What Causes Varicose Veins?
Ideally, blood flows through the body supplying oxygen, nutrients, and actively removing toxins from the system through an intricate circulatory system made up of veins and arteries of varying sizes. However, in certain instances, the system is compromised such that the one-way valves that prevent backward flow fails and blood begins to collect in veins rather than moving onward toward the heart.
This leads to an increase in internal pressure, which causes the veins to enlarge. The condition mainly affects veins that are farthest from the heart since gravity makes upward flow of blood difficult. Twisting, swelling, and bulging may also occur and make the veins visible under the skin. This condition is called varicose veins. Varicose veins are twice as likely to occur in females than in males.
