You might have tried a few treatments for spider veins, but until you get to the root cause, they can return. While spider veins have many causes, one that often gets overlooked is stress.
Can Spider Veins Be a Product of Stress?
Spider veins occur due to vein weakening and damage. The vein’s valve can’t send blood toward the heart. Instead, it ends up moving backward, pooling up in the vein.
Stress contributes to spider veins by ratcheting up your blood pressure. If you already have weakened valves, the additional pressure can cause more vein damage, leading to a spidery web of red lines across your skin.
Another way that stress can cause spider veins is its connection with weight gain. The more you weigh, the likelier you are to develop spider veins, as the extra weight puts pressure on the venous system.
Other Causes of Spider Veins
In addition to stress, learn about these other causes of spider veins to better care for your health:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Excess sun exposure
- Hormones
- Vein surgery
- Rosacea
- Menopause
- Using oral contraceptives
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
How to Manage Stress (and Your Spider Veins)
Controlling stress will improve your quality of life and your skin, as you can reduce the spider veins across your body. One of the most effective things you can do is get up and get active. This will help you lose weight if you exercise for 30 minutes a day, and the endorphin rush will improve your mood. Additionally, try these relaxation tips to find your calm:
- Learn to control your breathing, focusing on calming breaths in high-stress situations
- Practice meditation
- Start a journal and share your thoughts
- Talk with a friend or family member
- Focus on gratitude
See Vascular Institute of Virginia for Spider Vein Treatment
As vascular experts, the Vascular Institute of Virginia can help you manage your spider veins. Call 703-763-5224 to schedule an appointment. With offices in Fredericksburg, Woodbridge, and Fairfax, VA, you can choose the most convenient location. Call now to get started.
