Causes of bulging veins.Blood flows through your body using blood vessels, and sometimes, you might notice bulging or popping veins in your legs, hands, or feet. These swollen veins can look a bit odd and, for those of us in our later years, can really show off our age. The great news is that most of the time, bulging veins aren’t actually a sign of poor health. However, there are cases when they might be linked to an underlying medical issue. Either way, we’re here to fill you in on everything you should know about bulging veins.

Why Are My Veins Popping Out?

 

Bulging veins stand out more than usual, appearing raised or sometimes twisted right under your skin. You’ll mostly find them on your legs and arms. They usually look blue or dark purple and can be caused by any of the following factors:

 

  • Aging: As you age, your skin gets thinner and less elastic, making our blood vessels more visible. It’s all a normal part of getting older.
  • Genetics: Having family members with bulging veins increases your chances of getting them.
  • Hot Weather: Heat can cause veins to become more noticeable and enlarged, as they have to work harder in higher temperatures, making them more visible.
  • Hormone Imbalance: When this happens during pregnancy or menopause, it can result in the appearance of varicose or bulging veins. Pregnancy in particular can increase vein pressure and hinder blood flow to the heart, making veins more prominent.
  • Exercise: Heavy lifting for long periods can increase blood flow. The muscles harden, causing more visible blood vessels. Over-stretching can also play a role in making veins pop out.
  • Blood Clots: Also known as thrombophlebitis, blood clots can obstruct the flow of blood within veins. This obstruction can increase venous pressure, leading to the enlargement and bulging of veins.
  • Body Fat Loss: As you lose weight, the insulating layer of fat beneath your skin thins out. This reduction in fat makes your veins more visible.
  • Health Conditions: Underlying cardiac conditions such as heart failure, various forms of heart disease, and coronary artery disease can lead to a persistent rise in blood pressure. This higher pressure can weaken your veins, which might lead to them bulging or popping out.
How to Get Rid of Bulging Veins in Your Legs

 

Bulging veins will usually go away on their own, especially if they’re caused by exercise or hot weather. But if they choose to persist, there are many useful ways to find relief. If you’ve been standing or sitting for too long, taking breaks to move around can help improve your circulation. This gets the blood moving back up from your legs to your heart and lowers the pressure in your veins, causing them to bulge less. Elevating your legs above heart level, especially after standing for long periods, can also help reduce vein swelling, as can over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.

 

Why are compression stockings good for bulging veins? Because they squeeze your legs, promoting blood flow back to the heart and mitigating swelling. Additionally, adopting a high-fiber, low-salt diet can help prevent swelling. To halt blood flow restriction, avoid tight clothing, especially around the waist, legs, and groin area. Maintaining proper hydration by drinking ample water can also positively impact circulation and overall vein health. Some individuals may find these herbal supplements to be beneficial for their bulging veins:

 

  • Horse chestnut extract to promote circulation and lessen swelling.
  • Grape seed extract for reducing inflammation.
  • Witch hazel oral supplements to alleviate discomfort from varicose veins, which are characterized by bulging veins.

Are Bulging Veins the Same as Varicose Veins?

 

Not all bulging veins are varicose veins—most are generally harmless! However, if your veins are sticking out and causing you pain and discomfort, it might be a sign of a deeper issue related to untreated varicose veins. If you are concerned about the possibility of this, there are several key signs to watch out for. 

 

Bulging varicose veins can cause aching or cramping pain in your legs, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods. A feeling of heaviness in the legs that gets worse throughout the day is another common symptom. Varicose veins can cause itching around the affected area and swelling in the ankles and feet due to poor circulation. Over time, the skin near these veins may become thin, discolored, or even develop ulcers. You might also feel a throbbing or burning sensation in your legs, and muscle cramps, particularly at night, are not uncommon.

 

If you are experiencing these intrusive symptoms, your bulging varicose veins are no longer just a cosmetic issue. One of the following treatments may be your solution for how to get rid of the bulging veins in your legs:

  • Ambulatory phlebectomy is the removal of varicose veins through small incisions. Your doctor will make an incision to tie off and remove the vein, after which the blood reroutes and the closed vein gradually fades away.
  • Sclerotherapy injects a chemical solution into the vein, causing it to scar and blood to then reroute through healthier veins.
  • Varithena is a minimally invasive foam treatment used to close off and reduce varicose veins by injecting a sclerosant into the affected veins.
  • Venaseal uses a medical adhesive to close and seal your bulging varicose veins,  eventually causing it to be absorbed into your body.
  • Venous Ablation is a treatment where a catheter is inserted into the vein and uses heat to collapse and close it.

Find Your Quick and Easy Treatment for Bulging Veins

 

Whether you’re stressing over your bulging veins because they point to a deeper health issue or you just don’t like how they look, don’t sweat it—there are plenty of fixes out there. If your bulging veins aren’t connected to varicose veins, there are plenty of non-invasive options and lifestyle adjustments that can make those veins go away. And if your bulging veins do stem from varicose veins, you’ve got a whole lineup of fast and easy treatments waiting for you. The first step towards a solution is just setting up an appointment with a vein doctor. So, now’s your perfect opportunity to get on the path to healthier, more comfortable legs and the confidence boost that follows!

Filed under: Varicose Veins, Vein HealthTagged with: , , , , ,

Illustration of hands with bulging veins.

