Weight Loss And Health Care

Once you know what is causing your varicose veins and spider veins, it is much easier to successfully treat the condition. Save yourself a lot of time and energy needlessly trying methods that don't work and restore your legs to their former beauty. You have a better chance of fixing leg vein problems when you understand what causes them.

11 common causes of varicose and spider veins are:

1. Aging - Aging is the most important cause of unhealthy legs. Frequent hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and menopause cause many older women to lose elasticity and tone in leg veins.
2. Diet - Poor diet is a another major factor causing loss of skin elasticity. The result of nutritional deficiencies is decreased leg circulation causing legs and ankles to swell possibly resulting in leg vein problems.
3. Genetics - If your mother, father, brother or sister have varicose veins, spider veins or tired legs, you may be more likely than those with no family history of these symptoms to develop the condition.
4. Poorly functioning valves - One-way valves in the deep veins of the legs prevent backward flow of blood within the vein. If they are functioning poorly, blood flows the wrong way from the deep to the superficial veins which become enlarged, twisted and bulging.
5. Pregnancy - In order to support the growing fetus during pregnancy, blood flow is increased in your body, however the flow is decreased from your legs to your pelvis. This increases pressure on leg veins and may weaken them. Added weight gain during pregnancy may put a strain on leg veins.
6. Heavy lifting - Repeated heavy lifting interferes with good leg circulation and increases the likelihood of vein problems developing in the future.
7. Sitting or standing - Standing and walking upright for long periods of time can increase pressure in your leg veins and in your lower body. That is the reason the veins most commonly affected are those in your lower legs and feet.
8. Obesity - Excessive weight gain puts pressure on the legs, increasing the likelihood of developing varicose veins. Tall, obese women are more likely to develop venous problems or experience tired, painful legs.
9. Lack of Exercise - Lack of exercise such as walking, swimming or bicycling for instance, can result in added pressure on veins and poor blood circulation in the legs.
10. Tight Clothing - High heels and garments that are tight, especially around the waist can restrict your venous blood flow causing pooling of blood and poor circulation in lower legs and ankles.
11. Smoking - If you smoke be aware that it contributes to elevated blood pressure, which can aggravate existing vein and leg problems.

Any or all of these common causes could be affecting you adversely. If you want to know exactly what is causing your leg vein condition, a simple ultrasound can tell you. Unfortunately, no medical treatment can prevent new veins from becoming swollen or painful. Before undergoing any procedure, ask your doctor about any health risks and possible side effects.

In many cases, varicose and spider veins are simply a cosmetic concern and can be reduced and flattened using natural treatments so that they are not noticeable. Even ulcerated veins respond extremely well to natural treatments that contain natural healing herbal infusions. Nature can heal us and return our legs to their original beauty and attractiveness.

Alternative therapies continue to be the method of choice for most people. Surgical procedures tend to be quite invasive and costly. In a recent issue of Canadian Living Magazine, natural creams such as the one made by Venus Naturals was highlighted as one way to get rid of varicose veins.

Francine, co-owner of Venus Naturals, has been working with a master herbalist and an aromatherapist since 1996 to develop natural, effective solutions to reduce and eliminate varicose and spider veins. For more information on varicose vein treatment visit the Venus Naturals website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francine_Davidovich