Bulging veins, also called varicose veins, are abnormally enlarged veins that may appear right at the surface of a person’s skin or fairly close to it. Many people have heard of varicose veins in a person’s legs, but they can show up on other parts of the body as well. In fact, varicose veins may be found on a person’s abdomen, chest, and arms. They may even develop on a person’s face and hands.
When veins are visible from the surface of the skin and appear to be bulging, they are referred to as varicose veins. They appear to be bulging because blood has pooled within them instead of circulating through the veins as it should. These bulging veins are often quite long and wide, and can measure at diameters of more than four millimeters (.16 inches). They are not only visible, but also palpable, which means a person can feel them with his hand.
Anyone can develop bulging veins, but some people are more prone to them than others. The most frequent victims of varicose veins are women who are of childbearing age and elderly people. Men and women of all ages develop them, however.
There are some factors that make a person more likely to develop bulges. For example, lack of physical activity and exercise may contribute to their development, as can weight gain. People who stand on their feet for long periods of time may be more likely to develop them as well. For example, cashiers who stand on their feet eight hours a day may be more at risk of developing varicose veins. Additionally, pregnant women and people with family histories of varicose vein development may be more at risk.
There are several factors that may contribute to varicose veins. Sometimes they develop because valves in the veins are either weak or not there at all, leading to poor circulation. Sometimes valve function is inadequate and blood is allowed to flow in the wrong direction. Often, the walls of the veins are weak and allow the blood to pool. In some cases, other medical conditions may cause them, including vein abnormalities, blood clots, and vein inflammation.
Though many people dislike the appearance of bulging veins, they are often merely a cosmetic problem and not a medical one. In some cases, however, they can be severe and require medical treatment. Among the potential treatments are compression stockings, leg elevation when sitting or sleeping, surgery, and laser therapy.
