actively protect your vein health<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
2. causes and risk factors of varicose veins (varicosis)<\/b><\/h2>\n
Varicose veins – known medically as varicose veins – do not develop suddenly. They usually develop <\/span>over many years<\/b> due to the interaction of several factors. The most common cause is a <\/span>congenital venous insufficiency<\/b> – but lifestyle, hormones, pregnancy, age and diseases such as thrombosis also play an important role.<\/span><\/p>\n2.1. Genetic venous insufficiency (primary varicosis)<\/b><\/h3>\n
The most common cause of varicose veins is <\/span>inherited weakness of the connective tissue<\/b>which affects the walls and valves of the veins. Many patients show: <\/span><\/p>\n\n- A <\/span>familial clustering<\/b>If parents or siblings are affected, the risk is significantly increased.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The <\/span>vein walls are less elastic<\/b>and the venous valves no longer close completely.<\/span><\/li>\n
- This leads to blood pooling in the superficial leg veins <\/span>sinks<\/b>instead of flowing back to the heart (reflux).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This form of varicosis is known as <\/span>primary<\/b> It occurs without any previous disease and affects about <\/span>80-90 % of cases<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n2.2. Lack of exercise and standing activities<\/b><\/h3>\n
Our venous return is dependent on muscle movement – especially in the legs. If we sit or stand for long periods, this return flow is impeded: <\/span><\/p>\n\n- The <\/span>muscle pump<\/b> of the calves (especially the soleus muscle) comes to a standstill.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The blood remains in the legs for longer – the veins gradually <\/span>gradually overstretch<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- People in professions with <\/span>a lot of standing or sitting<\/b> (e.g. sales assistants<\/span>salespeople, hairdressers<\/span><\/i>hairdressers, office workers).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Practical tip:<\/b> Regularly walking around, rocking your feet or lifting your calves while sitting activates the muscle pump and can significantly reduce the risk.<\/span><\/p>\n2.3. Pregnancy and hormonal changes<\/b><\/h3>\n
Varicose veins often occur for the first time <\/span>during pregnancy<\/b> for several reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Hormones<\/b> such as progesterone loosen the vessel walls to make the tissue more elastic.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The <\/span>blood volume increases by up to 50 %<\/b> – an enormous strain on the veins.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The growing uterus can compress the <\/span>compress the pelvic veins<\/b>which hinders the return flow from the legs.<\/span><\/li>\n
- In addition, the blood flow in the legs slows down, which also increases the risk of thrombosis.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Important:<\/b> Many pregnancy varicose veins disappear after the birth – but may persist or worsen with further pregnancies if you are predisposed to them.<\/span><\/p>\n2.4. Overweight and increased venous pressure<\/b><\/h3>\n
Obesity is a significant risk factor:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- The more body weight there is on the leg veins, the greater the <\/span>hydrostatic pressure<\/b> when standing.<\/span><\/li>\n
- In addition, there is a <\/span>mechanical strain<\/b> on the venous valves.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Visceral fat in the abdomen also acts like a compression belt on the pelvic veins – the return flow is congested.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Already a <\/span>body mass index (BMI) over 25<\/b> can measurably increase the risk of varicosis.<\/span><\/p>\n2.5. Other aggravating factors: smoking, age, medication<\/b><\/h3>\n
The following triggers also worsen vein function:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Smoking<\/b> directly damages the vascular walls – leading to loss of elasticity, microcirculatory disorders and inflammatory processes.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Age<\/b>With increasing age, the elasticity of the connective tissue decreases. The number of functioning venous valves also decreases.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Hormone preparations<\/b> (e.g. the pill, hormone replacement therapy) increase vein wall permeability and influence coagulation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Women are statistically more frequently affected – especially between <\/span>35 and 55 years<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n2.6. Secondary causes: Thrombosis and phlebitis<\/b><\/h3>\n
Not every varicosis is primary. There are also <\/span>secondary varicose veins<\/b>which occur as a result of other diseases:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)<\/b>A blocked or damaged deep vein in the leg can block the drainage – the pressure backs up into the superficial system.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Phlebitis (inflammation of the veins)<\/b>Inflamed vein sections can leave scars and valve insufficiency.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)<\/b> can be caused by both processes – with symptoms such as swelling, skin changes and ulcers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Secondary varicosis often occurs <\/span>unilateral<\/b>suddenly and in conjunction with other symptoms (e.g. pain, overheating) – and should be urgently clarified by a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n2.7. Why knowledge of causes is crucial<\/b><\/h3>\n
The causes of varicose veins are varied – but can often be influenced. If you recognize risk factors early and take targeted countermeasures, you can significantly slow down the development. <\/span><\/p>\nRecommended measures for prevention:<\/b><\/p>\n\n- Daily exercise and vein training<\/span><\/li>\n
- Avoid prolonged sitting or standing<\/span><\/li>\n
- Maintain a normal weight<\/span><\/li>\n
- Wear compression stockings at an early stage<\/span><\/li>\n
- Quit smoking and conscious use of hormone preparations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In the next section you will find out <\/span>which symptoms indicate varicosis<\/b> – and what you should look out for in everyday life in order to react early.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Chronic](\"https:\/\/venaziel.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/painful-varicose-veins-on-active-woman-removed-by-venaseal-method-in-berlin.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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3. symptoms and complaints of varicose veins (varicosis)<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
3.1. Visible tortuous veins as the first sign<\/b><\/h3>\n
Varicose veins (medical term: varicosis) often first become apparent through <\/span>visible, tortuous veins<\/b> noticeable. Typically, bluish-purplish colorations appear on the calves or inner sides of the legs, <\/span>uneven veins under the skin<\/span><\/a> emerge. Initially, these dilated veins are mainly a cosmetic problem and cause <\/span>No or hardly any complaints<\/b>. However, many sufferers find the nodular, thickened veins disturbing and avoid showing their legs in public, for example.<\/span><\/p>\nHeavy, tired legs and a feeling of tension<\/b><\/h4>\n
As the venous disease progresses, the following often occur <\/span>heavy, tired legs<\/b> on. Those affected report that their legs feel particularly sore after prolonged standing or sitting. <\/span>lead heavy<\/span><\/i> and tire more quickly. Often a <\/span>Feeling of tension or pulling<\/b> in the calves. These symptoms typically become more noticeable towards the evening if the legs have been strained during the day. <\/span>Standing for long periods<\/b> – for example at work – further exacerbates the symptoms. Many patients then complain of <\/span>\u201cheavy legs\u201d<\/span><\/i> and an unpleasant feeling of pressure. <\/span>Pain in the legs<\/b> may also occur, usually as a dull ache or burning sensation along the affected vein. Elevating the legs (e.g. on the sofa in the evening) or exercise usually provides relief. <\/span><\/p>\n