic walls of the veins help blood return to the heart. The tiny valves in the veins open when blood flows to the heart and then close to prevent blood from flowing backwards. If these valves are weak or damaged, blood can flow backwards and pool in the veins, causing the veins to stretch or twist. Spider veins refer to the enlargement of the skin's smallest and most superficial veins, Dr.
They usually only present a cosmetic challenge, rarely a medical problem. The support hose helps keep the veins glued to the body, said Dr. Wait, and it can prevent your veins from dilating progressively over time. They won't alter genetics or hormones, but they will certainly help with symptoms and may reduce the progression of varicose veins (swelling and dilation of the veins).
Varicose veins can form when blood pressure rises within the veins. This can happen because of pregnancy, constipation, a tumor, or being overweight and obese. You may also have a higher risk of developing varicose veins if you are older, sit or stand for long periods of time, lead an inactive lifestyle, or have a family history of varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis, a type of venous thromboembolism. Your doctor may recommend compression therapy as a treatment alone or after a procedure to remove or close varicose veins.
Studies show that obesity and lack of physical activity are more associated with a higher risk of varicose veins in women than in men. Compression stockings can also help heal leg ulcers or sores that are a complication of varicose veins. Occupations that require standing for a long time are associated with significantly higher rates of varicose veins. There are numerous reasons why varicose veins occur, some of which can be modified while others cannot be changed.
Most doctors now recommend procedures to correct the reflux problem that is causing varicose veins. To diagnose varicose veins, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms, family history, activity levels, and lifestyle. When varicose veins appear in the early stages of pregnancy, high levels of progesterone are thought to play a role. In addition, Western diets tend to be low in vitamin E, which increases the risk of blood clotting and changes in the walls of blood vessels that can cause varicose veins and spider veins.
Varicose veins are so common that the American Heart Association estimates that 23% of American adults suffer from this condition, which usually has more aesthetic than medical implications. The taller you are, the more work your body will have to do to get blood back to the heart from the lower part of the body, making you more susceptible to problems such as blood accumulation and reflux, which can cause varicose veins and spider veins. There is also a chance that new varicose veins may form even after treatment, or that they may need to be treated more than once. If you're pregnant, your doctor may recommend compression therapy and pain medications to ease the symptoms of varicose veins, such as pain or heaviness in your legs.
This health topic focuses on varicose veins in the legs, but sometimes varicose veins form in other parts of the body. However, men tend to develop varicose veins in advanced stages at a higher rate than women, and this is true even if age is taken into account. .
