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Article: Varicose Veins; Key Q&A.
- Article from:
- NWHRC Health Center - Varicose Veins
- Article date:
- March 17, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 National Women's Health Resource Center. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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* What causes varicose veins?
Both your leg muscles and valves within your veins work to get the used blood from your legs back up to your heart. When the valves stop working as well as they should--which can be caused by heredity, abdominal pressure, increased pressure from prolonged standing, obesity, hormonal changes, aging, and a number of other factors--the blood pools in the vein, stagnating there and causing the vein to bulge or twist.
* Are varicose veins dangerous, or just more of a cosmetic issue?
Although they can be painful and unsightly, superficial or visible varicose veins are usually harmless. If you are concerned, your health ...