Leg Veins & Facial Veins

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Leg Veins & Facial Veins
07/25/2007
Modesto Laser

What causes spider veins and varicose veins?
The heart pumps blood filled with oxygen and nutrients to the whole body. Arteries carry blood from the heart towards the body parts. Veins carry blood from the body back to the heart.

The squeezing of leg muscles pumps blood back to the heart from the lower body. Veins have valves that act as one-way flaps. These valves prevent the blood from flowing backwards as it moves up the legs. If the one-way valves become weak, blood can leak back into the vein and collect there. This problem is called venous insufficiency. Pooled blood enlarges the vein and it becomes varicose.

Spider veins can also be caused by the backup of blood. Hormone changes, inherited factors, and exposure to the sun can also cause spider veins.



Who has varicose veins and spider veins?
Many factors increase a person's chances of developing varicose or spider veins. These include:

Increasing Age
Having family members with vein problems or being born with weak vein valves
Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone also increase the risk of varicose or spider veins
Pregnancy. During pregnancy there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding uterus also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months after delivery. A growing number of abnormal veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy
Obesity, leg injury, prolonged standing and other things that weaken vein valves
Sun exposure, which can cause spider veins on the cheeks or nose of a fair-skinned person


Why do spider veins & varicose veins usually appear in the legs?
The force of gravity, the pressure of body weight, and the task of carrying blood from the bottom of the body up to the heart make legs the primary location for varicose and spider veins. Compared with other veins in the body, leg veins have the toughest job of carrying blood back to the heart. They endure the most pressure. This pressure can be stronger than the veins' one-way valves.



How can I prevent spider veins & varicose veins?
Not all varicose and spider veins can be prevented. But some things can reduce your chances of getting new varicose and spider veins. These same things can help ease discomfort from the ones you already have:

Wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun and to limit spider veins on the face.
Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength. Focus