Varices on the legs
In addition to unsightly, varicose veins cause pain, cramps and heaviness. They are more frequent in women than in men and have a strong genetic component. But, in addition there are other causes such as pregnancy, the use of tight clothing, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, standing for a long time and the use of contraceptives.
Varicose veins appear when the veins are unable to establish an effective return of blood to the heart. The blood stagnates and gives rise to a very characteristic venous dilation that appears mainly in the lower limbs, although it can also occur in the waist, rectum (hemorrhoids) or even in the esophagus (esophageal varices).
The reason veins can not circulate blood normally is because of venous valve failure. These are located within the veins and their function is to allow the unidirectional flow of blood towards the heart and, in turn, prevent the flow back to the periphery. When the venous valves do not close well, the blood begins to accumulate and the veins swell, giving rise to varicose veins.
The varicose veins are manifested by a feeling of heaviness in the legs, pain, tiredness, tingling, heat sensation, cramps ... after its manifestation is clear and evident, appearing venous dilations and spider veins.
Causes of varicose veins
In addition to the hereditary propensity, there are circumstances that can lead to the appearance of varicose veins:
- The pregnancy It is a period that can lead to varicose veins, since it increases the venous pressure in the legs.
- The use of tight clothes, like very tight pants, they prevent a correct circulation of the blood. The heels can also promote its appearance.
- The obesity. People with thick legs require more blood supply from the arteries, which then has to be drained by the veins, which favors the overload of these and early failure.
- Sedentary lifestyle it does not favor muscle contraction or the putting into operation of the plantar pad, which causes greater stagnation of blood and a greater valvular overload, facilitating the appearance of varicose veins.
- Standing for a long time. There is little muscle exercise and, in addition, the return system must always work against gravity, since blood must rise from the legs to the heart.
- Contraceptives. They cause fluid retention and specifically favor the failure of the valves of the reticular veins. Due to the hormonal changes that these products cause, the morphology of the veins changes. Many women are clear that, coinciding with the taking of contraceptives, they began to develop the well-known spider veins.
Adviser.Doctor Rodrigo Rial, Phlebology specialist
