What causes spider and varicose veins?
Veins have valves which prevent the backflow of blood towards the feet due to gravity. When these valves are weakened, there is increased pressure on the vein, which progressively cause the vein to dilate.
While dilated veins are very common in adult females, irregular and visible veins are thought to be caused progressively by:
- Lengthy periods of standing (increased pressure in the venous system and pooling of blood in the leg veins).
- Family history (a tendency to have increased pressure in the venous system).
- Pregnancy (increased venous backflow and blood volume during growth of the uterus).
Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle is thought to be the best way to avoid/delay the effects of dilated veins. However, if left untreated, dilated veins usually cause leg heaviness, tiredness/restlessness, swelling, itching, throbbing and aching.