<h2><strong>What Causes Varicose Veins?</strong></h2>

<p>Your legs are more likely to show signs of varicose veins. They are usually blue or purple and may feel immediately under the surface.</p>

<p>There are no strong muscles in the veins. Therefore, they depend on one-way valves and leg muscles to transport blood back toward the heart. Blood might build up in the leg veins if the valves aren&#39;t functioning correctly. In addition, vascular walls swell as a result of the increasing pressure.</p>

<p>If you haven&#39;t previously had a baby, varicose veins pregnancy may produce a wide range of physical changes. Varicose veins may develop as a result of some of these alterations. ii</p>

<p>During pregnancy, the production of progesterone is enhanced. There are several benefits to using it, including a healthy pregnancy. Relaxed veins make blood flow more slowly. As the vein fills with blood, the pressure within the vein expands, causing the vein to grow in size.</p>

<p>Pregnant women increase blood volume because of the increased demand for oxygen. As a result of increased blood in the circulatory system, the valves and walls of the veins are put under additional stress.</p>

<p>Organs and blood arteries in the abdomen are being put under pressure by the uterus as the baby grows. Before returning to the heart, blood passes from the leg veins to the pelvis or lower abdomen veins. Because of the uterus&#39;s strain on these pelvic veins, blood cannot leave the body via the legs.</p>

<p>Pregnant women are more prone to develop varicose veins because of the hormonal changes during pregnancy. To cure, you can take laser treatment for varicose veins.</p>

<h2><strong>During pregnancy, are varicoceles serious?</strong></h2>

<p>In the short term, varicose veins may itch or sting, but they are generally harmless. You may be able to postpone varicose veins treatment, if necessary, until after giving birth.</p>

<p>People with varicose veins may also develop tiny blood clots at the skin&#39;s surface (superficial venous thrombosis). Clotted blood may cause a vein to become stiff and cord-like and the region surrounding it to become inflamed or even painful.</p>

<p>If you suspect you have one of these clots, contact your doctor or midwife immediately. You may use warm compresses to treat them during pregnancy, and they usually go away in a few days or weeks. However, a clot&#39;s surrounding region might get contaminated from time to time. As a result, you may get a fever or chills and need immediate antibiotic varicose veins surgery.</p>

<p>If you see any of the following:</p>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>Either limb swells up to a dangerous size.</p>
	</li>
	<li>
	<p>Your leg becomes infected with sores.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>
	<p>The color of the skin around the veins changes.</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<p>DVT is a more severe disorder in which a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs, generally in the lower legs. It may be life-threatening if the clot becomes irritated or travels to the lungs and becomes infected.</p>

<p>When pregnant, DVT is more prevalent regardless of whether or not you have varicose veins: You have a 1 in 1,600 risk of getting it, whether you have it while pregnant or after giving birth. Pregnant women who are obese, have blood clotting issues, or are carrying multiples, and those on bed rest, are at greater risk.)</p>

<p>The symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may range from no signs to sudden, excruciating pain in the ankle, leg, and thigh. In addition, a slight temperature may accompany the pain, which may be worse while your foot is flexed or when you&#39;re standing. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of these signs to get the best treatment for varicose veins.</p>

<p>Ultrasound imaging of the afflicted region may be required. In addition, you will require hospitalization and blood-thinning medication for everyone who has one of these blood clots.</p>

<p><strong>References</strong></p>

<p>National Clinical Guideline Centre (UK). (2013). Varicose Veins in the Legs: The Diagnosis and Management of Varicose Veins. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov</p>

<p> </p>


Kusum Sabharwal

Read this article to know what are varicose veins and how you can prevent them during your pregnancy.

How to Prevent Varicose Veins During Pregnancy?

What Are Varicose Veins and How to Prevent Them During Your Pregnancy?

