Spider veins are a frustrating sign of physical changes and age. Although they rarely cause any physical discomfort, they point to a need for a better focus on your health. Once you understand what causes spider veins, it is easy to determine what may have caused them and how to keep more from appearing.
Spider veins look like webs of blood just under the skin’s surface. They are small veins filled with pooled blood caused by malfunctioning valves in the vein. The valves in the vein keep blood going upward, back to the heart. These valves are constantly battling the force of gravity and physical issues, making their job very difficult. Over time the valves weaken and the result is a back flow of blood in small branches.
The most common causes of spider veins are age, obesity and hormonal fluctuations. The veins become weak over time, resulting in an increase of spider veins as we get older. Obesity puts unnecessary demand on the venous system, increasing the pressure on the veins, leading to an early weakening of the entire system. In addition to the weakening of the veins, age and obesity are usually connected to less physical activity. This causes less circulation and muscle strength. Both of these support the venous system and keep it strong. Hormonal fluctuations are believed to relax the vein walls, allowing for blood to pool. Factors, such as pregnancy and menopause, are causes for a significant percentage of spider veins. This explains the majority of those suffering from spider veins are women.
Additional causes of spider veins are genetics and employment. A family history for spider veins can indicate a future issue. Jobs that require long hours of sitting or standing may also lead to multiple spider veins. Since most spider veins are found on the legs, it is important to keep them moving. Those that stand for long periods of time should keep their feet up when resting. People that sit for hours at a desk should take breaks often to walk around and improve circulation.
Knowing what causes spider veins and paying attention to the factors that specifically apply to you can be powerful allies in fighting off these cosmetic frustrations. Some factors, such as hormone changes and age, are unavoidable. Good physical health helps the body fight against these inescapable weaknesses and slow down the appearance of spider veins.