717
268 4001What Causes Vein Disease?
Description: Vein disease is common to both men and women and affects nearly one of every two adults. While there is no medical procedure to prevent the disease, understanding the causes can help to minimize its course. The causes of vein disease can also help to determine how best to combat or prolong its development.
Keywords: vein disease, varicose veins, spider veins, causes of vein disease
Vein disease affects between 40 and 55 percent of the adult population. Because it does affect almost one out of two people, it makes sense to understand what the disease is and what causes it.
Veins are part of the circulatory system. Arteries move the blood from the heart to the organs. Veins bring the blood back to the heart. Most people are probably already familiar with the two different types of problems. The spider type appear on the surface of the skin and are usually red or blue. They are called "spider" veins because of their thread like appearance. But despite their distinctive presence, spiders are primarily cosmetic in nature and do not pose any real threat to your health.
The varicose type are more serious and require medical attention. The circulatory system works with a series of valves that help to move the blood along as it should. When the valves malfunction, they can cause blood to back up into the superficial vessels. This in turn can result in the bulging, twisted and lumpy looking outbreaks that are often quite noticeable on the surface of the legs. Left untreated, they can lead to blood clots, skin damage, inflammation and leg ulcers.
There are a number of factors that can cause the disease:
- Age is definitely a factor. Most disease begins to develop between the ages of 30 and 35 and only increases as you get older.
- Gender is also a factor. More women than men develop the disease because women have more hormonal changes. For example, during pregnancy and menopause female hormones undergo marked if not extreme changes. The vessel walls are sensitive to female hormones and can be damaged in the process. In addition, women taking birth control pills or who are undergoing hormone therapy can also experience higher levels of disease development.
- Obesity is another factor that can increase the likelihood of developing disease. Obesity places much more pressure on your legs, and that can lead to disease as your system absorbs damage from too much weight.
- Genetics can play a large role in the disease. If your parents, grandparents, brothers or sisters develop it, you may have a genetic predisposition to developing the disease yourself. The disease tends to be genetic.
- Standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time. This can help to advance varicose disease and should not be taken lightly. By now, almost everyone has heard of the dangers inherent in long airplane flights where people are confined for long periods of time in cramped seating. The recommendation that you leave your seat and walk up and down the airplane aisles every two hours should be taken seriously. But this applies as well to anyone who has to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time, either at their job or because of physical disability. It is imperative that you stand up, sit down, walk around, and do not sit with your legs crossed for long periods. Change your position frequently. All of these recommendations are geared to relieving circulatory stress and avoiding the development of potentially deadly blood clots.
- Leg bruises can also affect disease development. Severe leg bruises can cause valve damage.
Any or all of these factors can precipitate the development of the disease. Unfortunately, there is no medical procedure that can prevent the disease from developing. But there are things you can do to lessen your chances of getting varicose veins. Maintain healthy body weight. Elevate your legs above heart level several times a day for a few minutes. Avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods, and avoid crossing your legs for prolonged periods. None of these may prevent the development of the disease, especially if you have a genetic predisposition. They can help you to maintain a healthy system for a lot longer than might be the case otherwise. In any case, it is in your best interest to be familiar with the causes of vein disease.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our friendly staff at Advanced Vein & Laser Center.
Advanced Vein & Laser Center
191 Leader Heights Road,
York, Pennsylvania, 17402
Our phone number is:
(717) 268-4001
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