Varicose veins are caused by defects in the walls and valves of veins in the legs. This vascular condition can be painful, distressing and disfiguring for women and men. There are a number of causes of vascular veins, including hereditary ones.
Varicose Veins
Veins are the large blood vessels that transport blood from every part of the body back to the heart, so that it can be re-oxygenated and re-circulated. Veins differ from arteries in a number of ways: They have thinner, less muscular walls, larger lumens or inner passageways, and they contain valves that help prevent backflow of blood. However, the wall and valves of veins are susceptible to damage and wear and tear, causing improper flow toward the heart. The Mayo Clinic says this can cause varicose veins in the legs, in which blood leaks and pools in segments of the veins, increasing pressure and weakening the blood vessel walls.
Symptoms
Varicose veins can be seen just under the skin as enlarged, dark pink to blue veins. They occur for several reasons. The Mayo Clinic says they are often disfigured, swollen and twisted due to their weakened walls and valves, and may bulge out under the skin. Varicose veins often appear blue or purple in color because they contain slow-moving deoxygenated blood that pools in weakened veins.
Excess Standing or Sitting
Excess standing or sitting in one position for long durations can cause the valves in the veins to weaken. Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart and in the legs particularly, working against the force of gravity. The contractions of the leg muscles help to act as pumps that propel the blood upward in the right direction. The valves in the veins also close after a portion of blood flows up, to prevent backflow and help push the bloodstream in the right direction. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute notes that prolonged standing or sitting can weaken these valves as well as the walls of the veins, leading to varicose veins in the legs, ankles and feet.
Wear and Tear
The walls of the veins lose elasticity with age and normal wear and tear. Weakened blood vessel walls, the effects of gravity as well as weaker leg muscle lead to backflow of blood in the veins. This can cause stretching and weakening of these blood vessels walls, leading to the veins becoming enlarged, swollen and varicosed.
Pregnancy Risks
Pregnant women are at higher risk of developing varicose veins due to increased mass and constricted blood flow. The Physicians Desktop Reference explains that pregnancy causes an increased volume of blood in the body so that the developing fetus can be adequately nourished. However, it also causes greater pressure on the veins in the legs, and increased hormones during pregnancy weaken the walls of the veins. These factors lead to a greater risk of varicose veins in pregnant women. The extent of the varicosities is genetic, also depending on the health of the pregnant woman. The varicose veins generally decrease in appearance about three months after the delivery of the baby. However, in some cases severely damaged vein walls and valves cannot heal on their own and require treatment.
