What Causes Varicose Veins and When to Get Treatment

If you have varicose veins, you might be self-conscious about the appearance of your legs. Many people who develop these varicosities find themselves choosing pants over shorts and wishing they could return to clear, smooth skin. 

Residents of McAllen, Rio Grande City, and Raymondville, Texas, have access to outstanding vein care through Laser Surgical Solutions RGV, PLLC. If you’re thinking about exploring your treatment options for varicose veins, John Hovorka, MD, or Cynthia Salinas, MD, are here to offer professional guidance. 

Let’s look at how your veins normally function

Every time your heart beats, it pumps oxygenated blood into your arteries, where it then moves from your torso into your extremities (arms, legs, and head). This blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to every cell, tissue, and organ in your body. 

The “used” blood then travels back to your heart for the process to repeat itself. Veins play an essential role in your circulatory system by moving deoxygenated blood back to your heart. Unlike the heartbeats that propel blood out to your extremities, veins in your legs rely on your muscles to create a pumping action that moves blood upward, against gravity. 

When you consider the constant flow of blood through your body every day and the demands placed on your circulatory system, it’s surprising that varicose veins aren’t even more common. 

What goes wrong to cause varicose veins?

Your veins contain a series of tiny valves that open to allow blood to move toward your heart, then close to prevent it from flowing backward. When one or more of these valves becomes damaged, blood pools behind the valve, expanding the walls of that section of vein. 

This creates the twisted, bulging, dark appearance of varicose veins. They aren’t normally dangerous, as your body re-routes blood flow through healthier nearby veins. But they can be unsightly, and don’t often resolve without treatment. 

Some people develop varicose veins without any clear cause. Researchers note that genetics, obesity, or long periods of time spent sitting or standing can increase your chances of vein abnormalities. Women tend to get varicose veins more frequently than men, and older people are more likely to notice varicose veins than young adults. 

When to seek treatment for varicose veins

Let’s begin by taking a look at the aesthetic components of varicose veins. Some people only notice red or purple lines beneath the surface of their skin. For others, varicose veins create raised areas on the skin that look a lot like twisted cording. 

Spider veins, which are simply smaller blocked veins that don’t usually bulge, can develop near varicose veins, further changing the appearance of your skin. If you’re unhappy with the way your varicose veins look, treatment can lessen their appearance or even completely eliminate visible varicose veins. 

Some people find varicose veins to be uncomfortable. It’s possible to develop an aching or heavy sensation in your legs, or to experience muscle cramping, itching, or swelling in the affected area. Finding the right treatment path can relieve these symptoms. 

Treatment options include compression socks, injection therapy, laser therapy, or surgical vein removal. Your treatment plan is shaped by your specific needs and treatment goals. 

Ready to get rid of unwanted varicose veins?

If you’re ready to look into treatment options for varicose veins, our Laser Surgical Solutions, RGV, PLLC, team is here to offer expert guidance. Reach us online or over the phone to book an appointment at one or our offices in McAllen, Rio Grande City, or Raymondville, Texas, today.