What are varicose veins and spider veins? |
How common are abnormal leg veins? |
What causes varicose and spider veins? |
Why do varicose and spider veins usually appear in the legs? |
Are varicose and spider veins painful or dangerous? |
How can I prevent varicose and spider veins? |
Should I see a doctor about varicose veins? |
How are varicose and spider veins treated? |
Can varicose and spider veins return even after treatment?
Varicose
Veins and Spider Veins
The
heart pumps blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. Arteries
carry blood from the heart towards the body parts, while veins carry blood from
the body parts back to the heart. As the blood is pumped back to the heart, veins
act as one-way valves to prevent the blood from flowing backwards. If the one-way
valve becomes weak, some of the blood can leak back into the vein, collect there,
and then become congested or clogged. This congestion will cause the vein to abnormally
enlarge. These enlarged veins can be either varicose veins or spider veins. Varicose
veins are very swollen and raised above the surface of the skin. They are dark
purple or blue in color, and can look like cords or very twisted and bulging.
They are found most often on the backs of the calves or on the inside of the leg,
anywhere from the groin to the ankle. During pregnancy, varicose veins called
hemorrhoids can form in the vagina or around the anus. Spider
veins are similar to varicose veins, but they are smaller, are often red or blue
in color, and are closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They
can look like a tree branch or spider web with their short jagged lines. Spider
veins can be found on both the legs and the face. They can cover either a very
small or very large area of skin.
What are varicose veins and spider veins? |
How common are abnormal leg veins? |
What causes varicose and spider veins? |
Why do varicose and spider veins usually appear in the legs? |
Are varicose and spider veins painful or dangerous? |
How can I prevent varicose and spider veins? |
Should I see a doctor about varicose veins? |
How are varicose and spider veins treated? |
Can varicose and spider veins return even after treatment?
Womenshealth.gov
http://www.4woman.gov
More
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