A common cause of varicose veins can be attributed to standing for long periods of time. Other factors such as pregnancy, obesity, and an increase in age can also be part of the problem. Many jobs that require standing for extended periods can cause or contribute to the varicose and spider veins. So should employers supply support socks if requested?

First, let's explore the cause of varicose and spider veins. Your heart pumps oxygen filled blood through the body. The blood is then carried through arteries towards the body's different parts. The job of veins is to carry blood with levels of oxygen back to the heart. For example, in your legs--when your muscles contract--blood is pumped back to the heart from your lower body. Your veins have valves that keep the blood flowing in one direction and prevent the blood from flowing backward. If a valve weakens, then blood can leak backward and collect in the vein. This results in collected blood and it begins to expand the vein, making it varicose.

These enlarged varicose veins can cause problems overtime, if not treated. The collected blood in the veins slows the return of blood to the heart. This can produce blood clots or infections if not treated properly. Other symptoms of varicose veins are sores, skin ulcers, irritation, swelling, pain, and soreness. A change in lifestyle (i.e., eating healthier or performing regular exercise) or surgery may be necessary to prevent or treat varicose veins.

Weight gain, increase in age, pregnancy, and standing for long periods of time can all be culprits. In the workplace, if you are required to be on your feet for hours at a time and are obese, older in age, or pregnant, you probably are suffering from varicose veins. It seems rational that employers would offer support socks to those that may want to use them in order to avoid the aforementioned conditions.