Do you know why varicose veins appear? It is a common disorder of the veins of the lower limbs, especially in menopausal women. Read on to find out more. Whether varicose veins appear due to our lifestyle or as a hereditary condition, they are not exclusive to women . Males can get it too, as can younger people.
In this article, we will learn how and why these disorders occur, what are the direct causes, and the related factors that can predispose them. Keep reading to find out.
Table of Contents
What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are, in general terms, a circulatory problem. In its initial stages, they can easily understood as spider veins, which are small veins that can be seen through the skin as if broken. Varix defined as the bulging, dilation, or tortuosity of a vein or a segment of it. When this occurs in superficial or visible areas of the body, for example, in the lower limbs, it is observed as if there was a knot. The term noduliform used to refer to such lumps.
Varicose veins are among the most common vascular diseases. Although they can later progress to more severe problems from a medical point of view. These can be dangerous, like deep vein thrombosis.
It is necessary to clarify that, even when varicose veins in the legs are the most notorious, they are not the only ones, since they can occur in other parts, even in internal organs. There are esophageal and anus, where they also tend to swell and frequently dilate, presenting hemorrhoids.
Why do Varicose Veins Appear?
As with most health problems, the cause of varicose veins can be multiple and diverse. In principle, the primary origins are valvular insufficiency, together with the weakness of the walls in the veins.
This answer would lead us to ask ourselves, in turn, other questions: Why is there such insufficiency? What makes the veins weak? Why does this happen more often in the legs?
According to the most accepted theory, the leading cause of varicose veins would be the bipedal position, one of our most incredible pride as a species. Due to this standing position, the circulatory system must work a little harder to return blood from the legs to the heart, fighting the force of gravity.
Added to this is the fact that most of us have a large volume in the legs, which can be half the weight of the body in some individuals. All this, together, causes a great tension or overload that the system tries to compensate in some way, through mechanisms of the impulse of the venous blood.
Factors Associated with the Appearance of It
What said so far make a clear some things, but not all. For example, it not explained why varicose veins appear in some people and not in others, even though most of us stay on our feet for a long time. This leads us to consider the second group of factors that are causal or conditioning factors, among which we will mention the following:
- Hereditary factors: related to circulation problems in the family.
- Age: as we get older, our tissue age and the functioning of the organs are no longer the same.
- Menopause: also related to age, in menopause, there is a hormonal imbalance that degenerates into the syndrome of tired legs and the mien of varicose veins. Women over 45 years of age have an increased habit to the varicose syndrome.
- Obesity: as body volume and mass increase, the circulatory system must make more effort to rinse the tissues. This leads to the want of the valves that the veins have to prevent the blood from going back down.
- Lifestyle: physical inactivity and low diet contribute to weight and, therefore, with the main of varicose veins.
Available Treatments
For varicose veins there are several treatment options, which we can summarize in the following groups:
- Doctors: among the drugs, the most used are topical anticoagulants and, in the end, corticosteroids and diuretics. If these do not work, we proceed to surgery. Surgical techniques are diverse and range from microsurgery to large procedures with venous bridges. Another non-invasive option is sclerotherapy.
- Natural: the use of flavonoids, Gotu kola, and horse chestnut used as a addition to other therapies. In nutritional terms, a diet low in salt and fat is recommended, with higher use of vegetables and nuts. Also, the exercise is vital, as it activates blood mobilization.
- Aesthetics: lasers and photosclerosis fulfill aesthetic functions. Since they do not delve into the problem, but instead, solve the visual detail of the skin.
Varicose Veins Appear, but they are more than an Aesthetic Problem
Finally, it is necessary to remember that although they modify the aesthetics of the legs, varicose veins should not seen as a unique aesthetic problem. Instead, they are a sign that something is not working correctly in the bloodstream.
For this reason, varicose veins should be taken seriously, with a view to a treatment that is not just thinking about showing off beautiful legs to go to the beach in summer.
Also Read: Natural Vegetation – Overview, Types of Natural Vegetation and More
KNOW MORE:- goodhealtysti