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What Causes Spider/Varicose Veins?
- Circulation Problems – Arteries carry blood from your heart to the entire body. Veins recirculate the blood from you body back to the heart. Leg veins have a harder job returning blood to the heart since they must force blood upward against gravity.
- Age – As we age, our veins lose elasticity and become weaker which causes the blood that should be reaching your heart to floe in the opposite direction. Blood begins to pool, enlarge and become varicose veins. Veins that become blue are due to deoxygenated blood.
- Pregnancy – Pregnancy can cause varicose or spider veins. The circulation of blood changes to support the growing fetus which can cause spider veins.
- Family History – If you hve immediate family members with vein problems, the greater your chance of developing spider/varicose veins.
- Occupations – that involve long periods of standing or sitting may cause blood to pool in the legs.
- Hormonal changes – during puberty or pregnancy.
- Lower leg swelling – usually caused from prolonged sitting.