WHAT
CAUSES VARICOSE VEINS?
WHAT IS VEIN INSUFFICIENCY?
Blood in our arteries and veins is subject to the pull of
gravity. In arteries, that pull is negligible because the pressure generated by our heart
greatly overcomes it. In veins, blood pressure is minimal, (about 0-5 vs. about 120 in
arteries) and the pull of gravity is therefore significant. This leads to pooling of blood
in dependent areas of the body (legs  and feet for those of us who spend much of the day
upright). The tendency of blood to pool in the legs should be counteracted by the action
of valves within the veins that only allow blood to flow in one direction (back to the
heart). For many reasons these valves can 'wear out' and leak. This is called valve
incompetence. Although it is more common in women, valve incompetence also affects many
men. Incompetence is induced particularly by hormonal cycles and pressure changes related
to pregnancy. It also is made worse by occupations and lifestyles that require prolonged
standing in place. Heredity is also a component.
As valves fail, the vein segments below them are exposed to higher pressure. The next
valve in the chain then fails, and so on until there are areas of vein that have much
higher than normal pressure within them. This causes the delicate, thin-walled surface
veins to dilate, much like a balloon. The vein may leak blood or blood pigments out into
surrounding tissues or it may even rupture. This can lead to ulcer formation or excessive
bleeding.
We cannot cure the pull of
gravity! Once the valves have
become incompetent, they cannot be fixed. Yet the problems caused by chronic vein disease
are very treatable. As with most incurable medical conditions, this treatment involves
many different therapy types, or modalities.
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