What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose Veins Overview

Varicose veins develop when the valves deep within the venous system aren’t functioning properly, allowing blood to pool in the veins, thus enlarging them. While many people seek varicose vein procedures for cosmetic purposes, the medical necessity to treat them is of utmost importance, as vein disease will not heal or go away itself, and the condition will only worsen with time when left untreated. Symptoms such as swelling, chronic leg pain, ulcers and bleeding may be signs of a serious health issue as a result of untreated vein disease.

Dr. Craig Schwartz at Premier Vein & Body by Schwartz in Kansas City uses the latest technologies to evaluate and diagnose your condition to ensure you receive the best possible cosmetic and medical results. All varicose vein procedures are performed in-office, under minimally invasive conditions, with little downtime.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Affecting an estimated one-quarter of the US population, varicose veins appear as dark, branching, protruding veins along the legs. Once varicose veins develop, the affected veins no longer function as they should. Instead of carrying blood up and out of the leg, blood flows backward toward the feet.

Varicose veins don’t return to normal without treatment and can cause further medical issues, including:

• Skin discoloration
• Swelling
• Skin thickening
• Chronic leg pain
• Eczema-like symptoms
• Infections
• Bleeding
• Ulcerations 
• Muscle cramping

Since 2003, Premier Vein and Body by Schwartz has helped patients eliminate their varicose veins, performing over 12,000 vein treatment procedures in the Kansas City area. Dr. Craig Schwartz holds triple board certifications in vascular surgery, general surgery and phlebology and provides all vein disease diagnosis and treatment procedures himself. 

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Many factors can predispose you to developing varicose veins, which are actually the visible symptoms that there are deficiencies deep within your venous system. The venous system is the network of veins in your body that deliver deoxygenated blood back to the heart. 

Conditions that can impact your venous system and cause varicose veins to develop include:

• Your age – as veins age, the valves that channel blood up the leg become weak
• Gender – women are at higher risk
• Pregnancy – changes in hormones, increased blood volume and decreased blood flow all contribute to vein problems
• Genetics – varicose veins are hereditary
• Weight – varicose veins are more likely to develop in obese patients
• Lifestyle – a lifestyle that requires either standing on your feet all day or sitting all day is bad for your venous health