Varicose veins are enlarged veins that are usually blue or red. Spider veins look a lot like varicose veins, the only difference is that they are smaller. Both spider and varicose veins can lead to pain, swelling, skin irritation, and rashes. Thankfully, both can be treated at our vein clinic in Ottawa.
If you’re dealing with varicose or spider veins, you have probably asked yourself why it’s happening. Basically, spider and varicose veins happen because something inside the vein has been damaged. Your veins have valves. The valves are designed to allow blood to flow in one direction. Every time your heart beats, oxygen is provided to your blood. The oxygen-rich blood is then distributed throughout your body. This work is done by your arteries. Your veins are your body’s blood return system. Your veins have to fight gravity as they pump blood back to your heart. This is where those one-way valves come in. Their job is to prevent gravity from pulling blood backward. Unfortunately, the valves in your veins can become weak, so gravity starts to pull blood back and the blood pools in your veins. This is where spider veins come from.
You may also develop spider veins because you’ve had some trauma, because your skin has been exposed to the sun, or because of fluctuations in hormones. Spider and varicose veins affect more women than men. And these vein issues are more commonly seen in people who are 50 years of age or over.
In addition to age, things such as your medical history will play a role in whether or not you develop spider or varicose veins. Some people in Ottawa are just born with weak vein valves. If you look at your family and your mother or your sisters have varicose and/or spider veins, it’s likely that you will develop them too.
Hormonal changes, such as those one goes through during pregnancy, menopause, or puberty, can lead to the development of spider and varicose veins. Other things such as taking oral birth control can lead to the creation of varicose veins. Obesity and varicose and spider veins go hand-in-hand. This is because when you’re overweight, you’re putting a lot of extra pressure on your veins. This extra pressure, in turn, causes your veins to become varicose.
Lack of movement is another cause of spider and varicose veins. If you’re sitting for a long period of time, and especially if your legs are bent, your veins and your heart are working overtime to get the blood from your feet back to your heart. If you need to sit for extended periods of time, try not to sit with your legs bent or crossed.
Make an appointment at Canada Vein Clinics to see what your options are regarding vein treatment. We have locations in Ottawa, Halifax, Richmond Hill, Orleans, Moncton, Vaughan, Kawartha Lakes, Kanata, Dartmouth, and Toronto. Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
