What’s Causing My Varicose Veins?

Ever wondered what causes varicose veins? You’re not alone. One of the most common questions we get from our patients at the Flower Mound Vein Center is, “Why me?”

What people in Fort Worth, Texas should know about the causes of varicose veins.

To understand the causes of varicose veins, it helps to understand a little about how your veins work. Your arteries are responsible for transporting blood from the heart to all parts of the body. Your veins are responsible for returning the deoxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs, so it can be oxygenated again and start the cycle all over. In order to move the blood, your veins have strong walls and tiny valves that help keep the blood flowing in the right direction. The veins must perform this task of moving the blood up and down your body for a lifetime.

Fundamentally, varicose veins are caused by a weakening of the vein walls and valves, which is known as venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency can lead to blood pooling in the veins, causing distention and ultimately leading to the development of spider veins and varicose veins.

But what causes the weakening in the first place? Time is a big factor. The older we get, the more likely we are to suffer from vein problems, because gravity takes its toll on our circulatory system. Women suffer more vein disease than men, and pregnant women or women past menopause may also be at increased risk. Having a family history of vein disease also contributes to your risk – you may already know someone who has sought help from a spider vein center or other vein specialist.

Finally, lifestyle factors also play a role in how likely you are to need spider vein treatment or other vein disease treatments. If you are overweight or obese, that puts extra stress on your circulatory system, as does spending long periods of time on your feet.

Varicose vein treatments

The good news is that Dr. Robert Handley offers modern vein treatments to help you get rid of varicose veins quickly and easily, with no need to visit a hospital or undergo general anesthetics. All procedures are minimally invasive, meaning you’ll only need local anesthetics and you’ll be up and about the very same day as your treatment. The goal of most modern vein treatments is to close and seal off the problem veins, so that the body can reabsorb them and reroute the blood through healthier veins in the area. There are various procedures available to accomplish this, including sclerotherapy, ambulatory phlebectomy, and endovenous laser ablation (EVLT treatment). Each treatment has its own advantages, and some are better for spider veins while others are better for varicose veins. Your Flower Mound, TX spider vein doctor or varicose vein doctor will professionally assess your individual vein condition and will recommend the treatments that are best for you.
If you have questions about vein health, the cost of spider vein treatment, or the causes of varicose veins and spider veins, feel free to call Dr. Handley’s office to schedule a consultation. We’ll be happy to meet you and answer all your questions.