Our blood moves through the body via blood vessels with the goal of reaching our heart. But when blood has a hard time being transported, it can pool up in our veins. This can manifest itself as bulging in legs, hands, and feet. These swollen veins can look unappealing and really show off our age.

 

The good news is most bulging veins aren’t actually a sign of poor health. But there are instances where they may arise from an underlying disease. Whatever the cause or effect, let’s discuss everything you need to know about bulging veins.

 

8 Common Causes of Bulging Veins 

 

Bulging veins can be identified by their rope-like shape and bluish-green tone. While they’re not an inherent health threat, none of us want to have them on our skin. So why are my veins popping out? Here are some of the reasons why they appear:

 

  • Aging: As we age, our skin gets thinner and less elastic, making our blood vessels more visible. While not particularly desirable, it’s all part of the aging process.
  • Genetics: Having family members with bulging veins increases your chances of getting them.
  • Hot Weather: Heat can make veins more prominent and enlarged. Because they have to work harder in high temperatures, veins become more visible.
  • Hormone Imbalance: Pregnancy or menopause can lead to a hormone imbalance. One of the symptoms is bulging veins. Pregnancy may also put pressure on veins, making it harder for blood flow to get back to the heart.
  • Exercise: Heavy lifting for long periods of time can make blood flow increase. The muscles harden, causing more visible blood vessels. Over-stretching can also play a role in making veins pop out.
  • Blood Clots: Also known as thrombophlebitis, this condition can cause swollen veins that feel tough.
  • Body Fat Loss: Our skin has a layer of fat that serves as an insulator. When you lose weight, that layer thins, making veins more visible.
  • Health Conditions: Underlying heart problems can cause a chronic increase in blood pressure. This weakens the veins and can cause popping.

 

The causes of bulging veins differ from that of varicose veins. Varicose veins are often caused by damaged or weakened valves. Not all bulging veins are varicose veins, deeming them generally harmless. But if they cause pain and discomfort, it may be an underlying problem from untreated varicose veins. Let’s explain.

 

Are Bulging Veins the Same as Varicose Veins?

 

There are a few ways to tell the difference between a regular bulging vein and varicose veins. The first is where the vein is located. Bulging veins can pop up in various places. But varicose veins usually show up on your legs. This is where blood has to work the hardest to travel back to your heart.

 

Though similar in appearance, varicose and bulging veins have a slightly different look to them. They both have a rope-like structure. But varicose veins are generally larger and more twisted. Bulging veins are smaller with a green-blue hue. Varicose veins have a more purple-blue color.

 

Symptoms can help you identify whether you’re dealing with bulging or varicose veins. Bulging veins can be purely aesthetic and may have no real symptoms. Varicose veins; however, come with pain, discomfort, swelling, changes in skin texture, and even ulcers.

 

Can Bulging Veins Go Away?

 

Usually, bulging veins will go away on their own. Especially ones that are caused by exercise or hot weather. But if popping veins run in your family or come from underlying conditions, you may need treatment to help them go away. Here are some options:

 

  • Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can help decrease the swelling of bulging veins.
  • Sclerotherapy injects a chemical solution into targeted veins and makes them close.
  • Ambulatory phlebectomy is the removal of the targeted veins via small incisions. While you’re under general anesthesia, your doctor will make an incision, tie off the vein, and remove it. The blood that used to run in the vein is automatically shifted and the closed vein eventually fades away.

 

What Can You Do To Prevent Bulging Veins From Forming?

 

As we’ve learned, bulging veins often have genetic causes. So while we can’t always stop them from forming, there are things we can do to lessen the appearance of bulging veins or prevent new ones from popping up.

 

Improve Your Heart Rate, Reduce Your Weight

 

Routine exercise improves circulation, prevents blood from pooling in veins, and helps with weight loss. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your veins. This increases your chances of developing bulging veins. So maintaining a healthy diet and workout routine is an advantageous step in treating or preventing bulging veins.

 

Sport a Pro-Vein Wardrobe

 

Wearing tight clothing could actually be the cause of your vein problems. Overly fitted garments restrain blood flow, which can then cause bulging veins to form. Sporting a loose-fitting, free-flowing wardrobe can help. And to further reduce your risk, compression socks can even out the pressure on your veins and prevent blood pooling.

 

Switch up Your Position

 

Refrain from standing, sitting, or crossing your legs for extended periods of time. Doing so can cause blood to pool in your veins. Elevating your legs to a position higher than your heart can also improve blood flow. Taking periodic breaks and stretching are both helpful ways to prevent and lessen bulging veins.

 

Trade Bad Habits for Healthy Ones

 

We all know that smoking is bad for us. It damages our blood vessels and restricts blood flow. This enlarges your veins and can cause them to bulge out. If you don’t want this to happen, stop smoking and start drinking—water that is. Getting lots of hydration keeps the blood flowing. This reduces pressure on your veins and can even help with skin elasticity.

 

When All Else Fails, Bulging Veins Can Be Fixed

 

Bulging veins are not a serious medical issue for the majority of people. But if you’re concerned that your popping veins are something serious (or if you just don’t like the way they look) make an appointment with a vein doctor.

 

If there’s a serious problem with your veins, a doctor can recommend treatment. And if you want them removed for cosmetic purposes, they can also make a suggestion for the best procedure. If bulging veins are a sign of a more serious condition, your doctor will offer specific medical treatments.

Filed under: Vein Health, Vein TreatmentTagged with: , , , ,