THE VEINS AND THEIR FUNCTION
The purpose of veins is to return non-oxygenated blood to the heart. Blood flows up, out of your legs and back to your heart. The veins in the legs have one-way valves that close and open with each contraction of the calf muscle in your leg. This is important because most of the time we are standing upright, and the valves prevent blood from pooling in your legs.
The venous system consists of three systems of veins: the deep system, the superficial system and the perforator system. The superficial system lies just below the surface of the skin. The great and small saphenous veins and their branches are the main superficial system veins. They drain from the skin and tissues into the deep system. The deep system is responsible for carrying 90% of the blood back to the heart. A third system consists of perforating veins which take blood from the superficial system to the deep system.
Problems occur when these valves do not completely close. This can occur because of a weakness of the vein wall that allows bulging that makes the valves incompetent. Weakness can be inherited, occur during pregnancy, hormonal changes (progesterone weakens the vein walls) or can happen over time with jobs that entail prolonged standing. Eventually, these valves are not able to close correctly, allowing blood to backflow. The veins become permanently dilated so that they can no longer effectively transport blood back to the heart. These distended veins enlarge and often become bulging and rope like. Some patients with large varicose veins have no symptoms. Others with only small varicosities may complain of discomfort. This includes aching, swelling, especially at the end of the day, itching, tingling and cramps over veins. With time skin of the lower leg can thicken, become dry itch and develop a brownish discoloration and become vulnerable to ulceration.
Veins are controlled; they are never completely cured, especially if the deep veins have problems with their valves. While there is no way to avoid leaky veins, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of further problems and improve your leg health.
- Wear elastic compression stockings every day, especially at work.
- Exercise daily - Exercising, using the muscles of the legs, helps the calf muscle pump blood back to the heart and every step lowers the pressure in the leg.
- If you have a job that entails standing or sitting for long periods of time, practice foot or leg exercises every 30 minutes. Simple exercises such as heel raises, wiggling your toes or simply changing positions will help to keep the blood moving.
- Elevate your legs whenever possible - the higher the better.
- Being in and exercising in water.
- Maintain a healthy weight and diet.
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