What causes varicose veins?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:Varicose veins occur when valves preventing backflow of blood returning to the heart become weakened (often because of pregnancy or weight gain), and blood pools in the veins of the legs, causing them to bulge. You can reduce some of the symptoms (like pain and swelling) by elevating your legs to promote blood drainage to the heart and avoiding standing for long periods of time. Wearing compression stockings while standing can stall their development. Various kinds of surgery can also address varicose veins - either by removing them or by closing them off.
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Varicose veins occur when valves preventing backflow of blood returning to the heart become weakened (often because of pregnancy or weight gain), and blood pools in the veins of the legs, causing them to bulge. You can reduce some of the symptoms... More -
Dr. Pina LoGiudice answered:Veins are the vessels in our body that carry blood away from tissues and back to the heart and lungs. Varicose veins happen when this natural piping loses its strength and becomes bent and out of shape. Varicose veins usually look like dark purple, worm-like bumps under skin. While genetics can play some role in how severe these can show up for us as we age, we also know that excessive constipation, poor nutrition and being overweight can also play a role.Veins are the vessels in our body that carry blood away from tissues and back to the heart and lungs. Varicose veins happen when this natural piping loses its strength and becomes bent and out of shape. Varicose veins usually look like dark... More -
Healthwise answered:Varicose veins are enlarged veins that usually occur just under the skin (superficial veins). Varicose veins are likely to be caused by one or more factors, including:
- Increased pressure in the leg veins.
- Damage to the leg veins.
- Venous insufficiency.
Varicose veins often run in families. You may be born with defective valves or weak walls in your veins, or you may develop them later in life.
Varicose veins are more common in women than in men. And varicose veins happen more often as people get older.
Varicose veins often develop during pregnancy. They might become less prominent after pregnancy and may disappear completely.
Less commonly, varicose veins may be a sign of a more serious problem that may sometimes need treatment. These serious problems can include:
- Blood clots or blockage in the deep veins or perforating veins.
- Injury to the deep veins.
- Abnormal blood vessels between arteries and veins (arteriovenous fistulas). A person may be born with these problems or develop them later in life.
- Tumors (very rarely).
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that usually occur just under the skin (superficial veins). Varicose veins are likely to be caused by one or more factors, including: Increased pressure in the leg veins. Damage to the leg veins. Venous... More -
UCLA Health answered:Varicose veins usually appear as swollen, twisted clumps of blue or purple blood vessels near the surface of the skin in the legs or pelvis. They occur when valves that facilitate blood flow between the heart and the legs begin to leak and cause blood to pool in the legs.Varicose veins usually appear as swollen, twisted clumps of blue or purple blood vessels near the surface of the skin in the legs or pelvis. They occur when valves that facilitate blood flow between the heart and the legs begin to leak and cause... More