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Pregnancy is a rollercoaster journey, full of strange symptoms and body changes. One such weird pregnancy symptom you may notice during your pregnancy is spider veins. These thread-like veins, usually on your thighs or the back of your legs, are scary to look at but mostly harmless. In this article, we will discuss what are spider veins, what causes spider veins and how to manage them.</span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong>What are Spider Veins?</strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Spider veins are blue or purple veins that can occur during pregnancy on a woman&rsquo;s ankles, legs, or face. They don&#39;t cause any serious pain but can make your legs feel heavier. The skin around the spots created by spider veins can also feel itchy. Spider veins, like varicose veins, are very common during pregnancy and around 3-4 women out of 10 develop spider veins when they are pregnant. </span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong>Are Spider and Varicose veins the same thing?  </strong></h2>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">A common way to differentiate between Spider and Varicose veins is that Varicose veins are more swollen, larger, and can be seen and felt right under the surface of your skin in comparison Spider veins are smaller and not nearly as swollen and cannot be felt. Varicose veins are caused by malfunctioning valves in your veins while spider veins can be caused due to a variety of factors. </span></p>

<h2 style="text-align:justify"><strong>What causes spider veins during pregnancy?</strong></h2>

<p><span style="font-size:16px">Usually, the valves in our veins push blood towards the heart. However, sometimes the valves weaken and don&#39;t close correctly. This can cause the blood to leak back into the bottom of the veins and build up. Over time, the wall of the veins weakens and grows larger, causing spider veins to appear. </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:16px">During pregnancy, the blood volume inside the body increases and creates significant pressure on the blood vessels. Additionally, the expanding uterus also adds pressure on the veins. This can cause the small veins to swell, putting pregnant women at a greater risk for spider veins. Moreover, genetics also play an important role. if your mother or sister had spider veins or varicose veins, then you&#39;re likely to develop them too. </span></p>

<h2><strong>How can you prevent or manage spider veins? </strong></h2>

<p><span style="font-size:16px">Here are some steps you can follow to minimize the development and spread of spider veins:</span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>1. Increase fibre in your diet </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Ensure that you get enough high-fibre foods in your diet as constipation can contribute to swollen veins. A healthy digestion system will prevent any unwanted pressure on your circulatory system which is a major cause of spider veins. If you&#39;re not able to add enough fibre naturally consider a fibre supplement like psyllium husk. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>2. Eat Vitamin-C rich foods </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Your body uses Vitamin C to manufacture elastin and collagen which help your body to repair and maintain veins. Collagen and elastin are two important connective tissues that help repair and maintain veins. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>3. Light workouts are important </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">While strenuous activities should be avoided during your pregnancy, light workouts like walking help improve and maintain muscle strength, blood circulation, and the health of your veins. Exercise also helps you control your weight gain and keep it gradual.  </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>4. Sit comfortably </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Avoid sitting with your legs crossed, or putting your legs on your floor without any support as this restricts blood flow. Instead, try to keep your legs at an elevation that helps circulation in your legs and body. </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>5. Walking is beneficial, standing is not </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Light exercise like walking is beneficial but simply standing on your feet is not. Avoid standing by either walking or taking a seat.  </span></p>

<h3 style="text-align:justify"><strong>6. Sleeping differently </strong></h3>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">Sleeping on the left side with a pillow wedged between your legs and behind your back is known to increase the blood flow back to your heart.</span></p>

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:16px">While during your pregnancy spider veins may be troubling. Therefore, keep in mind that spider veins are usually a temporary side effect of the pregnancy and after 3-4 months of delivery, they go away. </span></p>


Spider veins are blue or purple veins that can occur during pregnancy on a woman’s ankles, legs, or face. Learn what causes spider veins and how to manage them.

What Causes Spider Veins & How to Manage Them?

Spider Veins: Meaning, Causes & Management

<p>A myriad of factors can cause swelling during pregnancy, especially swollen feet. While some of these symptoms are common during pregnancy, sometimes they might signify more concerning disorders like preeclampsia. Let us understand in detail about swelling during pregnancy, its causes and warning signs and symptoms.</p>

<h2><strong>Causes of Swelling During Pregnancy</strong></h2>

<p>Here are some reasons why you may experience swelling during pregnancy:</p>

<h3><strong>1. Retention of fluid</strong></h3>

<p>The blood volume of a pregnant woman doubles. This surge may vary from woman to woman, with some reporting growth of approximately 100% over pre-pregnancy levels.</p>

<p>Fluid and hormonal changes might increase plasma in your blood relative to red blood cells, which is expected. A condition known as physiological anaemia occurs as a consequence. A healthy pregnant woman might have up to 80% edema in pregnancy. However, the feet are the most common location for this condition to appear.</p>

