What Causes Varicose Veins? Article

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What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are deep blue, enlarged, twisty veins that are most common in legs, ankles, and feet.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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There are three types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries pump blood away from your heart to every area of your body. Veins pump blood back into your heart, and capillaries connect arteries and veins. To push blood both away and back to your heart, your veins and arteries have valves. When these valves become weakened, blood can begin to accumulate, resulting in enlarged, twisted, varicose veins.

Causes of Varicose Veins

In many instances, people are born with a genetic predisposition toward varicose veins. Other causes of varicose veins include:

• Aging – As you age, the valves in your veins will begin to weaken
• Obesity – Having a large frame can put undue stress on your legs and ankles, weakening the valves in your veins
• Pregnancy – In addition to weight gain, hormones can over-relax the valves in your veins

In some cases, varicose veins may be caused by a more serious medical problem such as:

• Perforated veins
• Deep vein blockage or injury
• Abnormal capillaries
• Tumors

Preventing Varicose Veins

Varicose veins cannot always be prevented, but their severity and onset can be delayed by making simple, healthy lifestyle choices. Eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, getting at least four hours of moderate exercise every week, and refraining from smoking and excessive drinking can all help prevent varicose veins.

In addition to a healthy lifestyle, you can help prevent varicose veins through methods including:

• Avoid sitting or standing in one place for long periods of time
• Do not wear clothing that constricts blood flow
• Stand up straight
• Avoid crossing your legs when you sit
• Avoid high heels
• Elevate your legs 6 to 12 inches when you lay down
• Avoid high-estrogen birth control pills

Of course, even your best efforts may fail to prevent varicose veins. If you develop varicose veins, an experienced endovascular doctor will be able to help you find the correct treatment option to effectively eliminate them and restore your comfort.

If you live in or around Tulsa, or Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and are interested in learning more about the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of varicose veins, please visit the website of triple board-certified Dr. Dominic Pedulla at the Oklahoma Vein & Endovascular Center.

About Author

If you suffer from varicose veins or spider veins, contact our vein doctor in Oklahoma City at the The Oklahoma Vein & Endovasuclar Center.

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