When it comes to varicose veins treatment, many who suffer from this condition do so with respect to two separate yet completely intertwined reasons. While varicose veins can be frustrating in their aesthetic appearance ranging from simple discoloration to bulging or twisted veins below the surface, they also often come with a set of painful symptoms that can interfere with daily life. Many individuals who have dealt with the development of varicose veins report symptoms such as aching, swelling, or cramping around these enlarged veins.
Understanding what causes varicose veins is a first step in determining when it’s time to approach a cosmetic physician with questions regarding the reduction or elimination of these problematic veins. While varicose veins can certainly be indicators of underlying venous insufficiencies, there are other reasons for the development of these veins that may be more related to an individual’s family history.
Multiple Causes for Varicose Veins
Veins play a vital role in the human body and when part of the circulatory system suffers, the results can often be seen in a variety of ways. Many physicians point to venous insufficiencies as a baseline reason for the development of varicose veins. As veins work hard to move blood throughout the body and back and forth between the heart, they do so in tandem with valves that help blood flow the right direction despite the pull of gravity. In the event that one of these valves malfunctions, blood quickly begins to flow the opposite direction and pools in the veins in the extremities.
As the pressure of this blood buildup begins to increase, veins in the legs begin to swell, causing blood, purple and red discolorations to begin to appear beneath the surface of the skin. When the condition is left untreated and worsens, patients begin to notice those painful symptoms. For some individuals, varicose veins will present as ropey lengths of vessels under the skin, others will see veins showing up in a more knotted pattern along the legs and even across the knees.
Beyond venous insufficiencies, it is thought that the development of varicose veins in some individuals is more closely linked to family history. Those with a history of varicose veins in their family tree may be more inclined to develop them despite overall vein health. Similarly, some physicians point to fluctuating hormone levels and even the natural aging process to the development of varicose veins over the course of a lifetime. Women tend to frequently develop varicose veins during moments of hormonal fluctuations specific to both pregnancy and menopause. It’s believed that lifestyle can also contribute to the potential for developing varicose veins. Those individuals who must sit for long periods of time due to the nature of their work, or alternatively, spend significant portions of their day standing may be more prone to developing varicose veins than those individuals who balance out sedentary time with exercise.
Recommendations for Avoiding the Development of Varicose Veins
Awareness of the possible causes of varicose veins is a great way to keep on top of potential symptoms that indicate they may be a potential factor in your life. For those individuals that have a family history of varicose veins, establishing regular vein care and screenings with a physician is an important step in maintaining overall venous health. While tracking venous health may not prevent varicose veins entirely, it will keep you on the cutting edge of options for reducing or eliminating these problematic veins as they arrive. It’s also a good way to keep an eye on veins that lie further beneath the surface of the skin that may potentially be a problem down the road.
Adjusting individual lifestyle choices to promote vein health and blood flow is also a strategic route to potentially avoiding the development of varicose veins in the future. Sticking to a regular plan of diet and exercise while eliminating habits such as smoking are wonderful first steps towards keeping varicose veins at bay. Similarly, those individuals that are required to sit at a desk for long periods of time throughout the day will want to consider taking frequent standing or walking breaks to promote blood flow throughout the body. Alternatively, those who are on their feet for the majority of the day will want to make breaks with leg elevation a priority to create balance within the body’s vessels and blood flow.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Wright
Whether you’re already suffering from varicose veins and your looking for a varicose veins treatment or are looking for routes to prevent them in the future, contacting Dr. Wright and his team at the St. Louis Laser Lipo Vein Center is a great first step. Our comprehensive approach to patient care means everyone who steps through our door receives an initial consultation followed by a customized treatment plan to follow. Contact us today! We can’t wait to welcome you to our clinic and join you on your journey to health and change.
