Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and twisted. This causes them to be visible under the skin. For some people, they can cause discomfort and pain, however they are generally not dangerous.

There are many things that can cause varicose veins to develop. This post explores some of the common causes and a few treatments that could be worth looking into.

What causes varicose veins?

Circulation issues are typically the main cause of varicose veins. If too much blood is travelling to the legs, it can cause veins to wear out and become dilated. There are few situations that can trigger this to happen:

Hormonal changes

Hormonal fluctuations can have a range of effects on the body – including causing high blood pressure and relaxation of vein walls. These hormonal changes can often affect women during pregnancy and menopause. Pregnancy can be a particularly common time to develop varicose veins due to the added pressure on the legs caused by carrying a baby combined with hormonal changes.

Obesity

Carrying extra weight puts greater pressure on the veins in the legs. This can lead to veins wearing out and can increase the risk of them turning into varicose veins. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise could greatly reduce the risk of developing varicose veins as a result.

Prolonged sitting

If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you may be more at risk of developing varicose veins. Not moving your legs for long periods causes blood to pool in the legs and leads to enlargement of veins because of this. People who work desk jobs can be susceptible to this. Make sure to take regular breaks from sitting to ward off varicose veins.

Prolonged standing

Standing for long periods can also lead to the development of varicose veins. Blood similarly pools in your legs if you’re not occasionally sitting down and putting your feet up. If you’re moving your legs while standing, you may be less susceptible to this condition – standing still in the same position poses the biggest risk. This is something that checkout workers need to be wary of.

Aging

As you get older, your veins may naturally start to weaken. Combined with lack of mobility, this can greatly increase the risk of varicose veins developing. This is something to be wary of as you get older.

How to treat varicose veins

Because varicose veins aren’t a major health issue, treatment is not always necessary. However, many people do not like the appearance of them or find that they cause them discomfort. In these cases, it is worth exploring some of the different types of varicose vein treatment.

Some of the different treatments include:

• Topical creams: Creams and gels containing ingredients like horse chestnut can be applied to the skin to reduce inflammation. This may help reduce the size of veins.
• Compression stockings: Wearing compression stockings can promote better blood flow to the legs and may reduce swelling.
• Sclerotherapy: This is a non-invasive procedure that involves injecting affected veins – causing them to collapse and fade away.
• Laser therapy: Laser treatment can also be used to heat and close off affected veins.
• Surgery: Surgery is typically only necessary in severe cases where there could be a risk of blood clots.

Conclusion

While hormonal changes and aging cannot be prevented, you can still reduce the risk of developing varicose veins by keeping your legs moving and maintaining a healthy weight. If you have already developed varicose veins, there are many treatments that you can explore with the help of a specialist.

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