The Cause of Varicose Veins:
Advice from Vein Treatment Experts

Varicose veins and spider veins are extremely prevalent. Abnormally dilated veins are more common in women than men, occur more frequently with advancing age and are so common that they are almost “human”. Having varicose veins can range from a cosmetic nuisance, to an extremely vexing medical condition. They predominantly present in the lower extremities where the veins are often under increased intravenous pressure while in the standing position. Even though a significant portion of the population suffers from the medical problems, and/or the discomfort and embarrassment of having enlarged varicose veins… still most do not know the cause of varicose veins.

At Midwest Vein Care, we not only offer superior vein treatment options, but we also make great effort to educate our patients. Whether this is educating patients about abnormal venous conditions, the multiple options for treatment, or simply answering your questions, we are here to help. To find out more about the cause of varicose veins, you can call us at 636-536-0241 and we will be happy to help you. We can also help you understand the many varicose vein removal options that are available to you, for example: sclerotherapy, laser vein treatment and endovenous ablation.

Understanding the Common Causes of Varicose Veins

The venous system is the body’s return circuit or plumbing network that returns the blood to the heart. It is the arteries that pump the red, oxygenated blood out to the tissues, from the heart to smaller and smaller vessels… all the way to the capillary system. It is here that the oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the tissues… then the blue “de-oxygenated” blood collects in tiny venous capillaries from small vessels to increasing larger vessels for the return to the heart. The heart then pumps the venous blood to the lungs for re-oxygenation, and the red oxygenated blood returns to the heart to be once again pumped out to the tissues.  A well functioning system will be in hemodynamic balance…whatever goes out…efficiently comes back. Because of the downward pull of gravity, the standing human depends on the functioning leg muscles to pump the blood uphill, and the venous one-way valves to keep the blood moving uphill back to the heart. When the valves become weakened or nonfunctioning (incompetent), they allow backwards, downhill flow, known as reflux. This reflux blood flow with put increased pressure against the genetically weakened vein walls… resulting in progressively worsening bulging, ropey varicose veins. This venous condition is known as chronic venous insufficiency, i.e. there is inefficient venous return to the heart. The resultant venous hypertension causes not only enlarged and painful varicose veins, but ultimately skin changes, swelling, clotting, and ulceration. This process can be caused by many different factors, which often overlap to further worsen the problem.

Some of the primary factors that can be considered as a cause of varicose veins include:

• Genetic or hereditary predisposition can be a major contributing cause of varicose veins. This is an inherited tendency towards weakened structural elements of the vein.
• Prolonged standing and inactivity, even worse in high-heeled shoes. Those in certain standing occupations are at much higher risk to develop significant varicose vein disease.
• Pregnancy is a significant exacerbating factor for varicose veins, secondary to both the hormonal shifts, and direct outflow venous (returning blood to the pelvis from the legs) obstruction from the enlarging fetus.
• Deep venous thrombosis (clotting) and resultant phlebitic syndrome.
• Congenital venous malformations.
• Obesity.
• Aging.
• Injuries and trauma.

Treatment of Varicose Veins

Whether or not they care to know the cause of varicose veins, most patients want to know the best treatment option for their varicose veins. Depending on the severity of the condition, some patients may be able to alleviate pain and other symptoms with conservative treatment. For more advanced cases, professional treatment will be necessary. Some examples conservative treatment:

• Elevation of the legs.
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory medicine.
• The regular use of medical grade gradient compression stockings.
• Certain flavonoids medication like Hesperidine and Diosmin.
• The use of a sequential pneumatic-compression device
• Exercise

Learn More About the Cause of Varicose Veins at Midwest Vein Care

Varicose veins can be a painful and uncomfortable problem. However, with the correct evaluation and diagnosis, varicose veins can be successfully treated. At Midwest Vein Care, our passion and primary goal is to help our patients be as healthy and active as they can. A thorough understanding of the cause of varicose vein disease is the first step in successful treatment.

To learn more about the cause of varicose veins or any of the available vein treatments that we offer, call us today at 636-536-0241, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.