Monday, June 10, 2013

What Causes Varicose Veins And How To Treat Them

What Causes Varicose Veins
In order to understand why people get varicose veins you first need to understand a few basics about how the circulatory system works. Arteries carry blood from the heart to the extremities, while veins carry the deoxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs. There are valves inside our veins that keep the blood moving, but unfortunately some people tend to have weaker valves. The weaker valves can cause the blood to pool which can cause varicose veins. Varicose is basically just a term for enlarged or swollen. Most varicose veins occur in the legs. Women are more likely than men to have varicose veins because of their higher estrogen levels which can weaken veins.. Pregnant women, especially, are prone to getting varicose veins. Other things that can increase your chances of developing varicose veins include standing for long periods of time, being overweight, not getting enough exercise, or having family members with vein problems.

How To Treat or Prevent Varicose Veins
Although some of the risk factors for developing varicose veins cannot be controlled (i.e. genetics), there are a few things you can do. For one, getting more exercise can help by improving circulation, helping to manage weight, and strengthening leg muscles. Compression stockings such as support pantyhose can be used to apply helpful pressure and prevent blood from pooling. Laser treatments and surgery may be used in severe cases.

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