• Home
• |
• Expert guides
• |
• Talking to your doctor
• |
• Feedback
• |
• Problems A-Z
• |
• Online doctor

• Anal
  problems
• Brain & nervous
  system problems
• Breast & nipple
  problems
• Gut
  problems
• Hands, legs &
  feet problems
• Mouth & face
  problems
• Sex & genital
  problems
• Hair
  problems
• Skin
  problems
• Urinary
  problems

Varicose veins

A bulging section of blue, twisted vein on the back of a person's calf or thigh is a common sight 10–15% of men and 20–25% of women have visible veins. A varicose vein is actually a vein that has lost its elasticity. Its wall has become flabby, so that it easily becomes swollen with blood.

Who gets varicose veins

• Varicose veins affect both men and women.
• You can get varicose veins at any age (even as a teenager), but they are more likely as you get older. They tend to run in families.
• Varicose veins may first occur during pregnancy because of hormonal changes that relax the wall of the vein and because of pressure in the veins from the expanding uterus (womb). After the baby is born, there will be a general improvement in the veins, but they often become worse again in later pregnancies.
• The contraceptive pill makes varicose veins more likely.
• Obesity and repeated abdominal strain (for example, from heavy lifting) may contribute.
• A study in Denmark confirmed what is often suspected if your job involves standing or walking for long periods, you are more likely to develop varicose veins (Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;62:847–50). Long periods of sitting with the legs bent and crossed probably makes varicose veins worse.
• Sometimes varicose veins occur after a serious thrombosis (blood clot) in the deep veins, because this may damage the valves at the main junctions.
• It has been suggested that a diet low in fibre increases the likelihood of varicose veins (because if we are constipated we have to strain to open our bowels, which puts pressure on the veins), but this is unproven.
   

---

---

---

Advertisments