Spider veins are one of the many problems related to veins that people face. This problem can be the result of pregnancy, changes in hormones, aging, alterations in diet and a long list of reasons. The one thing that remains the same is the fact that spider veins can alter how you and people around you perceive you. These veins can make you look less attractive, make you self-conscious of your image and fuel the fires of gossip among your friends, family and co-workers.
The good news is that spider veins are relatively harmless in most cases. There are a number of treatments designed to quickly and effectively eliminate them. It is beneficial to look at some of the most common causes of spider veins to better understand how this condition develops.
The Root Cause: Venous Insufficiency
The common cause of spider veins tends to be venous insufficiency. This is a condition where the veins are unable to push a suitable amount of blood through them, which in turn results in heightened blood pressure in the vein.
As the blood pressure increases, the veins begin to stretch out to accommodate this extra pressure. This is why spider veins become more visible as time progresses. The thing to understand about venous insufficiency is that there are many causes of it.
1. High Blood Pressure
The most common cause of venous insufficiency and spider veins is high blood pressure. This condition directly correlates with the likelihood that someone will develop spider veins, varicose veins and other conditions related to venous insufficiency.
The reason high blood pressure is so problematic revolves around the way it adds additional pressure to the veins. This results in defects developing, which in turn results in the appearance of vein problems.
2. Hormone Changes
Hormone changes, such as the type that occur while taking birth control or undergoing pregnancy, can result in spider veins and other vein-related conditions. The reason for this pertains to the way the hormones can affect how the body responds to certain situations. The veins may be more willing to stretch, blood pressure may remain heightened and certain hormones may trigger genetic predispositions to spider veins.
3. Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease tends to be another common cause of spider veins. This condition tends to result in the narrowing of veins and arteries, which in turn may substantially increase blood pressure while making the veins less able to withstand deformation.
Treating cardiovascular disease so that it is controlled will often help to reduce the severity of these veins while controlling a number of related conditions.
4. Stress
Stress involves the prolonged and heightened presence of stress-related hormones, the most dramatic of which is adrenaline. This results in heightened blood pressure while restricting the body’s ability to repair and maintain itself.
Controlling the Causes and Symptoms
The good news about the symptoms listed above is that they can be controlled. Doing so will help to reduce the severity of existing spider veins, and reduce the chances that they will occur again. At Cardiology Consultants of Southwest Florida and The Vein Center in Fort Myers, we can work with you to develop the most effective plan for removing your spider veins. Contact us today to schedule your consultation to learn more.
