Severe pain in the legs when standing for a long time, feeling of heaviness, swelling in the feet, and stiff veins that are swollen and distended in blue or dark purple color—these are the main symptoms of varicose veins. Veins are the blood vessels that return the impure blood in our body to the heart. Varicose veins occur when these veins in the legs are damaged. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind varicose veins:
Venous Valve Insufficiency: When blood flows upward from the legs (to the heart), there are small valves inside the veins that open only in one direction to prevent it from flowing back down due to gravity. But when these valves become weak, the blood does not go up but goes back down and accumulates in the veins in the legs. This scientific phenomenon is the main reason for varicose veins.
Prolonged Standing or Sitting: Teachers, traffic policemen, kitchen workers, and IT employees who sit for long hours are at high risk of developing varicose veins. Standing or sitting for long hours reduces the movement of the leg muscles. This reduces the ability of the calf muscle pump to pump blood to the heart and causes blood to pool in the legs.
Hormonal Changes & Pregnancy: Varicose veins are more common in women than men. The hormone progesterone in women tends to relax the walls of the blood vessels. In addition, the increase in blood volume during pregnancy and the growing uterus pressing on the major veins in the abdomen double the pressure on the veins in the legs, leading to varicose veins.
Genetics & Family History: Heredity plays a major role in the development of varicose veins. If parents or other family members have this disease, the next generation of individuals are more likely to have congenital weakness of the walls and valves of the blood vessels.
Aging & Obesity: As we age, the elasticity of the blood vessels and the strength of the valves naturally decrease. Also, when weight increases excessively (Obesity), it puts a lot of pressure on the veins in the abdomen and legs. This makes it difficult for blood to flow back to the heart.
