What causes varicose veins and spider veins?
The heart pumps blood filled with oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. Arteries carry blood from the heart towards the body parts. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart. The squeezing of leg muscles pumps blood back to the heart from the lower body. Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps. These valves prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it moves up the legs. If the one-way valves become weak, blood can leak back into the vein and collect there. This problem is called venous insufficiency or reflux. Pooled blood enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose. Spider veins can also be caused by the backup of blood. Hormone changes, inherited factors, and local trauma can also cause spider veins.
The heart pumps blood filled with oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. Arteries carry blood from the heart towards the body parts. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart. The squeezing of leg muscles pumps blood back to the heart from the lower body. Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps. These valves prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it moves up the legs. If the one-way valves become weak, blood can leak back into the vein and collect there. This problem is called venous insufficiency. Pooled blood enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose. Spider veins can also be caused by the backup of blood. Hormone changes, inherited factors, and exposure to the sun can also cause spider veins.
A number of factors predispose a person to varicose and spider veins. These include: • Heredity • Occupations that involve a lot of standing (These include nursing, hair styling, teaching, and working in a factory.) • Obesity • Hormonal influences during pregnancy • The use of birth control pills • Post-menopausal hormonal replacement • A history of blood clots • Conditions that cause increased intra-abdominal pressure including tumors, pregnancy, constipation, and externally worn garments like girdles Other reported causes include topical steroids, trauma or injury to the skin, previous venous surgery, and exposure to ultraviolet rays. Who is affected by varicose veins and spider veins? Varicose veins and spider veins develop more often in women than in men. They increase in frequency with age. An estimated 30 percent to 60 percent of adults have varicose veins or spider veins. What are the symptoms of varicose veins and spider veins? Many patients with varicose veins complain of pain
Pooled blood enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, spider veins can also be caused by the backup of blood. Hormone changes, inherited factors, and exposure to the sun can also cause spider veins. The heart pumps blood filled with oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. Arteries carry blood from the heart towards the body parts. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart. The squeezing of leg muscles pumps blood back to the heart from the lower body. Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps. These valves prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it moves up the legs. If the one-way valves become weak, blood can leak back into the vein and collect there. This problem is called venous insufficiency.
Heredity is the number one factor causing varicose veins and spider veins. An inherited weakness of the vein wall and valves (genetic) and circulating hormones that relax the smooth muscle of the vein wall are the most common causes. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins, especially because of pregnancy and hormonal factors. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume, which in turn causes veins to enlarge. The enlarged uterus can cause increased pressure on the veins. This is less important than the hormones, however, since vein problems often develop in the first trimester when the uterus is still quite small. Varicose veins due to pregnancy may improve within several months after delivery, but seldom go away completely. Other aggravating factors include occupations involving prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, trauma and intense weight-training exercise.
