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Varicose & Spider Veins

What causes varicose and spider veins?

Understanding the cause of varicose veins starts with understanding how our blood circulation works. The heart is a strong muscle that pumps fresh oxygenated blood to all parts of the body. Once this blood reaches its destination, it drops off its oxygen to the tissues and the veins are responsible for getting the blood back to the heart for another cycle.
Because the veins don't have a heart muscle to move the blood quickly, the veins rely on hundreds of one way valves. These valves open to allow blood to move back towards the heart, then the valves close when gravity tries to pull the blood back down to the feet. Most varicose and spider veins occur in the legs, because that is where gravity is putting the most pressure on the one way valves.
It is when these one way valves get damaged is when you start to see pooling of blood near the skin resulting in varicose or spider veins.

Why do these one way valves get damaged?

The most common reason for the valves to become damaged is from a genetic predisposition (i.e. it runs in the family). The other major reason these valves become damaged is multiple pregnancies. Even though the first pregnancy can cause unsightly veins, the second, third and fourth pregnancy generally make the veins much worse.
Other causes of varicose and spider veins are:

  1. Prolonged sitting or standing
  2. Medications like Estrogen or Birth Control
  3. Trauma to the skin or calf muscle
  4. Not wearing graduated compression stockings

What is the difference between varicose and spider veins?

Spider veins are smaller. They range from the size of a strand of hair up to the size of pencil lead. Larger green or blue veins that are not bulging from the skin are usually called venules or feeder veins. Veins that bulge out from the skin while standing or after exercise are varicose veins. Varicose veins can range from the size of an eraser to the size of your thumb. No matter which size vein you have, be sure a certified doctor examines your legs with a Doppler (which listens to the veins and valves) before having any treatment. Sometimes valves beneath the skin that can't be seen will be detected by the Doppler.

How are varicose and spider veins treated?