Varicose veins are not pretty and can interfere with daily activities. Varicose veins don’t typically appear right away. Instead, they form over time, and their visible effects might not be noticed immediately. However, signs of venous issues may be on the horizon. To better understand varicose veins, it’s essential to understand how the vascular system works.
The heart is the center of the cardiovascular system. The viral organ is responsible for pumping blood to the lungs to get oxygen. It sends oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body through the larger vessels. The veins, smaller blood vessels, carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The veins must work against gravity to push the blood from the lower extremities towards the heart.
When your venous system works correctly, small valves within the veins usher the blood to where it needs to go. When these valves become weak or damaged, blood cannot make its way back toward the heart. The flow gets stopped, and the result is blood beginning to pool in the veins. When veins are healthy, they are unnoticeable beneath the skin. When they malfunction, they become varicose veins or spider veins. Varicose veins present as enlarged, twisted and knotted in appearance. They are most noticeable in the legs. They visibly bulge at the skin’s surface and often cause skin redness or discoloration at the site of the affected vein. Varicose veins are considered unsightly and are often simply a cosmetic issue. However, varicose veins can become painful if they are severe and left untreated. This can lead to other complications such as ulcers, bleeding, and blood clots.
Varicose veins can make people feel self-conscious and cause pain and discomfort. Common varicose vein symptoms include the following:
Certain people are at increased risk for developing varicose veins. For example, advanced age causes vein valves to weaken, allowing small amounts of blood to flow back into the veins. In addition, thinner and more delicate skin in older populations makes varicose veins more visible and prone to bleeding.
Other factors that make a person more susceptible to varicose veins include gender and pregnancy. Women are more likely to develop the condition. Pregnancy can exacerbate it. Hormonal changes before a menstrual period or during pregnancy or menopause might be a factor because female hormones tend to relax vein walls. Also, in pregnancy, the blood volume in the body increases to support the growing baby. This change can also enlarge the veins in the legs.
A family history also plays a role in varicose veins. If other family members have a history of this condition or similar vascular disorder, there's a greater chance you will too. Being overweight or obese puts added pressure on veins, as well.
Varicose veins won’t appear overnight. They aren’t typically noticeable; however, there are telltale signs to look out for if you’re concerned. Before varicose veins form, you may notice varicose vein symptoms.
If you are interested in learning more about varicose veins and your treatment options, we can help. Get in touch with the experts at BASS Vein Center today for more details.
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