Varicose veins develop when the walls of a blood vessel weaken, allowing the vein to stretch to an abnormal shape and size. What causes the walls to weaken? Often, it’s when a valve inside the vein fails to direct blood flow correctly, resulting in excess intravenous pressure. Varicose veins are a common problem, but fortunately, there are simple solutions.

• You can spot a varicose vein by its raised or twisted shape. They’re often larger and appear more vibrantly colored than other veins, since they collect more blood.
• Who is at risk for varicose veins? Over 30% of the adult population is susceptible and females are at higher risk. Obesity, genetics, pregnancy, aging, smoking, and jobs that keep you on your feet increase your propensity for varicosities. 
• Since standing and walking increase pressure on our blood vessels, varicose veins develop in the legs and pelvic region more often than other parts of the body.
• For most patients, the biggest concern is how these veins look. But varicose veins can also cause frustrating symptoms and might signify vein disease or an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. Both the appearance and causation are easily treated with minimally invasive procedures at Long Island Vein Centers.
• The disease called chronic venous insufficiency often causes varicose veins, which is something our vein specialists in Long Island treat.

Anyone can develop varicose veins, particularly if they run in your family. However, women are more prone to varicosities because pregnancy increases venous pressure in several ways: weight gain, increased blood volume, hormone changes, and the weight of the fetus against pelvic veins. Incidence increases with multiple pregnancies and also after menopause. For men, the main predictors besides family history are being over age 50 and sitting or standing on the job (a risk for women too).

If you’re lucky, you might not notice any symptoms of varicose veins. But other patients visit vein centers in Long Island with a range of uncomfortable symptoms.

• Muscle cramps, soreness, and aching in your legs
• Protruding, contorted veins beneath the skin’s surface
• Itchy skin near the veins (venous eczema or stasis dermatitis)
• Swelling in your lower extremities after standing
• Recurrent leg fatigue or heaviness
• Tingling or crawling leg sensations (Restless Legs Syndrome)
• Spider veins in close proximity to varicose veins
• Brownish or bluish discoloration on legs or feet
• Inflammation of the fat layer under the skin (Lipodermatosclerosis)

Most commonly, varicose veins arise when you have an underlying disease called chronic venous insufficiency. This condition occurs when faulty valves in leg veins fail to keep blood flowing in a singular direction. Arteries pump blood away from the heart; veins pump it toward the heart. Leg veins must send blood only upward to prevent the backflow that causes varicosities. If a valve doesn’t fully close, that creates the pressure, pooling, or reflux (retrograde blood flow) that cause varicose veins. Less often, varicose veins form from injury to the vein or congenital abnormalities or inflammation (phlebitis) of the veins.