– Advertisement – For those who have experienced issues with varicose veins, it is more than obvious that they are far greater concern than a cosmetic annoyance. For millions of people out there, varicose veins mean constant source of throbbing pain, swelling, heaviness, and that annoying itching that simply won’t go away. While they are not life-threatening all by themselves, varicose veins can definitely affect the quality of life and make even something as simple as walking feel like a chore if they are not handed properly. The good thing is that varicose veins don’t need to be a permanent roadblock for those suffering from them because nowadays there are plenty of medical solutions that can help with the problem, as well as certain habits that can offer relief. What are varicose veins? Mayo Clinic explains that varicose veins are essentially a condition in which your veins get enlarged, twisted, and pop up right under the skin, usually on the legs. Essentially, varicose veins appear when the tiny one-way valves in your body that help the blood pump towards your heart begin to weaken and fail. As a result, the blood doesn’t circulate upwards properly but begins to collect, forcing the veins walls to stretch and enlarge. The biggest impact is felt by the legs since walking and standing alone put massive pressure on the lower body.
This is when you start noticing the dark purple or bluish cords bulging beneath the surface. Spider veins, the thin red and blue lines, are a milder version of the same condition, but varicose veins are much larger and likely to come with issues such as constant itching, burning sensation, and swelling. Anatomy of the problem Think of your veins as a one-way street with little security gates that open to allow blood to flow towards your heart and close to prevent that blood from sliding back. When these gates become weak, they let the blood slide backwards, causing it to build up inside the veins. This constant stress is what makes the veins bulge and take that twisted, enlarged look. Symptoms and early signs Varicose veins don’t aren’t necessarily accompanied with pain. For many people, it’s an issue of pure cosmetology they notice when they look at their legs. However, when some of the common symptoms that come along with varicose veins do appear, they are hard to ignore. As per the Mayo Clinic, those symptoms come in the form of persistent achy and heavy sensation in your legs, or burning, throbbing, and cramping sensation.
You may also experience swelling in the lower legs and ankles, along with an itchy feeling right around the veins. In most cases, pain is felt after you’ve been sitting or standing still for a longer period of time. Also,you may notice changes in the color, dryness, or irritation of the skin of the affected area. Who’s at risk? Common causes and risk factors 1. Valve dysfunction and venous pressure At the heart of the problem is a simple mechanical failure: the valves in your veins simply won’t do their job as they are supposed to. Normally, these tiny little gates open and shut to keep your blood engaged in the battle to defy gravity and flow toward your heart. When they weaken or become damaged, they no longer shut correctly. And that’s where the trouble begins, quite literally.
Your blood doesn’t flow upwards as it should, but instead flows backwards and starts to accumulate. This, of course, is called venous reflux. It’s as if your blood is stuck in a traffic jam from which there’s no escape. Eventually, the pressure of the accumulated blood causes the walls of the vein to balloon outward and stretch to accommodate it. This, of course, is the very reason why we see the telltale signs of varicose veins. 2. Age As with other health conditions, age plays one of the biggest roles when it comes to varicose veins. As years add up, the veins go through natural wear and tear. The walls of the veins become less flexible, and the the one-way valve becomes “leaky,” having troubles fighting gravity as it once did.
As the circulation of blood begins to slow with age, the blood has a better chance of pooling in your ankles and legs. This is more common with middle-aged and older adults but as with anything else, younger population is not entirely immune to this. 3. Family history Genetics is also a factor in whether or not you’ll deal with varicose veins at some point in your life. If one or both your parents have them, chances of you having them is higher. Varicose veins are basically a hereditary “hand me down,” as some people inherit weaker vein walls or valves that are more prone to giving out. For most part, it comes down to inherited differences in connective tissue, which can make your veins more likely to stretch and “balloon” under pressure. Although you cannot change your genetic makeup, knowing your family’s medical history is a way to get a head start on preventative measures before anything begins to appear on the surface. 4.
Sex and hormones Compared to men, women are more likely to be affected by varicose veins, research concludes, and this comes down to hormones. Both estrogen and progesterone cause the walls of the blood vessels to become more relaxed, which in turn allows the veins to become longer and the internal valves to begin malfunctioning. Just think of all the hormonal changes women experience throughout their lives. There is puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as the medications they may take, such birth control pills or hormone therapies. All this adds to the issue of varicose veins. 5. Pregnancy During pregnancy, the body needs to produce more blood in order to support the fetus, putting extra mileage on your circulatory system. The hormones also shift, the uterus grows bigger and presses on the pelvic veins, acting like a speed bump trying to climb back to your heart. While varicose veins that appear during pregnancy may eventually go away, they can also stick.
6. Obesity Carrying extra weight puts heavy burden on your leg veins. Over time, it allows the valves to weaken. On top of that, obesity usually means less physical activity, which in turn slows down blood flow. Therefore, maintaining healthy weight can play significant role in vein health. 7. Prolonged sitting or standing If your job requires prolonged sitting or standing, it leads to the blood flow in your legs to stall. The problem here is that your calf muscles, which are normally functioning as a second heart to pump blood up towards your heart, are completely dormant when you’re still. When this “pump” isn’t functioning, blood begins to build up, increasing the pressure on your veins and causing them to stretch and bulge.
Can varicose veins be prevented? While genetics, age, and hormonal changes are something that is out of our control, there are still evidence-based habits that can lower the likelihood of developing varicose veins or simply slow their progression. Stay active Physical activity involving walking, swimming, or cycling can be a real game-changer. These, and similar exercises, engage your “calf muscle pump” that pumps blood back to your heart. Watch your weight Maintaining a healthy weight eliminates the constant and heavy pressure on your veins, which helps relieve venous pressure considerably. Elevate your legs When you are resting or sleeping, raising your legs above the level of your heart is the best way to utilize the force of gravity in your favor. Wear proper clothing and footwear Forget the skin-tight pants, constricting waistbands, and high heels that can impede blood flow. Opt for comfortable, well-ventilated clothing and shoes that allow for unrestricted leg movement. Take movement breaks If your job requires you to be stuck on a chair or stand in place, make sure you take frequent movement breaks since changing positions and taking short walks prevents blood from slowing down.
Follow a vein-friendly diet As with many other health conditions, minding your diet can help in prevention of varicose veins. While no diet is in fact a magic cure, make sure you include foods rich in fiber, antioxidants, and flavonoids like berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, as well as whole grains. These foods can strengthen your vascular walls and support overall circulation. Freepik Conclusion If the change of your lifestyle and wearing compressing socks won’t do much for your problem with varicose veins, there are several medical treatments that can help depending on how serious your condition is. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, one of the more popular go-to solutions for varicose veins is sclerotherapy, in which a solution is injected directly into the vein to shut it down. Another solution for varicose veins is endovenous thermal ablation, in which a laser or radiofrequency heat treatment is used to “spot weld” the vein shut. For larger, more problematic veins, a microphlebectomy allows doctors to remove the veins through small nicks in the skin. In more serious cases, vein stripping may need to occur. According to the Mayo Clinic, varicose veins that are left untreated can cause a number of nasty side effects, including skin ulcers, color changes, and even blood clots, so it’s definitely worth looking into treatment as soon as possible.
*Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis or treatment of varicose veins or any medical condition. Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.