It’s every woman’s dream to wear a pair of shorts or a skirt without having to worry about unsightly varicose veins. But for many of us, that dream remains like a dream. Aside from losing self-confidence over your appearance, you can also get uncomfortable symptoms like aching, throbbing, and heaviness in your legs.
The million-dollar question remains: what causes these veins to appear on our legs suddenly? Let this article answer that question, and provide you with all the essential things you need to know about these wriggly veins on your legs.
Varicose and Spider Veins Explained
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that usually appear on the legs. They may be blue or dark purple and are often lumpy and bulging. Spider veins are smaller, red, purple, and blue vessels that also twist and turn. They are often found on the legs and face.
Varicose Veins vs. Spider Veins
What sets these two apart? Well, varicose veins are more prominent and more raised than spider veins. They can be painful when touched and may even lead to ulcers. Meanwhile, spider veins are smaller and closer to the skin’s surface. They don’t usually cause pain but can be unsightly. These can be an eyesore, especially for those always in bikinis or shorts.
What Causes Varicose and Spider Veins?
So, what causes varicose and spider veins? There are so many reasons why they appear in our legs and hips.
Age
As we age, our skin loses its elasticity. This makes it harder for the valves in our veins to close correctly, which then causes the blood to flow back into the veins and pool there. This increases the pressure in the veins and causes them to become varicose or spider veins.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is another common reason why varicose veins exist. This is because during pregnancy, the volume of blood in the body increases but the flow of blood from the legs upwards to the pelvis decreases. The pressure in the veins in the legs increases, causing the varicose veins to form.
Obesity
Being overweight or obese can also lead to varicose veins. This is because the extra weight puts more pressure on the veins in your legs, making it harder for your blood to flow back to your heart.
Sitting or Standing For Long Periods of Time
If you have a job requiring you to sit or stand for long periods, you are also at risk of developing varicose veins. This is because the blood flow in your legs slows down when you are not moving around, and this can cause the veins to become varicose.
Heredity
If varicose or spider veins run in your family, you are more likely to develop them. This is because the condition can be passed down from generation to generation.
Bad Lifestyle Habits
Smoking and drinking alcohol can also lead to varicose veins. This is because they can both damage your veins’ valves, leading to varicose veins formation.
Now that you know the causes of varicose and spider veins, it’s time to learn about their different treatments.
Can We Get Rid of These?
Back then, people with varicose and spindly spider veins simply have to put up with them for the rest of their lives. But nowadays, several treatments are already available that can help eliminate these unsightly veins.
Sclerotherapy
This is a standard treatment for spider veins. A solution is injected into the vein, irritating the vessel’s lining and causing it to collapse and fade away. Sclerotherapy has been known for being effective in treating spider veins.
Endovenous Laser Therapy
This is a newer treatment that uses lasers to close varicose veins. A laser fiber is inserted into the vein and activated to deliver heat to the vein wall. This damages the vein itself and causes it to close. Endovenous laser therapy is a minimally invasive procedure with minimal side effects.
Vein Ligation and Stripping
This is a surgical procedure that is used to treat varicose veins—the surgeon incisions the leg and then ties off the varicose vein. The vein is then removed through another incision. This is a more invasive procedure and is usually only done when other treatments have failed.
Radiofrequency Ablation
This treatment also uses heat to destroy the vein. A small probe is inserted into the vein, and radio waves are used to deliver heat to the vein wall. This intentionally damages the vein and causes it to close. Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure effective in treating varicose veins.
Compression Stockings
Compression stockings are also commonly used to treat varicose veins and spider veins. They work by applying pressure to the legs, which helps to improve blood flow and prevent the veins from becoming varicose or spider veins.
Possible Risks of Varicose and Spider Veins
When left untreated, the varicose veins on your legs can lead to several complications. One of those is the development of blood clots. When a blood clot forms in an already throbbing varicose vein, it can block blood flow and cause pain, swelling, and inflammation. If the blood clot breaks loose and travels to another body part, it can be life-threatening.
Varicose veins can also lead to ulcers. When the valves in the veins are damaged, it can cause blood to pool in the legs, and this can lead to the formation of ulcers. Spider veins, on the other hand, are usually just a cosmetic concern. But in some cases, they can also cause pain and discomfort.
If you are concerned about the varicose or spider veins on your legs, it is best to consult with a vein specialist. They can help you determine the best course of treatment for your condition.
Am I Going to Die?
This is one of the frequently asked questions regarding varicose veins. But the truth is that varicose veins are not life-threatening. However, they can lead to some severe complications if left untreated. So if you have varicose veins, it is best to see a doctor and get treatment for them as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Varicose veins, and to a similar extent, spider veins, are caused by several factors, and several treatments are available for them. Varicose veins can lead to severe complications if left untreated, so it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible if you think you have them.
On that note, always get treatment for your varicose veins and scribble-like spider veins from a registered specialist for the best results and to avoid complications down the road. B Beautiful Med Spa offers the best solutions to eliminate your varicose and spider veins. They also have the most current services that you might love. Be gorgeous all day with B Beautiful Med Spa!
