Spider Vein Risk Factors
They're those unpleasant-looking bulging veins that appear on the surface of the skin ... spider veins. Spider veins are one of the most common venous skin problems occurring among people throughout the country. In fact, in a recent study out of Southern California, it was reported that more than 33 percent of women and even 17 percent of men suffer from some sort of venous problem, with spider veins being the most prevalent of these conditions. If you're someone who has suffered with the unsightly appearance of spider veins, you're likely wondering what caused them. And if you don't have spider veins, you probably would like to know what you can do to prevent them. Following is information regarding the risk factors for developing spider veins, as well as tips on preventing their development in the future.
Age
Age is one of the major risk factors in developing spider veins. Most people who have spider veins developed them over the age of 40. That's why it's important for people to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight, especially as they approach middle age.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings with it hormonal changes that can be a risk factor in the development of spider veins. Of course, along with these hormonal changes can come weight gain during pregnancy, as well as the need for the heart to pump more blood. All of these factors put together can put a significant stress on veins.
Weight
Being overweight is another major factor in developing spider veins. Naturally, the more weight a person has on his body, the more pressure that's put on the legs and other areas of the body that contain veins. Again, maintain a healthy weight and exercise routinely.
Heredity
Genes can also be a big factor in developing spider veins. If you have a family member, especially a parent, who has spider veins, your risk of developing them is greater. If you mother or father has spider veins, your chances of getting them are higher, and that's why it's important for those with a hereditary predisposition to spider veins to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Birth control pills
Birth control pills and other medications that contain progesterone and estrogen can contribute to the development of spider veins, especially if they are taken over a prolonged period of time.
Prolonged standing or sitting
If you have a job that requires you to stand or sit for long periods of time, your risk of developing spider veins is much greater. If your job requires you to stand for prolonged periods, try to move around as much as possible in order to keep circulation going. If you have to sit for long periods of time, be sure to get up at least once an hour just to walk around for a few minutes in order to keep the blood flowing.
Hormonal changes
Just as with pregnancy, hormonal changes during puberty and menopause can be a risk factor in developing spider veins. Additionally, hormonal replacement therapy can also be a risk factor. Talk to your doctor if you're on hormone replacement to learn more about what you can do to prevent spider veins.
Injury
Injuries to the veins, especially in the legs, can lead to blood circulation problems, which can then lead to spider veins. If you've had an injury to the legs, it's important to perform physical therapy in order to keep blood flowing properly.
Sun damage
One of the risk factors that most folks probably don't even realize that can contribute to the development of spider veins is sun damage. If you're someone who loves spending as much time in the sun as possible, all those UV rays can lead to spider veins. When spending time in the sun, it's important that you use proper sunscreen not only on your face, arms, neck, etc. It's also important to use it on legs in order to minimize the risk of damage to the skin's surface.
Spider veins are pretty commonplace ... but they're not pretty. Nobody who has spider veins planned on getting them. And it's probably safe to say that nobody who doesn't have them wants to get them.
Age
Age is one of the major risk factors in developing spider veins. Most people who have spider veins developed them over the age of 40. That's why it's important for people to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight, especially as they approach middle age.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings with it hormonal changes that can be a risk factor in the development of spider veins. Of course, along with these hormonal changes can come weight gain during pregnancy, as well as the need for the heart to pump more blood. All of these factors put together can put a significant stress on veins.
Weight
Being overweight is another major factor in developing spider veins. Naturally, the more weight a person has on his body, the more pressure that's put on the legs and other areas of the body that contain veins. Again, maintain a healthy weight and exercise routinely.
Heredity
Genes can also be a big factor in developing spider veins. If you have a family member, especially a parent, who has spider veins, your risk of developing them is greater. If you mother or father has spider veins, your chances of getting them are higher, and that's why it's important for those with a hereditary predisposition to spider veins to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Birth control pills
Birth control pills and other medications that contain progesterone and estrogen can contribute to the development of spider veins, especially if they are taken over a prolonged period of time.
Prolonged standing or sitting
If you have a job that requires you to stand or sit for long periods of time, your risk of developing spider veins is much greater. If your job requires you to stand for prolonged periods, try to move around as much as possible in order to keep circulation going. If you have to sit for long periods of time, be sure to get up at least once an hour just to walk around for a few minutes in order to keep the blood flowing.
Hormonal changes
Just as with pregnancy, hormonal changes during puberty and menopause can be a risk factor in developing spider veins. Additionally, hormonal replacement therapy can also be a risk factor. Talk to your doctor if you're on hormone replacement to learn more about what you can do to prevent spider veins.
Injury
Injuries to the veins, especially in the legs, can lead to blood circulation problems, which can then lead to spider veins. If you've had an injury to the legs, it's important to perform physical therapy in order to keep blood flowing properly.
Sun damage
One of the risk factors that most folks probably don't even realize that can contribute to the development of spider veins is sun damage. If you're someone who loves spending as much time in the sun as possible, all those UV rays can lead to spider veins. When spending time in the sun, it's important that you use proper sunscreen not only on your face, arms, neck, etc. It's also important to use it on legs in order to minimize the risk of damage to the skin's surface.
Spider veins are pretty commonplace ... but they're not pretty. Nobody who has spider veins planned on getting them. And it's probably safe to say that nobody who doesn't have them wants to get them.