* Ninety percent of the "used" blood traveling from your legs back to your chest is carried by the deep veins located within the muscles. Vein abnormalities here aren't visible, but can be painful or even result in dangerous blood clots.
* The other 10 percent of the blood returning to your heart travels through veins closer to the surface; varicose veins here can be visibly swollen, knotted, twisted or bulging.
* According to the
* As women age, they are more likely to develop varicose veins: 41 percent of women aged 40 to 50 years old have varicose veins, increasing to 72 percent of women aged 60 to 70 (and 43 percent of men who are 70). Also as women age, varicose veins become more visibly pronounced.
* Spider veins, also referred to as telangiectasia or broken capillaries, are formed by the dilation of a small group of blood vessels located close to the surface of the skin and are most commonly found on the legs and face. They look like red or purple sunbursts, branched or web patterns.
* Women are up to four times more likely than men to develop varicose veins; up to 50 percent of American women may be affected, according to the
* Pregnant women often develop varicose veins for a number of reasons: In addition to hormonal changes, pregnancy causes both an increased volume of blood and increased pressure from the abdomen, which in turn cause veins to enlarge. The good news is varicose veins due to pregnancy often improve within three months after delivery. However, with successive pregnancies, these abnormal veins are more likely to remain.
* Varicose veins aren't just a cosmetic concern. They can also pose a health risk and are associated with the development of skin ulcers; phlebitis, which is an inflammation of the vein; or blood clots.
* Though it may require several sessions and the veins may fade only gradually, sclerotherapy, a procedure performed in a health care professional's office, can result in up to a 90 percent improvement in the appearance of varicose or spider veins.
* While there are several treatment options for small varicose veins and spider veins, large varicose veins may require radiofrequency or laser-induced closure and/or surgery.
"Spider and varicose veins." American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. http://www.asds-net.org/FactSheets/spider_vericose_veins.html. 2002. Accessed Aug. 2003.
Varicose Veins and Spider Veins. The National Women's
Editorial Staff of the National Women's Health Resource Center 2002/04/15 2005/03/17 Your body has two types of blood vessels: arteries carry oxygen- and nutrient-rich red blood from your heart to your muscles and organs, while veins are tasked with returning the "used" bluish blood back to your heart. The deep veins located beneath the muscles carry 90 percent of the blood traveling from your legs back to your chest. The other 10 percent flows through veins located closer to the surface, often visible, and less well supported. Arteries,Capillaries,Phlebitis,Thrombosis,Varicose veins,Varicosity,Veins,Vessels
Information resources:
National Women's Health Resource Center
Gale Group
Varicose Vein Information Website
