I confess that I am of an age where the risks of certain health concerns have begun to freak me out. Where my forehead was once smooth and carefree, I now notice the first inkling of furrows. I get tired at ten p.m. Most troubling, I feel that I am on the verge of falling prey to batwing arms. But not far away on my list of potential physical disasters are vein disorders. Varicose, spider, and reticular veins—I’m on constant vein-watch.
I’ve been trying to stave off vein issues since I was twenty-five. I first noticed little purple spidery patches creeping up my thighs, behind my knees, and then I realized that my grandmother (to whom I bear more than a passing resemblance) had a few varicose veins herself. That led me to want to find out everything I could about vein disorders, and see what, if anything, I could do to stop them.
Circulation Tribulation
Veins pump deoxygenated blood back to the heart, and tiny valves in the veins push the blood along, preventing it from flowing backwards. When the vein walls become weak or the valves don’t function correctly, blood flows the wrong way and begins to pool in the veins, causing them to collapse and develop into twisty, distended blue protrusions. The backup and pooling of blood in the veins is called venous insufficiency and it’s caused by weakening of the vein walls and of the valves. Venous abnormalities usually occur in the legs and lower body because the veins there work against gravity. Although uncommon, some varicose veins develop on the ankles or even as high as the groin.
There are many similar vein conditions related to varicose veins. Spider veins, which are inflamed capillaries caused by the same venous insufficiency, are far less severe and they usually occur on the legs, closer to the surface of the skin. These red or blue veins can look like spider webs or tree branch patterns. Reticular veins, the flat, bluish veins that appear behind the knees, are another related condition. Occasionally, more serious reddish spider veins called telangiectasias can appear on the face. Hemorrhoids are another form of varicose veins that occur around the anus, and varicoceles, a type of varicose vein found in the scrotum, are often linked to male infertility.
Vein disorders are among the most common medical conditions in America and account for more missed work than heart disease, according the Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF). Varicose veins are more common in women than in men; the VDF notes that by age fifty, 40 percent of women will have a vein disorder, compared with about 20 percent of men. Most vein disorders, such as basic varicose veins or spider veins, can be managed at home, but a doctor should examine varicoceles and severe varicose veins.
A Confusing Protrusion
No one is exactly sure why some people get varicose veins and some don’t, but there are definite risk factors. Age is a big one, since our blood vessels lose elasticity as we get older. Those who are obese, immobile, or spend long periods sitting or standing are also at greater risk for varicose veins, because of the increased pressure on the legs.
Varicose veins commonly develop during pregnancy. Because of increased blood flow in the body and the added weight of the fetus, many women experience varicose veins on their legs, as well as hemorrhoids. The good news is that varicose veins that develop during pregnancy usually go away within a few months of the delivery. The bad news? They are likely to worsen with each subsequent pregnancy. Doctors theorize that the hormone surge during pregnancy is another reason that vein disorders occur so often in expectant women. Hormonal changes could also explain why women are generally more likely to develop varicose veins throughout their life.
