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By Stella Gay


It is a condition that most every woman will face within her lifetime, though it is rarely spoken of in the media, or even medical circles. For women who develop them, they are an embarrassing eyesore which can result in some women avoiding any clothing which would reveal the legs. From Austin, TX to Ontario, Canada, women have learned to endure their varicose veins in silence.

This condition is sometimes called a spider vein, and occurs when there is pressure to the lower body preventing blood from traveling back up to the heart. The blood pools in the vein causing it to enlarge and turn blue. For this reason, most of these varicosities are located in the legs and feet, often advancing to the stage of being an eyesore that results in a negative body image.

Doctors will generally recommend self care therapy in order to improve the appearance of these veins, and to help ease any pain she may be experiencing. Women are notorious for suffering pain silently, as nature has granted them a brain physiology that can permit one to ignore pain more effectively than men. This factor sometimes prevents many women from seeking treatment or solutions.

A condition known as venous insufficiency can result in a rare but dangerous level of poor circulation. For women who routinely ignore leg pain, the real danger comes as a stroke or aneurysm when a vein progresses to being a clot. Failure to seek help can result in a dangerous blood clot that may be untreatable, leaving her with only the option of amputation.

With pregnancy or advancing age, many women will begin to see the first signs of varicosities. When a vein loses elasticity, it can become unable to successfully bring blood all the way back to the heart. Some blood can fall back and pool in the vein, causing it to become enlarged and discolored. Pregnancy varicosities often repair themselves fairly quickly.

Men occasionally suffer with variations of this ailment, but it is generally an affliction suffered by women. Hormonal changes from pregnancy and aging play a factor, although obesity and a tendency to stand or sit in one position for long periods of time are a more primary cause. A woman may begin to see blue rope-like strands on her legs and feet, just below the surface of the skin.

Women often believe that being on their feet promotes a more healthy lifestyle, and they would be correct most of the time. However, if there is not enough movement going on, she is contributing to the pressure on her lower body. This is a tough reality for women who push themselves to lead an active life with hopes of keeping their bodies unmarred while approaching life changes such as parenthood or middle age.

Compression stockings, if properly fitted, can improve this condition, as can shifting position frequently and improving muscle tone in the legs. For herbalists, horse chestnut seed extract can help with the circulation as well. For women suffering pain or bleeding ulcers, there are options such as laser treatments or sclerotherapy which may be recommended by her physician.




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