<h3><strong>2. Dehydration </strong></h3>

<p>Due to the increased demand for water during pregnancy, fluid retention may indicate dehydration. Women who don&#39;t drink enough water are at risk of constipation, anemia, and edema if they don&#39;t stay hydrated. Dehydrated pregnant women may have a lower chance of delivering a healthy baby.</p>

<h3><strong>3. Certain medicines </strong></h3>

<p>Several over-the-counter and prescription drugs might raise the risk of edema. Some persons may develop water retention and peripheral edema due to using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs).</p>

<p>Antacids are often used to treat heartburn in pregnant women. Swelling in pregnancy may occur if sodium bicarbonate-containing drugs are taken in excess.</p>

<h3><strong>4. Preeclampsia </strong></h3>

<p>As a result of preeclampsia, pregnant women are more likely to have swollen feet. A rapid rise in blood pressure in women who had previously had good readings is the hallmark of this illness. The presence of protein in urine is another telltale sign of this illness. Approximately one in every twenty-five pregnant women in the US is affected by this issue.</p>

<p>Women with preeclampsia are more likely to have swelling during pregnancy in their hands and feet. Thus, these signs should be taken carefully. Seizures are a possibility if preeclampsia is not addressed.</p>

<p>You may like : <a href="https://mylofamily.com/article/what-are-varicose-veins-and-how-to-prevent-them-du-25241">What are varicose veins and how to prevent them during your pregnancy? </a></p>

<h2><strong>When and Where Does a Pregnant Woman Develop Swelling? </strong></h2>

<p>The feet and ankles should be the only swollen parts of your body. Even if your fingers swell a bit, it shouldn&#39;t be noticeable enough that you can&#39;t wear your rings anymore.</p>

<p>When you&#39;re in your second or third trimester of pregnancy, you may notice a tingling sensation in your lower abdomen. This usually begins about week 22 and lasts until you give birth. Pregnant women are more susceptible to edema than the general population.</p>

<p>As the day progresses, you may notice that your feet and ankles swell. This is primarily due to gravity &ndash; if you spend more time on your feet, additional fluid will accumulate in your feet and ankles.</p>

<h2><strong>Warning Signs of Swelling During Pregnancy</strong></h2>

<p>Swollen feet, often known as edema, are an essential pregnancy symptom. It might be difficult for some women to tell whether a problem is just a minor inconvenience or something that requires immediate medical treatment. Signs of swollen feet include the following:</p>

<h3><strong>1. Your shoes are no longer the right size</strong></h3>

<p>Having to buy bigger shoe sizes is a common symptom of pregnancy-induced edema, even if it may seem trite to pregnant women. Compression stockings and reduced time spent on your feet might help alleviate pain. A flat, supportive shoe half a size larger than your pre-pregnancy shoes could also be good.</p>

<h3><strong>2. Stiffness while you stand </strong></h3>

<p>Standing for lengthy periods may induce the accumulation of extra fluid in the legs and feet due to gravity. Pregnant women may find it difficult to stand or walk for long periods.</p>

<h3><strong>3. Your skin&#39;s color, texture, and look change </strong></h3>

<p>Even though swelling may be seen at first look, not all women know it. If you examine carefully, the skin is considerably tighter. Depending on your height, the feet and ankles may seem shorter or taller than the rest of your leg.</p>

<h2><strong>Final Words </strong></h2>

<p>Pregnancy-induced swelling of the ankles and feet is joint. Anxieties about bumps are understandable since they may be painful, cause your shoes to become uncomfortable, and even make you feel self-conscious so home remedies for swollen feet during pregnancy is the best solution. To keep yourself as comfortable as possible, it&#39;s essential to know what to watch out for and how best to deal with it.</p>

<h3><strong>References</strong></h3>

<p>FHCSD. Swelling in Pregnancy&mdash;When to Worry and When Is It Normal?. www.fhcsd.org</p>


Pregnancy comes with a few problems that can be concerning like swelling during pregnancy. Read on to know its causes and warning signs.

Swelling During Pregnancy: Causes & Warning Signs & Symptoms

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