Causes of Varicose Veins

Varicose veins can draw unwanted attention by their swollen ropey appearance at the surface of the skin. Our healthy veins are supposed to return blood to the heart from other parts of the body, for it to be recirculated. If there is extra pressure on the veins or weakened valves, it is more difficult for the blood to flow upwards against gravity. Instead the blood backs up and the vein is clogged. The flow of blood will redirect itself to a healthy vein, though the blocked vein will become very unsightly. This is when varicose veins are created.

What Causes This Pressure?

There are many suggested contributing factors to the pressure around veins, leading to varicose veins. Here are a few things that could be contributing to your visible veins.

• Your age: As we age, out veins lose elasticity, causing them to stretch or slouch, like our skin. Our valves become weak, causing blood to move in the wrong direction, causing backup in the veins. When this blood gathers in our veins with nowhere to go, the vein enlarges and becomes visible and bulging through the surface of the skin.
• Hormones: As rumored, it is true that more women acquire varicose veins than men. Hormones are only one factor that contributes though with hormonal changes, pre-menstration, menopause, and birth control hormones all cause the relaxation of the vein walls.  The likelihood of obtaining these large veins increases after pregnancy because of the increased pressure on the abdominal region and the extra blood volume.
• Obesity or Extra Weight: Any extra pressure on your veins adds to a greater chance of getting varicose veins. Too much fat tissue around your organs or veins causes more pressure on the vessels in your legs. This increase in pressure dilates the veins, making it difficult for blood to see its way through.
• Lack of Movement: Staying in one position for long periods of time keeps your blood from flowing  as well as if you were moving around. Your muscles contract, acting as pumps, to help your veins push the blood through their path to the heart. When you are inactive the muscles do not assist, putting more pressure on the veins. Many individuals acquire spider veins when they have a job that requires them to stand or sit for long periods at a time.

Other factors that are known to contribute to varicose veins include a family history of these veins, smoking, too much alcohol, and poor diet.

Varicose veins can be removed through safe procedures in an office setting. If you have visible veins that you have considered having removed, contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Norman Chideckel for the treatment of varicose veins.