How Veins Work

To understand why the different lifestyle factors make such an impact, it's important to have a basic understanding of how veins work. The main purpose of leg veins is to return blood up the legs to the heart. The blood is pumped up the legs by muscle contraction and breathing. So, when you walk or move, the venous blood moves. And when you stand still, so does the blood.

The weight of all the blood in your legs is very heavy - so heavy, in fact, you would think it would drain down to your feet when you stand still. The veins prevent this from happening. Hundreds of small valves within the leg veins shut when you stand still. These valves keep the blood in place and stop it from running back down to your feet. When you start to walk again, the valves open up and the blood is pumped toward the heart.

Varicose Veins Result from Expanded Vein Walls and Damaged Valves

Although the exact cause of varicose veins is unknown, we do know that the walls of the veins can expand and valves can be damaged. This damage can happen when the blood is prevented from moving out of the legs as it should. Since the weight of the blood is so heavy, the valves are able to hold back the downward flow of blood for only a limited time. Then the vein wall gradually starts to expand. The valves no longer have a nice, tight fit, and blood starts to move down the leg. As more valves become damaged, more blood is allowed to pool in the vein, and it starts to become visible to the human eye. This is what we call a "varicose vein." When you have this type of vein you may also have symptoms of tiredness and "heaviness."

Heredity is the number one contributing factor causing varicose and spider veins. Women are more likely to suffer from abnormal leg veins. Up to 50% of American women may be affected. Hormonal factors including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, the use of birth control pills, estrogen, and progesterone affect the disease. It is very common for pregnant women to develop varicose veins during the first trimester. Pregnancy causes increases in hormone levels and blood volume which in turn cause veins to enlarge. In addition, the enlarged uterus causes increased pressure on the veins. Varicose veins due to pregnancy often improve within 3 months after delivery. However, with successive pregnancies, abnormal veins are more likely to remain. Other predisposing factors include aging, standing occupations, obesity and leg injury.

If you suffer from problems related to varicose and spider veins, you are not alone. It is estimated that more than 80 million Americans suffer from some form of venous disorder.

While some people seek treatment for cosmetic improvement, many seek relief from pain. Help is available.

This on-line brochure contains useful information about the evaluation and treatment of varicose and spider veins. Special attention is given to recent advancements.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Arteries bring blood from the heart to the extremities, veins, which have one-way valves, channel blood back to the heart. If the valves don't function well, blood doesn't flow efficiently. The veins become enlarged because they are congested with blood. These enlarged veins are commonly called spider veins or varicose veins. Spider veins are small red, blue or purple veins on the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are larger distended veins that are located somewhat deeper than spider veins.

Pain in the legs is frequently related to abnormal leg veins. Symptoms, often made worse by prolonged standing, include feelings of fatigue, heaviness, aching, burning, throbbing, itching, cramping, and restlessness of the legs. Leg swelling can occur. Severe varicose veins can compromise the nutrition of the skin and lead to eczema, inflammation or even ulceration of the lower leg.

Vein disorders are not always visible; diagnostic techniques are important tools in determining the cause and severity of the problem. In addition to a physical examination, non-invasive ultrasound is often used.