Risk factors
These factors increase your risk of developing varicose veins:
-
Age.
Varicose veins usually appear between ages 30 and 70 and get
progressively worse.
-
Sex.
Women are more likely than men are to develop the condition.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, premenstruation or menopause may
be a factor. Female hormones tend to relax vein walls. Taking
hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills may increase your
risk of varicose veins.
-
Genetics.
If other family members had varicose veins, there's a greater chance
you will too.
-
Obesity.
Being overweight puts added pressure on your veins.
-
Standing for
long periods of time.
Your blood doesn't flow as well if you're in the same position for
long periods.
When to seek medical advice
Self-help measures can help you ease the pain of varicose veins and may
prevent them from getting worse. But if you're concerned about how your
veins look and feel and self-care measures haven't stopped your
condition from getting worse, see your doctor.
Screening and diagnosis
In making a diagnosis, your doctor will examine your legs while you're
standing and will look for swelling. He or she may also ask you to
describe the pain and aching in your legs. Finally, your doctor may
perform an ultrasound test to see if there's any evidence of a blood
clot. Your primary care doctor may recommend that you see a doctor who
specializes in vein conditions (phlebology) or a doctor who treats skin
conditions (dermatologist or dermatology surgeon).
Complications
Sometimes, extremely painful ulcers may form on the skin near varicose
veins, particularly near the ankles. Ulcers are the result of long-term
"waterlogging" of these tissues, caused by increased pressure of blood
within affected veins. Brownish pigmentation usually precedes the
development of an ulcer. Ulcers require urgent medical attention.
