You might have noticed that over time, your legs have been covered with little blue lines, and maybe you’ve even panicked because you feel as though it came out of nowhere. You may have even thrown your hands up in the air in frustration and asked, “What causes varicose veins?” It’s not a bad question to ask if only for the reasoning that says if you know what causes them, you can avoid getting them, right?
Well, it’s not quite that simple. First, it’s important to think about whether or not there is a danger in their appearance. The truth is that it is rare for varicose veins to pose a serious danger. However, no two human beings are alike, and these variations throw a proverbial wrench into things, so it’s important to maintain a conversation with your doctor about what course of action is best for you.
Regarding causes, medical experts agree that, for the most part, varicose veins can be caused by:
Age Leading to Vein Elasticity – When a blood vessel is compromised by time, it can lead to a vein being unable to maintain its shape. This, in turn, causes blood to actually pool in the veins and become varicose. While this can affect younger patients, it is a condition that is usually associated with an older individual.
Pregnancy and Circulation – The human body goes through a number of changes during pregnancy, and this includes how blood flows in the legs. However, the one advantage to having an onset of varicose veins during pregnancy is that they usually subside on their own without medical treatment over the course of a few months to one year after giving birth.
Not Staying Healthy – Your hear it on the news all the time about the onset of obesity in everyone from children to adults & how it leads to some major health issues. What’s more, the toll that it takes on your health can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight. As it turns, though, you also have varicose veins to look forward to if you carry excess weight.
Again, you may ask yourself, “What causes varicose veins?” As it turns out, there are a number of causes including (but not limited to) age, pregnancy, and obesity. It’s also important to know that women are more prone to get them, as are individuals that sit or stand for long periods of time. Family history is also a cause of which to be aware. In short, every patient is different, which means the causes and risk factors to be on the lookout for will vary from person to person. Finally, be aware that you can’t fully prevent varicose veins, but you can actively participate in helping reduce the risk of getting them, as well as explore treatment options that help reduce their appearance.