Medilaser Varicose Vein Removal

SYMPTOMS

Whether or not your varicose veins cause discomfort, it is important to know if you have them or not. Signs you might have varicose veins include:

•  Your veins are dark purple or blue in color
•  The veins appear twisted and bulging—they almost look like rope or a chord
•  Your legs feel heavy or achy frequently
•  You experience frequent burning, throbbing, cramping or swelling in your lower legs
•  Your discomfort increases after sitting or standing still for a long time
•  The areas around your vein itch
•  Skin discoloration is visible around the vein

CAUSES

So, what exactly causes these veins? Before we get into what they actually are, let’s talk about the function a normal, healthy vein should perform.

Our legs, like the rest of our body, have both visible veins and veins that run deep under the skin surface. When acting as they should, the deep veins in our legs carry oxygen-poor blood to the heart so more oxygen can be added. Leg muscles do this in your legs and squeeze the deep veins as you walk, using gravity to push blood upwards. The superficial veins, on the other hand, transport blood from your skin, fat tissue and muscles to the deep veins.

Varicose veins are typically caused by valves in the superficial veins that stop working correctly. This causes blood to build up within the veins, giving them an enlarged, twisted appearance, thanks to weakened vein walls.

Factors that Increase Chances of Varicose Veins

Sometimes the genetic lottery does not work in our favor. Here are some of the most common factors that increase your risk of developing varicose veins.

• Age. Aging causes wear and tear on the body, including the valves in your veins that regulate your blood flow.
• Gender. Women are more likely to develop varicose veins thanks to everyone’s favorite friend—hormones! Hormonal changes during times such as pregnancy and menopause produce hormones that relax vein walls. Additionally, hormone treatments like birth control pills can also increase your risk of varicose veins.
• Pregnancy. Outside of just the hormonal state, pregnancy dramatically increases the volume of blood within your body. This supports the growing fetus but can cause the unfortunate side effect of varicose veins.
• Family genetics. Your family has likely given you a great number of genetic gifts, but varicose veins are one present we wish could be returned. Chances are, if your family members have had varicose veins, you will too.
• Obesity. Being overweight adds pressure on your veins.
• A sedentary lifestyle. Your chances of getting varicose veins are higher if you frequently sit or even stand in one place for long periods. As you probably know, blood doesn’t flow well when you are in the same position for long periods of time.