What causes varicose veins?
People have been talking about them for generations. Unfortunately, sufferers haven’t always had the medical facts – and a lot of baseless ideas still flourish on today’s Internet.
Let’s look at some of the most common varicose vein myths:
Myth: Crossing Your Legs Causes Varicose Veins
While this might seem logical at first – the idea that crossing your legs will “kink” your veins – it doesn’t work that way in practice. Veins are protected by a rigid sheath of muscle that doesn’t allow them to bend and twist through ordinary movements of the leg.
Myth: High Heels Cause Varicose Veins
High heels are associated with a number of problems, including foot, leg and back issues. These are amplified when heel-wearers must stand up for much of the day. However, high heels usually have a minimal effect on blood flow and vascular function.
Myth: Pregnancy Causes Varicose Veins
During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through substantial changes in a short time. Among these are weight gain, essential to support the health of both mother and fetus. Though this does increase pressure on the cardiovascular system, it won’t cause varicose veins on its own.
Myth: Varicose Veins are Inevitable
The risk of developing varicose veins does increase with age. However, some people never will develop them. Treatment can be effective in many cases, regardless of age.
Myth: Only Women Develop Varicose Veins
While women are somewhat more likely than men to get varicose veins, they are not alone. Varicose veins even can develop early in life and may be associated with athletic injuries.
Myth: Running Causes Varicose Veins
On the contrary, running – and other cardiovascular exercises – tends to improve vein health.
So, What Are The Facts?
Varicose veins are swollen blood vessels visible through the skin. They are seen most commonly in the legs. Spider veins, by contrast, are smaller. They appear on the face as well as the legs. Both conditions are caused by the same risk factors.
Some include:
- A history of varicose veins in the family;
- An occupation that involves lots of standing;
- Obesity and several other medical conditions.
San Diego Varicose Vein Treatment Center
You may not be able to control the causes of varicose veins, but you can get relief from these and other problem veins. Venous disorder treatment is safe, simple and effective. To discover more, contact San Diego Varicose Vein Treatment Center today.
