Top eight varicose vein risk factors

The term “varicose” is also named “varicocele” or” varicosities”. It is a condition in which some of the veins enlarge or swollen. A vein is twisted, and the pouch of skin is holding the testicles. It usually occurs in the legs. Varicose veins are caused by a buildup of blood due to malfunctioning valves in the veins, often feeling like a “bag of worms” when present. It’s like having a varicose vein in the testicle area. It is more than an aesthetic and cosmetic issue because, in this condition, the blood flow is impaired in the veins, becoming a risk factor.

Varicose also occurs in the other body parts. Some varicose veins appear around the rectum, and others in the small blood vessels. These conditions are the Hemorrhoidsexternal and telangiectasias external link or spider veins disorders, respectively. Varicoceles External links are enlarged blood vessels in the scrotum. 

 

Fortunately, most of the time, varicose veins will not hinder your activities or movements. The symptoms are more visible and worsen when sitting or standing. It becomes better when you’re lying down, raising your legs. You must consult a healthcare provider if you believe you have varicose veins. If you get medical treatment for varicose veins, ear treatment will significantly help. It will help this disease get worse complications like bleeding and ulcers. Ulcerexternal links are open wounds that take time or fail to heal but can develop complications like infection. Call your provider immediately if the varicose veins worsen or you experience bleeding or soreness.

 

Top Eight Risk Factors of Varicose Veins:

1. Genetics:

Genes are the most critical risk factors for many diseases, which means a family history is also involved in this disease. A person with weak vein walls or faulty valves is predisposed to varicose veins. The risk increases if parents had varicose veins before they contracted the gene from their child.

 

2. Age:

After getting older, the veins become impaired and relax, and the chance of varicose disease increases. The impairment causes deterioration, decreases blood flow back to the heart, and leads to blood stagnation, vein dilation, and varicosity. The chance rises steeply from forty years and is especially likely in persons beyond fifty.

 

3. Gender:

Women face this disease more than men because of the frequent changes in their hormones. The main two hormones, estrogen and progesterone, can cause vein walls to relax, thus contributing to the development of varicose veins. Taking any other hormone-related drugs, including birth control pills or other hormone therapies, is also a factor.

 

4. Pregnancy:

During pregnancy, a woman experiences a heavy workload. This load is due to increased blood pressure and volume resulting from the growth of the uterus and blood vessels, which causes pressure to build up in the veins. The hormone produced during pregnancy also relieves pressure in the blood walls of veins. Spider’s veins that occur during pregnancy clear after childbirth, but if a woman repeats pregnancies regularly, they become more fixed.

 

5. Obesity:

Being overweight comes with many diseases. Varicose vein disease also occurs due to obesity, especially within the lower extremities. The pressure worsens vein walls and valves through which blood flows, enhancing the probability of varicose veins because blood circulation becomes difficult.

 

6. Prolonged Sitting or Standing:

Circulation increases when a person stands or sits for a long time. Daily sitting or lying down for many hours puts pressure on veins in the legs, leading to risk factors for varicose veins due to fluid accumulation in the legs.

 

7. Smoking:

The intake of excess nicotine harms blood vessels and ends up causing this painful disease. In smokers, the disease is aggravated by such complications as venous insufficiency and blood clots, which incline to varicose veins.

 

8. Damaged veins:

When our veins suffer traumatic damage due to accidents or disease, they may not be as strong as they once were; they can enlarge and become varicose.

 

Symptoms and Causes:

What are the signs or signals of varicose veins?

The most common and obvious symptom of varicose veins is the swollen, thickened, blue, or purple lines on the skin’s surface. Varicose vein symptoms include:

 

• Bulging veins: These veins often appear as twisted, thickened ropes, which can be blue or purplish. They arise subcutaneously in the lower limb, ankle, and foot regions and can develop in clusters. This region may also have small red or blue lines (spider veins).
• Heavy legs: These include muscles that could feel tired, heavy, or sluggish, especially when in your legs and after you have exercised.
• Itching: The region around the said varicose vein may itch.
• Pain: During this time, your legs may be painful, or sore, particularly in the back of the knees. You may also experience muscle stiffness, also known as muscle cramps.
• Swelling: Your legs, ankles, and feet become swollen and painful.
• Skin discolorations and ulcers: Skin discoloration may develop if varicose veins are not treated. Multiple varicose veins can also precipitate venous ulcers (sores).

 

Where in the body are they most likely to take place?

Varicose veins are most commonly found in the lower half of the body, particularly the calf, ankle, and feet. They can also appear in the pelvic region and post-surgical parturient women, commonly known as pelvic congestion syndrome. Hemorrhoids that occur in the rectum are also scientifically classified as varicose veins.

 

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a condition that develops when the walls of your veins become thin. Since the blood pressure in your vein increases, your vein can dilate as the walls weaken. When your vein expands, the valves responsible for regulating blood flow in one direction in the veins fail to function efficiently. The slow-moving blood stagnates or piles up in your veins, thereby making your veins dilate, enlarge, and coil.

 

Vein walls and valves can become weak for several reasons, including:

• Normal aging.
• Standing for prolonged periods.
• Hormones.
• Excess weight.

 

Risks, Prevention, and Treatment Options:

Some things help your vascular system, such as regular exercise, fasting, and not smoking. You can also eat foods that are good for veins and help decrease inflammation, including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Besides, home treatment, including putting on compression stockings and increasing your leg height, will also support your veins. 

 

The medical treatment for varicose veins should follow the same vein symptoms guidelines. Patients should also get checkups from a specialist. A vein doctor diagnoses, evaluates, and reviews an individual with a diseased vein and recommends the right vein treatment plan for the patient. 

 

Vein treatments successfully correct varicose and spider veins, improve blood circulation, prevent dangerous complications, and improve the body’s appearance.