Spider veins are can be unsightly and bothersome for some people. If you are wondering what causes spider veins here are a few things that can contribute to these little nuisances.

• Aging causes wear and tear on the valves in your veins that help regulate blood flow. Eventually, that wear causes the valves to malfunction.
• Women are more likely than men are to develop the condition. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, premenstruation or menopause may be a factor. Female hormones tend to relax vein walls. Taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills may increase your risk of varicose veins.
• If other family members had spider veins, there's a greater chance you will too.
• Being overweight puts added pressure on your veins.
• Standing or sitting for extended periods of time. Your blood doesn't flow as well if you're in the same position for long periods.

If you're concerned about how your veins look and feel and self-care measures haven't stopped your condition from getting worse, see your doctor.

In making a diagnosis, your doctor will examine your legs while you're standing and will look for swelling. He or she may also ask you to describe the pain and aching in your legs. Finally, your doctor may perform an ultrasound test to see if the valves in your veins are functioning normally or if there's any evidence of a blood clot.

Occasionally, veins deep within the legs become enlarged. In such cases, the affected leg may swell considerably. Any sudden leg swelling warrants urgent medical attention because it may indicate a blood clot — a condition known medically as thrombophlebitis.

Fortunately, treatment usually doesn't mean a hospital stay or a long, uncomfortable recovery. Less invasive techniques generally allow varicose veins to be dealt with on an outpatient basis. Self-help measures like exercising, losing weight, not wearing tight clothes, elevating your legs and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting can ease pain and prevent your vein problems from getting worse.

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