Varicose Veins & Spider Veins: Causes & Treatment
Varicose veins are spidery, swollen veins that bump out from beneath the skin. They are usually red or blue and typically appear on the legs, but can also be found in other parts of the body. Smaller varicose veins are called spider veins.
Having varicose veins is common, and women develop them more often than men. They are usually harmless, but in some people, they can lead to serious problems, such as leg swelling and pain, blood clots and skin changes, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Causes
In healthy veins, blood normally flows from the periphery of the body to the central venous system and up to heart, from where it gets pumped to the lungs to be reoxygenated.
Veins have valves that keep the blood moving in one direction. "When a vein is diseased or gets enlarged, the valve cuffs don’t work any more," Kabnick told Live Science. Blood starts to back up, and the result is a varicose vein — "a dilated or enlarged vein that looks ropey, with blood that is flowing in the opposite direction as blood should flow," he said.
The venous systems has superficial veins, which are close to the skin and have many branches, and deep veins, which are closer to the bones and connect to veins leading to the heart. Varicose veins most often form along superficial veins, where they are usually not harmful to a person's health, Kabnick said. But in rare cases, varicose veins can develop into more serious problems that require intervention, he added.
The NIH lists these factors that affect the risk of developing varicose veins:
- older age
- being female
- congenital valve defects
- obesity
- pregnancy
- history of blood clots in the legs
- standing or sitting for long periods
- family history of varicose veins
Hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause, as well as birth control or hormone replacement, can also increase the risk.
Symptoms
Symptoms of varicose veins include feelings of fullness, heaviness or aching in the legs, visibly swollen veins, mild swelling of the ankles or feet, pain, itching, or fatigue, Kabnick said. Complications of the condition can include discoloration of skin, inflammation under the skin, thinning of the skin or breakdown/ulceration of the skin, he said. In rare cases, blood clots can form. If they form in deep veins, they can break off and travel to the lungs, which is much more dangerous, Kabnick said.
Treatment
According to the NIH, doctors may recommend the following self-care measures for managing varicose veins:
- wearing compression stockings to reduce swelling
- avoiding sitting or standing for long periods
- raising your legs above your heart for 15 minutes three to four times per day
- treating any open sores or infections
- losing weight if you're overweight
- getting more exercise (such as walking or swimming)
- moisturizing dry or cracked skin (but consult a doctor first)
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