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The Causes of Spider Veins and Effective Treatments for Varicose Veins

Introduction to Advanced Vein Center

Important Lifestyle factors in the development of varicose veins:

Genetics | Standing for long periods | Binding clothing | Chronic constipation
Birth control pills/estrogen replacement therapy | High-heeled shoes
Menstrual cycle | Weak leg muscles
Heat | Strenuous exercise

To understand why the different lifestyle factors make such an impact, it's important to have a basic understanding of how veins work. The main purpose of leg veins is to return blood up the legs to the heart. The blood is pumped up the legs by muscle contraction and breathing. So, when you walk or move, the venous blood moves. And when you stand still, so does the blood. The weight of all the blood in your legs is very heavy - so heavy, in fact, you would think it would drain down to your feet when you stand still. The veins prevent this from happening. Hundreds of small valves within the leg veins shut when you stand still. These valves keep the blood in place and stop it from running back down to your feet. When you start to walk again, the valves open up and the blood is pumped toward the heart.

Varicose Veins Result from Expanded Vein Walls and Damaged Valves

Although the exact cause of varicose veins is unknown, we do know that the walls of the veins can expand and valves can be damaged. This damage can happen when the blood is prevented from moving out of the legs as it should. Since the weight of the blood is so heavy, the valves are able to hold back the downward flow of blood for only a limited time. Then the vein wall gradually starts to expand. The valves no longer have a nice, tight fit, and blood starts to move down the leg. As more valves become damaged, more blood is allowed to pool in the vein, and it starts to become visible to the human eye. This is what we call a "varicose vein." When you have this type of vein you may also have symptoms of tiredness and "heaviness."

Heredity is the number one contributing factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from abnormal leg veins. Up to 50% of American women may be affected. Hormonal factors including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the use of birth control pills, estrogen, and progesterone affect the disease. It is very common for pregnant women to develop varicose veins during the first trimester. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume which in turn cause veins to enlarge. In addition, the enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Varicose veins due to pregnancy often improve within 3 months after delivery. However, with successive pregnancies, abnormal veins are more likely to remain. Other predisposing factors include aging, standing occupations, obesity and leg injury.

If you suffer from problems related to varicose and spider veins, you are not alone. It is estimated that more than 80 million Americans suffer from some form of venous disorder. While some people seek treatment for cosmetic improvement, many seek relief from pain. Up to 60% of the adult population will develop varicose veins and/or smaller visible veins called "spider" veins.

So, what are varicose veins? Varicose vein treatment article continued on the next page ...