Causes
Doctors aren't sure of the exact cause of varicose veins because of the complex nature of veins, the body's blood circulation system, and other body processes that affect the way veins work. What's known for sure is that the valves that push blood through the varicose veins stop working properly, causing blood to collect in areas in the veins. The veins then expand and the blood in them begins flowing in reverse. New evidence suggests varicose veins may be veins that are naturally weak, a condition that could be inherited. This could explain why varicose veins seem to run in families.
Other factors can make varicose veins appear or get worse:
- going through a pregnancy
- standing for long periods of time
- being overweight
- age - they appear more often as people grow older
- sex - they are more common in women
More rarely, varicose veins can be symptoms of serious health problems such as tumors in the pelvis.