Pregnancy: The one physiological condition where spider veins do become prominent is pregnancy. Many women develop spider veins on the face and lower thigh in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. This is linked to increased levels of estrogen, weight gain, and fluid retention. The increased fluid leads to engorgement of small veins that start to appear dark blue.
Estrogen is known to weaken walls of veins and also impairs function of valves which control blood flow. The increased fluid retention during pregnancy leads to stretching of the tiny veins that start to become more obvious.
Spider veins also become more prominent on lower legs and thigh during the 3rd trimester because the increased pressure from the fetus places pressure on the tiny veins. Often, these small veins rupture and appear as blue blotches. If a female has developed spider veins in the first pregnancy, she will likely develop more spider veins during subsequent pregnancies. Once pregnancy has ended, spider veins do lighten in color but do not always completely disappear.
Prolonged standing: Individuals who stand on their feet all day are prone to development of spider veins. The prolonged standing leads to pooling of blood in leg veins and this leads to engorgement of tiny veins. With standing, the leg muscles do not contract, hence blood does not move up to the heart. As pressure builds up, veins become more prominent and occasionally rupture and appear as bluish spots.
Prolonged sitting: Individuals who are in occupations where they sit all the time are also prone to development of spider veins. The prolonged sitting leads to muscle inactivity, blood pooling and engorgement of veins. Once you start to walk, muscles squeeze the excess blood which then starts to recirculate. Walking also drops pressure in the legs.
Showing posts with label star veins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label star veins. Show all posts
Monday, May 4, 2009
What Causes spider veins?
What are spider veins?
Spider veins are a real nuisance. These tiny small veins appear just below the surface of skin and are very common. They are called spider because the vein has a very dark center with linear radiating lines circumferentially. Spider veins are also known as “star” veins or telengiectasias. One can have just one spider vein or many such skin lesions. It is estimated that close to 60% of the population develops spider veins at some point in their lives.
Where do spider veins generally occur?
In most cases, spider veins appear on the face (especially around the nose and cheeks). On the leg, spider veins are most common around the back of thighs.
Why do docs talk a lot about spider veins?
Am sorry to say, but MDs who hype about spider veins are clueless and only want your money. Spider veins are only a cosmetic nuisance and cause no harm. They are not life threatening.
Why do spider veins occur?
The exact cause is not known but there are several risk factors:
Age: Spider veins are extremely rare in children and young adults. As we age, spider veins do start to appear. In most cases, spider veins first appear in the 3rd/4th decade of life. As humans get older, almost everyone develops spider veins. Elderly individuals who have delicate and fragile skin easily develop spider veins from minimal trauma.
Genetics: Even though it is known that spider veins do run in families, the exact gene and type of linkage inheritance is unknown. The genetic linkage is stronger for females than males. There is no known medical disorder that has been associated with an increased frequency of spider veins
Spider veins are a real nuisance. These tiny small veins appear just below the surface of skin and are very common. They are called spider because the vein has a very dark center with linear radiating lines circumferentially. Spider veins are also known as “star” veins or telengiectasias. One can have just one spider vein or many such skin lesions. It is estimated that close to 60% of the population develops spider veins at some point in their lives.
Where do spider veins generally occur?
In most cases, spider veins appear on the face (especially around the nose and cheeks). On the leg, spider veins are most common around the back of thighs.
Why do docs talk a lot about spider veins?
Am sorry to say, but MDs who hype about spider veins are clueless and only want your money. Spider veins are only a cosmetic nuisance and cause no harm. They are not life threatening.
Why do spider veins occur?
The exact cause is not known but there are several risk factors:
Age: Spider veins are extremely rare in children and young adults. As we age, spider veins do start to appear. In most cases, spider veins first appear in the 3rd/4th decade of life. As humans get older, almost everyone develops spider veins. Elderly individuals who have delicate and fragile skin easily develop spider veins from minimal trauma.
Genetics: Even though it is known that spider veins do run in families, the exact gene and type of linkage inheritance is unknown. The genetic linkage is stronger for females than males. There is no known medical disorder that has been associated with an increased frequency of spider veins
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
