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Heartline Magazine April - June 2004
Varicose Veins
What are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are gnarled, beenlarged veins (blood vessels) close to your
skin's surface. The word varicose comes from the Latin root varix, which means
"twisted." Any vein may become varicose, but the veins most commonly affected
are those in your legs and feet. That's because you stand and walk up-right,
which increases the pressure in the veins in your lower body.
For many people, varicose veins and spider veins - a common, mild and
medically insignificant variation of varicose veins - are simply a cosmetic
concern. For other people, varicose veins can cause aching pain and discomfort.
Sometimes the condition leads to more serious problems. Varicose veins may also
signal a higher risk of other disorders of the circulatory system.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body's tissues.
Veins return blood from your body to your heart, so the blood can be
re-circulated. To return blood to your heart, the veins in your legs must work
against gravity. This is accomplished by muscle contractions in your lower legs,
which act as pumps; toned, elastic vein walls that help blood return; and tiny
one-way valves in your veins. The valves open as blood flows toward your heart
and close to stop blood from flowing backward. Varicose veins occur when the
valves in your veins malfunction. As you get older your veins can lose
elasticity, causing them to stretch out. When that happens, blood that should be
moving toward your heart may flow backward. Blood pools in your veins, and your
veins enlarge and become varicose. The veins appear blue because they contain
de-oxygenated blood, which is in the process of being re-circulated.
Some pregnant women develop varicose veins. Pregnancy increases the volume
of blood in your body but decreases the flow of blood from your legs to your
pelvis. This circulatory change is designed to support the growing fetus, but it
can produce an unfortunate side effect - enlarged veins in your legs. Varicose
veins may surface for the first time or may worsen during late pregnancy, when
your uterus exerts greater pressure on the veins in your legs. Hemorrhoids are
varicose veins located in and around the anus.
Can Varicose Veins be prevented?
There's no way to always prevent varicose veins. But improving your
circulation and muscle tone can reduce the risk of developing varicose veins or
getting additional ones. To improve circulation and muscle tone, follow these
tips:
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Exercise - Get your legs moving. Walking is a
great way to encourage blood circulation in your legs. Your doctor can
recommend an appropriate activity level for you.
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Control your weight - Shedding excess pounds
takes unnecessary pressure off your veins.
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Watch what you wear - Avoid high heels. Low-heeled shoes work calf muscles more, which is better
for Circulating veins. Don't wear tight clothes around your calves or groin.
Tight panty-leg girdles, for instance can restrict circulation.
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Elevate your legs - To Improve circulation,
take three or four 10- to 15-minute breaks daily to elevate your legs above
the level of your. Heart. For example, lie down with your legs resting on
three or four pillows.
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Avoid long periods of sitting or standing - Make a point of changing your position frequently to encourage blood flow.
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Don't sit with your legs crossed -
This position can aggravate your circulatory problem.
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