Walking around in high heels can make you look taller and thus boost your self-confidence; but it could be one of the factors leading to varicose veins.  According to an Internal medical specialist varicose veins are the result of defective valves in the veins of the legs, so the blood could not go directly upward making the veins prominent.  The upward blood flow is impeded with the prolonged standing or sitting with the legs hanging.  Studies show that for young people, having varicose veins is not a problem because their veins valves are still sturdy and competent.  These valves eventually become damaged and defective as one grow older. 

Causes of varicose veins

Medical doctors describe it as a long-standing pooling or obstruction of the blood flow in the lower extremities.  The heart is not affected by varicose veins however there is a potential danger among people with varicose veins who remain immobilized for several hours a day.  Blood clot result with the impeded blood flow on the legs.  Blood clot can form in the varicose veins of the legs, which may carried up to the heart and lungs, causing pulmonary embolism.  As a result of an obstruction by the blood in the lungs, the oxygenation of the blood will be greatly affected.  Furthermore, the blood clot formation may happen to those who get bedridden for a few days or those who take long air flight, where their legs are not stretched for several hours.

Symptoms of varicose veins

Studies show that modern man has invented many ways to avoiding exercise, such as escalators, elevators, automobiles and other exercise-saving devices that are often sitting or standing instead of walking. The muscles become flabby, the skin of the legs loses it's elasticity, the surface veins begin to bulge, and the valves no longer keep the blood from running backward.  So the blood pooling in these surface leg veins form varicosity, and may actually flow in the wrong direction - away from the heart.

Chronic Constipation, may contribute to the development of varicose veins in the legs.  Studies shows straining at stool causes increase pressure within the abdomen cutting off drainage from the leg veins.

Varicose veins treatment

The solution to constipation problem is to increase the fiber-containing foods in the diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains), drink more water, and get daily exercise.  Studies show that once the veins swell, they are not repairing, even with increased exercise or other changes in lifestyle.  For varicosity that are developed overtime, consult a dermatologist, they are going to prescribed a cream or gel to be placed on the affected area until varicosity have visibly subsided.  Furthermore, according to medical doctors the lasting answer to treat varicose veins is surgery to strip away the dilated surface veins.

References:

Health & Homes Magazine

Eight Secrets of Health