You may have noticed that over time, your legs have become covered in little blue lines, and maybe you’ve even panicked because it feels like it came out of nowhere. You may have even thrown your hands in the air in frustration and asked, “What causes varicose veins?” It’s not a bad question if it’s just for the reasoning that if you know what causes them, you can avoid getting them, right?
Well, it’s not that simple. First of all, it is important to think about whether or not there is danger in its appearance. The truth is that it is rare that varicose veins pose a serious danger. However, no two humans are the same, and these variations put a proverbial twist on things, so it’s important to have a discussion with your doctor about what course of action is best for you.
As for the causes, medical experts agree that, for the most part, varicose veins can be caused by:
Age leading to vein elasticity – When a blood vessel is compromised over time, it can make a vein unable to hold its shape. This, in turn, causes blood to pool in the veins and develop into varicose veins. While this can affect younger patients, it is a condition that is usually associated with an older person.
Pregnancy and Circulation – The human body goes through a number of changes during pregnancy, and this includes how blood flows in the legs. However, the only advantage of having varicose veins during pregnancy is that they usually go away on their own without medical treatment within a few months to a year after delivery.
not staying healthy – You hear it on the news all the time about the onset of obesity in everyone from children to adults, and how it leads to some major health problems. Plus, the cost to your health can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight. However, as time goes by, you also have varicose veins to expect if you are overweight.
Once again, you may be asking yourself, “What causes varicose veins?” As it turns out, there are a number of causes including (but not limited to) age, pregnancy, and obesity. It’s also important to know that women are more prone to getting them, as are people who sit or stand for long periods of time. Family history is also a cause to be aware of. In short, each patient is different, which means that the causes and risk factors to be aware of will vary from person to person. Finally, keep in mind that you can’t completely prevent varicose veins, but you can take an active part in helping to reduce your risk of getting them, as well as exploring treatment options that will help reduce their occurrence.