Varicose Veins Help and Advice

• Introduction
• How your Veins Work
• Myths about Varicose Vein
• Treaments

Provided By Sue Topp
British Vein Institute
www.bvi.uk.com

Introduction

What are they?

Arteries bring blood from the heart to the extremities. Veins contain one way valves and channel blood back to the heart. When there is obstruction of veins, or when prolonged pressure is placed on the veins, the valves stretch and no longer close properly. This allows blood to travel back down the veins towards the feet.

The veins in the legs that are near to the surface of the skin enlarge and result in what is commonly called varicose veins. These can range from minor dilatations to large bunch of grape-like structures in the calf. Very small purple or blue veins in the skin of the legs are called "thread veins" or dermal flares and often occur alongside large varicose veins. Some people are only affected by dermal flares.

Both types of varicose veins are probably caused by the same factors. Varicose veins is a slowly progressive disease which if left untreated can lead to marked skin change damage or ulceration near the ankle.

Why do varicose veins arise?

Heredity is important in the development of varicose and spider veins. Up to 20% of the adult population have varicose veins and experience discomfort as a result. Many people know of other family members with the same problem. A recent study showed that where both parents had varicose veins there was an 80% chance of their children developing varices.

Environmental factors also play a large part in the development of varicosities, for example, prolonged standing - especially for workers such as nurses, sales assistants, flight attendants, waitresses and teachers, for example. Diet may also be a factor, and our Western diet with high content of fat and refined sugar with low fiber content may contribute to the development of varicose veins. Varicose veins may also become more frequent with advancing age, but may appear at any time of life and small varices are sometimes seen in school children.

Although all factors such as puberty, pregnancy and the menopause also influence the course of the disease. As many as 70 - 80% of pregnant women develop varicose veins during the first trimester. Pregnancy causes an increase in hormone levels and blood volume which in turn causes veins to enlarge. Later in pregnancy, the enlarge uterus causes increased pressure on the veins in the pelvis. Approximately 60 - 70% of varicose veins due to pregnancy will disappear within a few months of delivery.

Little research has been done to investigate the role of the pill and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the development of varicose veins. These probably have no influence on them.