Why do I have Varicose Veins?

As one of the most-common conditions in the world, millions of people are affected by varicose veins. At their best, they are unsightly. They creep up on you and display themselves as blue or dark purple veins near the surface of your skin. They can even take on a bulging or knotted appearance, which makes many people feel self-conscious. Sometimes, they can hurt, throb, itch, or present with other uncomfortable symptoms as well. If you’ve got them, no doubt you want to know what’s causing them so you can stop them from spreading.

Varicose Veins are Swollen or Enlarged Veins
A series of muscle contractions causes blood to flow through veins. As the muscles tighten, valves within the veins open, and blood flows naturally in one direction. As the muscles relax, the valves within the veins close. If the walls of the veins are weak, or the valves don’t function properly, blood pools and builds up. The end result is what you probably see on your legs or feet- varicose veins. Once the vein has been stretched to the point where it’s bulging, it will not return to its original form.

You May Have No Control Over Your Risk-Level

There are many factors that influence your risk for this condition. Unfortunately, some of them are beyond your control.

• Genetics: Sometimes, people are genetically predisposed to having thin or weak veins.
• Gender: Women are more likely than men to have this condition. Scientists believe it’s because females tend to have higher levels of certain hormones, which relax the veins and cause the valves to malfunction.
• Age: As we get older, our skin loses its elasticity, and valves within veins are affected, too.
• Health Conditions: Certain conditions, like pregnancy, previous blood clots, and abnormal blood vessels, can increase your risk as well.

You Can Control Lifestyle Factors that Increase Your Risk
Certain things that are part of your daily routine can make a difference.

• Weight: If you’re overweight, your body has to work even harder to move the blood around. If this is a contributing factor for you, try to become more active and drop down to a healthier weight. You may see fewer of these blue and purple splotches pop up.
• Occupation: Jobs that require lengthy periods of standing are hard on the body, because the blood must continually fight gravity to get back to the heart. If you’re on your feet a lot, make time throughout the day to prop them up, so your body gets a break.
• Drinking and Smoking: Studies have shown that both genders have increased risk if they smoke, and women are more-likely to have the condition if they drink.

If You Can’t Stop Them, You Can Still Get Rid of Them

Varicose treatment Miami starts off conservatively. Small spots are generally treated with sclerotherapy, which essentially dissolves away the problem. Larger areas may require EVLA laser treatment or leg vein removal, which most patients are relieved to know is performed in a minimally-invasive manner nowadays, and recovery is swift. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to stop their appearance, but you can get back smooth, blemish-free aesthetics fairly quickly and easily with the help of an experienced professional.