What is the cause of varicose veins in the legs and how do they develop?

Varicose veins are a relatively common vascular condition affecting about 20% of the population and nearly one-third of men and women aged 18-64. This condition arises from weakness and insufficiency in leg veins. As we know veins return blood containing carbon dioxide and waste from the body's tissues to the heart. When vein walls or valves which prevent blood backflow, malfunction due to various reasons, blood doesn't flow fully to the heart, pooling in the veins and causing pressure, swelling and varicosity. Varicose veins can occur anywhere but are most common in the legs due to anatomy, gravity and pressure. Multiple factors can cause leg varicose veins which we will explore.

Causes of Varicose Veins

Various factors can contribute to varicose veins:

Genetic Factors

1. Family History: A key risk factor; if a family member has varicose veins, your risk increases by about 90%.

2. Weak Venous Valves: Some individuals have congenital weakness in venous valves, disrupting blood flow and causing pooling.

3. Ethnicity: Some studies suggest certain ethnic groups are more prone.

Environmental Risk Factors

1. Trauma or Injury: Accidents, impacts or sports injuries can cause varicose veins. Types of injuries include:

   • Leg bone fractures damaging surrounding veins.

   • Ankle sprains injuring small ankle veins.

   • Direct calf trauma affecting deeper veins. These injuries can lead to varicose veins by:

   • Damaging venous valves which prevent reflux, causing pooling, swelling and twisting.

   • Inflaming vein walls, weakening vessels.

2. High Heat and Temperature: Prolonged exposure to intense heat like in jobs under strong sunlight or high temperatures or saunas and hot baths, can dilate veins and increase pressure.

3. Tight Clothing or Shoes: Tight clothes or shoes restrict blood flow in the legs increasing varicose vein risk.

Lifestyle Factors

1. Prolonged Standing or Sitting: Jobs or habits involving long periods of standing or sitting are significant risks.

2. Obesity and Overweight: Excess weight pressures leg veins raising varicose vein risk.

3. Pregnancy: Hormonal changes, increased blood volume, weight gain and pelvic pressure during pregnancy contribute.

4. Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of exercise reduces blood flow in the legs increasing varicosity risk.

5. Improper Exercise: Activities putting excessive pressure on the legs like heavy weightlifting can slow blood flow from legs to heart due to abdominal muscle pressure.

6. Poor Diet: Excessive fat, sugar, salt and processed foods can impair vein health and efficiency. For a varicose vein-friendly diet see Best Diet for Varicose Veins.

7. Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking and alcohol weaken vein walls causing long-term damage.

8. Hormonal Medications: Some hormonal drugs especially birth control pills can contribute.

Physical and Disease-Related Factors

1. Diseases: Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, kidney failure, blood clotting disorders and chronic constipation can predispose to varicose veins.

2. Blood Clots: Previous clots especially deep vein thrombosis can obstruct veins increasing pressure and leading to varicose veins.

3. Hormonal Changes: Hormones affect vein function making women more susceptible during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.

4. Gender: Varicose veins are more common in women due to body anatomy, pregnancy and hormonal changes.

5. Age: With age vein elasticity and valve function decrease raising varicosity risk.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins

Symptoms vary but commonly include:

• Initial symptoms: leg heaviness or fatigue after prolonged standing, leg muscle pain or cramps at night, ankle or calf swelling, swollen twisted veins or blue/purple under skin, itching around varicose veins.

• Advanced symptoms: severe persistent swelling, skin discoloration to brown/red, dryness or thinning, ulcers near ankle, bleeding from varicose veins.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Varicose Veins

Diagnosis typically involves physical exams or medical methods.

Physical Examination

Observing swollen twisted veins, skin discoloration, swelling, ulcers, pain and valve function.

Medical Methods

• Doppler Ultrasound

In this method which is the most common diagnostic technique and is performed like a regular ultrasound; veins, blood flow, vascular insufficiency, venous valve failure and blood clots can be examined.

• Colour Duplex Ultrasound

By combining regular ultrasound and Doppler a more accurate assessment of vein structure and blood flow velocity is conducted.

• Venography or Venous Angiography

This is done by injecting a contrast agent into the veins and imaging with X-rays.

• Plethysmography

Using special cuffs that attach to the leg like a blood pressure cuff, it helps diagnose blood flow disorders and measures changes in blood volume in the legs.

• Thermography

This method uses a thermal camera to detect blood flow disorders.

• Tests such as the vascular exercise test

In this test veins are examined and assessed before and after physical activity.

Each of the diagnostic methods we mentioned is carried out according to the opinion and diagnosis of the doctor. In addition in some cases, blood tests, CT scans or MRI may be required.

However the initial diagnosis is usually made through a physical examination and Doppler ultrasound. Today treatment for leg varicose veins unlike in the past when the only options were medication or surgery due to medical advancements includes a variety of simple and quick methods such as varicose vein laser treatment, sclerotherapy and phlebectomy with the varicose vein specialist ultimately choosing the best treatment based on the type, severity of the disease and the patient's condition.

Conclusion

Answering "What’s the best treatment for my varicose veins?" depends on factors like type and severity. A specialist’s accurate diagnosis is essential. Self-treatment or non-specialized approaches may not be wise as the condition can worsen.

FAQs

Is varicose veins dangerous?

Varicose veins are usually not seriously dangerous but in some cases may cause complications like blood clots, ulcers or infection requiring treatment.

Is varicose veins only in the legs?

Varicose veins can occur in various body parts but are most common in the legs.

Is varicose veins contagious?

No, varicose veins are not contagious.

Can varicose veins occur in young people?

Yes, varicose veins can develop in any age, including youth.

Is varicose veins in men too?

Yes, varicose veins occur in men but are more common in women.

If prone to varicose veins what to do?

If you have physical or environmental conditions increasing varicose vein risk, take early preventive measures. If symptoms appear even mildly consult a specialist.