Varicose and Spider veins: Reduce Your Risk with Lifestyle Changes
Posted: Thursday, September 19, 2013 | Revised: October 7, 2013
Varicose and Spider veins: Reduce Your Risk with Lifestyle Changes
If you have varicose or spider veins, you may have your grandmother to blame. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, 50% of those with varicose veins have a family history of the condition.
But your family tree is not the only cause. Other causes of varicose and spider veins include:
- Gender – females with venous disease outnumber males four to one.
- Pregnancy — because of associated hormonal changes, baby pressure and fluid retention.
- Medical problems such as a history of blood clots or leg trauma.
- Lifestyle issues such as working in jobs that require long periods of standing or sitting.
Assess your Lifestyle to Improve Your Odds
Some of the risk factors of venous disease are out of your hands, such as your family history and gender. But there are some lifestyle changes you can make to improve your overall health and reduce the risk of vein problems:
Maintain a healthy body weight. Those extra pounds make your circulatory system work harder, increase the pressure in leg veins and put vein valves at risk for failing.
Exercise regularly. Walking, jogging, swimming, bicycling and stair climbing all increase the circulation in your legs. The calf muscles are what provide the pump for the blood to return to your heart by squeezing the leg veins each time you take a step or flex your feet.
Try not to stand too long in one place. Take breaks at work to move around. Wear mild compression stockings to help prevent the blood from pooling in your legs if you must stand in one place.
Avoid high heels. They prevent your calf muscle pump from working effectively, decreasing the blood flow from your legs back to your heart.
Don’t cross your legs when seated. This posture increases leg vein pressure. Sit with both feet flat on the floor to maintain an even flow of blood back to the heart.
Avoid sitting for long periods. When sitting, flex your ankles frequently. Take regular breaks to walk around and stretch.
Avoid salt and increase fiber intake. Because salt causes water retention, excess levels can cause leg swelling. Constipation increases pressure on leg veins, so consuming more fiber can reduce that risk.
Wear gradient compression stockings. These are specially designed to counteract the pressure in your leg veins, keeping blood from pooling there. They are particularly helpful on long car or plane rides.
Take a break. Rest with your legs 6 to 12 inches above your heart. This lets blood in your lower leg flow back to your heart with the help of gravity.
Contact Our Vein Clinic for the Latest Venous Disease Treatments
If you develop visible varicose or spider veins, you may not require any treatment. However, if you experience leg heaviness or pain such as aching, throbbing and cramping, it’s time to have them checked out by experienced Michigan vein doctors.
At our vein clinic, we will do a comprehensive examination and diagnostic ultrasound of your legs to diagnose any venous disease. Then Dr. Suzanne Jones will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan. Today’s technology offers treatments that are usually done right in our office and allow you to resume your normal activities quickly.
If you have any questions or concerns, or would like an evaluation in our vein clinic, please contact our office at (734) 274-5624.