Varicose veins and spider veins are abnormal, swollen, and enlarged blood vessels that can be seen through the skin. It is the result of damaged valves and walls of veins.
These are twisted veins and forms due to the increase of the pressure of blood inside the veins. The venous insufficiency is related to these veins and is commonly visible in legs and face. It forms a blood clot and also sometimes leads to reverse blood flow. Standing or sitting for a long period can create this condition.
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What Condition Is Associated With Varicose Veins And Spider Veins?
Deoxygenated blood is carried by veins back to the heart. The veins just below the surface of the skin of legs collect and transmit blood to the veins deep inside the calf muscles. The calves with their muscular action pump the blood back to the heart against gravity.
The valves inside it restrict blood to flow backward in this process. If these valves do not work correctly, then tension in veins creates blood pools and abnormal structures, forming varicose and spider veins.
The basic difference between Spider veins and Varicose veins
Spider veins are a smaller form of varicose veins and have a thickness of 1mm appearing in red and purple colors. It appears like a tiny spider web visible through the skin. Spider veins are less harmful than varicose veins, and the treatment of this is generally cosmetic. If the spider veins turn into varicose veins, then it can be a serious concern.
Varicose veins are tangled and twisted dark blue veins that appear just under the skin. Generally, these veins bulge out inside the skin and make legs painful to walk. It creates discomfort with heaviness and swelling. It can also lead to non-healing blood clots or sores. The treatment of these varicose veins is highly important before the situation worsens.
Symptoms of Spider Veins and Varicose Veins
Many people suffer from spider and varicose veins. Women are more likely to have these veins than men. It happens more in older people, pregnant women, menopause, and also because of high weight gain. Standing or sitting for a longer time worsens the symptoms. Some visible symptoms of these veins include
- Inflammation, swelling, cramping in the muscle are clear symptoms in these patients.
- Discoloration of the skin happens around the bulging veins.
- Heaviness and pain occur around the vein area.
- A sensation of itching in the surrounding of veins.
- Stains and spots on the surface of the skin mainly due to eruption of blood veins.
- Serious varicose veins can lead to bleeding as the veins close to skin bursts.
- Ulcers in the skin are also possible in varicose veins.
Causes of Spider and Varicose Veins:-
Blood pools in the veins prevent the normal functionality of blood flow. The blood restricted in the valves builds pressure, which weakens the vein walls. Thus, the walls expand, creating a bulge in the skin and forms spider and varicose veins.
Numerous risk factors are associated with these veins, and because of these factors, the formation of varicose and spider veins occur.
- Overweight:
It is one of the important reasons for varicose veins. Excessive weight puts pressure on the veins. The more the pressure builds up, the more veins expand, and the chances of a blood clot become high.
- Pregnancy:
Changes in hormones and an increase in blood volume during pregnancy harm the veins of the legs. Blood flow increase is good for the fetus but becomes bad for the vein walls. The added pressure of blood creates spider and varicose veins in pregnant women.
- Aging creates varicose veins and spider veins:
Varicose and spider veins generally happen to older people. Wear and tear of the veins happen after an age. So, the abnormal flow of blood happens, which creates such veins.
- Pressure on the legs for a long time:
Using legs for a long time does not allow the blood to flow well. Standing or sitting in the same position also restricts the proper blood flow.
- Heredity:
If any family member has varicose veins or restricted veins, then there is also a high chance of you getting these veins.
Prevention
A complete cure of varicose and spider veins is not possible. But the improvement in the circulation of blood can help in preventing it. Certain measures to avoid varicose and spider veins include:
- Consuming healthy food and maintaining a diet will reduce your gain in weight.
- Exercise will make your body function work properly.
- Avoid standing or sitting in a place for a long time.
- Avoid wearing tight body sleeves for too long.
- Extending legs time to time for better circulation of blood.
Varicose veins are extremely painful than spider veins. If the condition of varicose veins gets worse, then treatment by consulting a doctor becomes necessary.