Veins are vascular structures which carry blood from different regions of the body towards heart. In legs there are two types of veins- deep veins and superficial veins. Deep veins are situated in between muscles of legs and superficial veins are situated just beneath the skin. When we walk, muscles will pump blood from deep veins towards heart. And blood from superficial veins flow towards deep veins due to pressure difference. This blood normally will not reflux from deep veins to superficial veins due to presence of one-way valves.
However , if someone is suffering from varicose veins, these valves get damaged and when we stand, blood flows retrograde from deep veins to superficial veins and from thigh towards ankle, instead to going towards heart. This causes increase in pressure and blood stagnation in superficial veins. Gradually this will cause dilatation of superficial veins which are seen as dilated tortuous veins. These enlarged veins are called VARICOSE VEINS.
There are several factors which can contribute to formation of varicose veins -
NON-MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS - which you can not do anything about -
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Age - Varicose veins is more common after 40 yrs of age. With age, valves in the veins can weaken and become less effective in preventing reflux of blood.
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Gender - Women are twice more prone to varicose veins than men. These is due to hormonal changes which occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.
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Pregnancy - During pregnancy due to hormonal changes veins valves may weaken. Also pregnancy increases blood volume and pressure, so it puts more load on veins. Pregnancy also increases intra-abdominal pressure- so blood in leg veins finds it more difficult to drain upwards towards heart, which leads to blood stasis in leg veins.
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Family history - If you have family history of varicose veins then you are also at risk of developing them.
MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS- which you can control it -
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Obesity - Excessive body weight puts extra pressure on veins. This causes increased strain on walls and valves of the veins. Gradually valves get damaged and start leaking leading to formation of varicose veins. Losing weight helps in prevention and treatment of varicose veins.
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Prolong standing or sitting - Both increases pressure on veins and restrict blood flow. These increases risk of developing varicose veins. If your job requires you to stand or sit for long periods, its important that you take breaks and move around to improve blood circulation in legs.
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Smoking - It damages blood vessels and hence increases risk of varicose veins. Quit smoking.
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Sedentary lifestyle - Lack of physical activity leads to poor circulation in leg veins, which can increase risk of varicose veins. Daily workout helps.
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Certain medications - like hormonal birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy affects wall of veins and increases blood clotting tendency, increasing risk of varicose veins. So if you are taking these medications, be careful and don’t forget to do physical activity daily.
Thus varicose veins develop due to leakage in valves, causing blood to flow back from deep to superficial veins. There are many modifiable risk-factors which increases risk of varicose veins and it is in our hands to prevent it.
For any more information contact Dev Hospital
