Varicose Veins - A Number of Causes

Varicose veins are a very common problem and one that is usually simply ignored.  While they are unattractive, they don't generally cause great discomfort or need to be removed through surgery or other means.  However, they are certainly not the most attractive addition to the body.  The more that we know about the causes of these veins, the more chances we have to avoid them and to pro-actively prevent them from occurring.

At this time, the reasons that varicose veins develop are not fully understood.  Varicose veins are a result of weak or damaged valves.  When there is a problem with the valves, blood can't travel up the veins as easily, and then the blood is more likely to pool in concentrated areas.

Causes of Varicose Veins

There are many theories about what causes this problem to occur.  While no one is completely sure why they occur, there are certainly some factors that lead some people to have this problem more than others.  Heredity factors are one of the greatest causes of varicose veins, and this cause is not one that you can control!  If you are born with weak vein valves, you'll obviously have a greater chance of having varicose veins.  If you do have this in the family, try to stay within a normal weight range, to exercise, to put your legs up whenever possible and not to stand for too many hours in a row.  These behaviors can't necessarily counter-act heredity factors, but they certainly can't hurt.

Hormones and Weight

Two factors that influence varicose veins are hormones and weight gain.  Many women find that they develop varicose veins at times when their hormone levels are higher.  These would be times such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.  They also find if they take estrogen, progesterone, or birth control pills then they also can develop varicose veins or spider veins.  Pregnancy, in particular, is a time when women are very susceptible to developing varicose veins.  They have more hormones in their bodies; they have more blood which causes veins to enlarge; and they have an enlarged uterus which puts pressure on the veins.  Usually, within three months of delivery these problems will improve. It is important to know, however, that varicose veins usually develop sooner and with more intensity in subsequent pregnancies.  Being overweight can also lead to more problems with varicose veins, as the weight puts more pressure on your veins and on the movement of blood in your body.

Age

Women certainly develop more varicose veins as they age.  While statistics have shown that one in four women, in general, has varicose veins, this number increases dramatically after the age of sixty.  Veins tend to weaken over time, and as a person ages, their veins are no longer as strong or as able to move the blood through the body easily.  At this point, your valves will weaken or become damaged more easily and can lead to more varicose veins.  There isn't much to do about getting older, of course!  However, it is important to continue to stay within a normal weight range, to exercise, to elevate your feet when possible, and to avoid standing for too long at a time.

Straining

One interesting theory about varicose veins is that strain in the body can cause varicose veins.  Strain comes from such things as chronic constipation, urinary retention because of a large prostate, prolonged coughing, or any other situation that would cause someone to strain a great deal.   This strain causes on increase in the forces that move to the leg veins and may create varicose veins.  These problems should be evaluated by a doctor, both because they may cause varicose veins, but also because they are unhealthy conditions that should be cared for immediately.

Leg Trauma

Most varicose veins occur in the legs.  The legs have the most pressure and the hardest time bringing blood back to the heart.  This is due to the force of gravity, the pressure from your body weight, and the job of carrying blood all the way from the bottom of the body to the top.  As a result, most varicose veins occur in this area.  One other factor that can, therefore, cause varicose veins is leg trauma or prior surgery.  If you've experienced problems with your legs in the past or have had some type of trauma, you may find that it has interrupted the normal blood flow channels in your legs or has damaged your valves.  This can certainly lead to an increase in varicose veins.

We all have certain things in our lives that we can control and prevent, and other factors that are not under our control.  The more that you know about the causes of varicose veins and the risk factors, the more that you can take the cautionary steps to prevent them.  However, we all know that heredity and other factors influence our body make-up.  Do the best that you can and try to maintain a healthy lifestyle - and healthy legs!