Unsightly veins, caused by vein reflux disease, is a very
common problem - up to 25% of all women and 18% of all
men will suffer from vein reflux disease to some degree.
There are a number of factors
which lead to Vein Reflux Disease.
Vein Reflux
As blood flows through your veins to the heart, stop
valves (as shown on the right) are supposed to prevent
the blood from flowing backwards as gravity pulls it
down. If the valves don't close properly, blood pools
in the vein, forcing the walls to enlarge and bulge
out ('refluxed').
Valve failure in the major leg vein (the greater saphenous
vein) is the common cause of vein reflux in other parts
of the leg. And typically, veins visible in the lower
thigh, knee and calf are often due to vein reflux in
higher areas of this major vein.
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