Varicose Veins
Varicose veins
can wreak havoc on a person’s
self-image, especially when the
warm weather arrives and shorts
come out of the closet.
Varicose veins can best be
described as twisted and
enlarged veins that stand out
from the surface of the skin.
They can be unsightly and
embarrassing in some cases, but
in others, varicose veins are
actually a cause for health
concern and can result in pain
and discomfort.
Anyone can get varicose veins and any vein can become varicose.
However, the most commonly affected veins are those in the legs and feet. This is due to the increased pressure associated with a lifestyle that includes standing, walking and being upright. The veins of the body carry blood back to the heart after it has dropped off its oxygen. There are tiny valves in the veins that prevent “backflow” since veins have to work against gravity to get the blood from the legs back up to the heart. As we age, these valves sometimes malfunction or grow weaker, in addition to the fact that veins stretch and become more elastic with age. Over time, blood begins to pool in the lower extremity veins; resulting in bulging, large veins which look blue (this is because the blood is deoxygenated).
The most at risk group of individuals for varicose veins include pregnant women, overweight and obese individuals, people who stand for long periods of time (i.e. a job requires them to be on their feet all day), individuals with family members who also have varicose veins (genetics!), the elderly and finally women tend to get varicose veins more than men.
There are various methods to treat varicose veins, especially if they become a detrimental to a person’s health. There are non-invasive therapies as well as invasive, surgical procedures.
Exercise helps to prevent varicose veins from developing in the first place and also helps to keep the current ones from becoming worse.
Weight loss will also be
beneficial for the
overweight/obese individual.
If a person is required to stand
for long intervals, it is best
to take sitting breaks and to
elevate the legs when possible
to help the blood return to the
heart. Wear loose fitting
clothes; avoid clothing which
restricts the blood flow.
For extremely stubborn or potentially dangerous varicose veins there are other options. They include sclerotherapy which seals off the varicose veins. The body reroutes the blood to healthier and stronger veins and within a short period of time the varicose veins will go away. Smaller varicose veins and those found in the head and neck region can be treated with laser surgery. In theory, the outcome is the same as sclerotherapy; laser surgery closes off the varicose veins causing them to eventually disappear. However, in laser surgery a light beam is used whereas in sclerotherapy
a solution is injected into the
veins.
Several other
procedures are also used such as
catheter-assisted procedures (a
heated catheter tip is used to
shut off the vein) and also vein
stripping. In this case
the vein is actually removed and
other veins, deeper in the leg,
take on the volume of blood of
the removed vein.
To prevent the
formation of varicose veins it
is important to remember the
value of staying fit, exercising
and remaining at a healthy body
mass index and a healthy weight.
Additionally, keep leg-crossing
to a minimum as this may
restrict the flow of blood, and
try to avoid tight clothing.
However, remember, varicose veins are a normal part of aging and may occur regardless of the prevention measures taken.
Back to more health and nutrition tips
and advice
To teach and learn money skills, personal finance, money management, business,
careers, and life skills please go to the Money
Instructor home page.
