Varicose veins can progress to more serious medical conditions including skin inflammation, skin ulcer, venous inflammation, and venous blood clots. What causes varicose veins?
– Heredity is the number one factor causing varicose veins. An inherited weakness of the vein wall and vein valves contribute enlargement of normal veins. – Pregnancy – The pressure from the baby on the pelvis during pregnancy obstructs returning blood flow from the leg veins. The chronic elevated pressure in the veins cause them to dilate and the valves to malfunction. – Occupations – Some jobs require long periods of standing or sitting, which causes blood to pool in the legs. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins, especially because of pregnancy and hormonal factors. In addition to family history and female gender, other aggravating factors predisposing to development of varicose veins include advancing age, obesity, trauma, intense weight-training exercise, and occupations involving prolonged sitting or standing.
