Varicose veins are a condition in which the veins in the legs become swollen and appear blue or dark red. This is due to the malfunction of the valves in the veins that carry blood to the heart. The main causes are:
Prolonged standing or sitting: People who stand for hours at a time due to work (for example, teachers, security guards, police) and those who sit for long periods of time are likely to have blood pooling in the veins in the legs. This puts excessive pressure on the valves.
Aging: As we age, the elasticity of the blood vessels decreases and the valves become weaker. This causes blood to pool in the veins instead of flowing to the heart.
Obesity and lack of exercise: As we gain weight, the pressure on the veins in the legs increases. Lack of regular exercise slows down blood circulation in the legs and increases the risk of varicose veins.
Hormonal changes and pregnancy: Hormonal changes in women during pregnancy cause the walls of blood vessels to become loose. In addition, the growth of the fetus obstructs blood flow to the veins in the legs, as well as hereditary factors.
Heredity: If someone in the family has varicose veins, the risk of developing them is more than 50 percent. The strength of the veins and valves is genetically determined.