If you are worried about developing varicose veins and wondering whether you can prevent them, this article is for you. Varicose veins affect around 23% of adults in the United States including 22 million women and 11 million men aged between 40 to 80 years old and because they’re a sign of circulatory disease, they shouldn’t be ignored. But before we discuss how to prevent varicose veins, here’s a quick reminder of what they are.
Varicose veins are enlarged, distorted veins that protrude just beneath the skin. They often appear blue or purple and are most commonly found on the legs, ankles, and feet. Spider veins, which are smaller red or purple lines, frequently accompany varicose veins and are located near the surface of the skin.
Not only can their appearance cause embarrassment, but varicose veins may also:
and without treatment, more severe cases can lead to blood clots.
While sometimes they can be harmless, varicose veins are often a visible indication of an underlying medical issue called vein disease or "chronic venous insufficiency."
Varicose veins can affect almost anyone, but women are more likely to develop them than men. This increased risk may be linked to genetics, pregnancy-related factors, and other contributors.
Older people, especially those who lead a sedentary lifestyle and who are overweight, are also more prone to getting varicose veins.
One of the most predominant factors, however, is genetics. Various studies have reached this conclusion. Indeed, one clinical study of 134 families in France concluded that the risk of their children developing varicose veins was 90% when both parents suffered from the disease, 62% for females and 25% for males when one parent was affected and 20% when neither parent was affected.
Unfortunately, there is no way to ensure that you won’t develop varicose veins. Even those who are very healthy can still experience varicose veins if they have a family history or other risk factors.
That said, there are ways of minimizing the risk of developing varicose veins, including:
Don’t worry, we’re not about to suggest you train for hours like a professional athlete. Instead, we recommend low-impact exercise, five days a week, of around 30 minutes. This can be walking, cycling, swimming, pilates and yoga – to name but a few. Regular low-impact exercises will maintain healthy functioning of the venous system, help you lose a few pounds of excess weight, and contribute to your overall cardiovascular health and well-being.
Carrying too much weight places strain on the veins and heart, making it more conceivable that your veins won’t function as well as they should. On the contrary, being severely underweight can also restrict the flow of blood, again causing your veins to malfunction. If you’re not sure what a healthy weight is for you, then ask your health provider.
You can keep yourself and your body in good shape by lowering your salt intake and eating a well-balanced nutritious diet. This includes Vitamins C, D, and E together with antioxidants. Here’s a handy guide we wrote a while back relating to delicious foods that help or prevent vein problems.
Jobs that involve you sitting behind a desk all day or standing in one position can be harmful over time.
Try to stand up and move around every 20 minutes or vary what you do where possible. Lunchtime walks, raising your calves at your desk, and elevating your feet when you rest, all help promote blood flow and improve circulation.
If vein issues continue, it’s important to consult a board-certified vein specialist at a reputable vein clinic. If you experience severe leg pain, numbness, discoloration, or loss of sensation, seek medical attention right away.
Unfortunately, varicose veins don’t go away on their own. Thankfully, at the Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT) we offer several minimally invasive vein treatments that are covered by most insurances.
The type of vein treatment depends on your particular situation but may include radiofrequency ablation which uses targeted heat to seal the veins shut through to Phlebectomy which removes veins through tiny incisions made in the skin.
All of our vein treatments are performed as an out-patient with most patients able to return to work the following day with little if any downtime, recovery honestly is that easy.
In addition to vein treatments, certain lifestyle changes and regular low-impact exercise can help ease any pain and reduce the risk of further vein damage in your legs. These include:
While there is no guaranteed method of how to prevent varicose veins, being in good health and exercising regularly is your best chance. The good news is there are easy changes you can make yourself to lower the risk of developing varicose veins.
If you do have varicose veins, why not schedule an appointment at one of our clinics to see how we can help you? Call MINT today or use our online booking service.
