Varicose veins---enlarged, raised veins that are dark blue, dark purple or flesh-colored---often appear to be bulging or twisted and typically appear on calves or inside of legs. They occur when vein valves become weak, allowing blood to pool in veins rather than moving toward the heart. While preventing them in the first place is ideal, the appearance of varicose veins may be improved by raising legs when sitting to help blood recirculate back in the body, taking breaks from long periods of standing or sitting and wearing custom support stockings.
Heredity and Age
Having family members with weak vein valves significantly increases your chances of getting varicose veins. You're also more likely to get varicose veins when you're older because veins lose elasticity and therefore stretch. Tests, such as a venogram or Doppler ultrasound, can be taken determine the severity of varicose veins.
Hormones
The appearance of varicose veins may be brought on by hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Likewise, taking medications containing estrogen and progesterone---such as birth control pills---may lead to varicose veins.
Weight and Pressure
Obesity is a contributing factor to varicose veins because carrying extra weight puts added pressure on veins. Because pressure is a major contributor, varicose veins are more likely to appear among those who stand for long periods of time, as prolonged standing negatively impacts blood flow. Anyone who sits for long periods of time is at risk, too, because blood presses against closed valves, causing distension in veins. Accordingly, varicose veins can appear if you wear clothing that constricts the legs, waist or groin or if you regularly wear high heels.
Pregnancy
Because pregnancy increases the blood volume in the body, varicose veins may appear for the first time in a woman's life during pregnancy. They're also more likely to appear at this time due to changes in hormones and because extra weight puts additional pressure on the legs. However, in this case, varicose veins usually disappear within a few months of giving birth.
