What causes varicose veins—and can they be prevented?
The valves in the venous system are designed to prevent blood from traveling backward down the legs. But when those valves fail, the blood backs up, and that pressure causes veins to expand and bulge. Because they don’t expand uniformly, the veins take on an irregular, bumpy shape. Family history plays a role, too. And, for anyone genetically prone to varicose veins, a job that requires standing for long periods of time can make things worse. (Many women also develop varicose veins during pregnancy.) What can you do to prevent them? Exercise regularly and stay at a healthy weight. Also, if you’re going to be on your feet for a while, wear support hose; they can put pressure on the veins to help minimize expansion. Q: Is it dangerous to get rid of varicose veins? A: We have a thousand more veins than we need, and a damaged vein is counterproductive—like a leaky pipe. Getting rid of it reroutes blood through the veins that are working. To explore that option, talk to a dermatologist or p
