Varicose veins, also called varicosities, are swollen veins that may bulge near the surface of the skin. These blue or purple, sometimes squiggly veins are most likely to show up in your legs. Varicose veins may sometimes be painful, and the physician might in extreme cases even need to suggest surgery. So get your condition detected soon, to avoid further complications.
Varicose veins occur when the superficial veins in the skin of the legs dilate (enlarge), and appear on the surface as lumpy, purple-coloured cords. This is often, due to the incompetency of the function of the valves in the veins. Common reasons are heredity and lifestyle habits such as standing for a long duration of time. Women are more susceptible to varicose veins than men; also obesity increases the pressure on the superficial veins, which may aggravate the condition.
Here are some tips to prevent or at least minimise varicose veins:
* Strive to stay within your recommended weight range. Lose weight if you are over weight.
* Avoid standing for long periods of time.
* Exercise or walk regularly to keep blood flowing to your legs.
* Elevate your feet and legs whenever possible. Use a stool to rest your legs on when you're sitting, and keep your feet elevated on a pillow when lying down.
* Don't cross your legs or ankles when sitting.
* Don't sit for long periods without taking breaks to move around.
* Avoid tight fitting clothes. Tight jeans, tights and stockings restrict circulation exacerbating varicose veins.
* Avoid snug fitting shoes and high heels.
* Wear special support hose or compression stockings. They're tight at the ankle and get looser as they go up the leg. They help prevent swelling and may keep your varicose veins from getting worse.
Important Tip: To prevent blood from pooling in your legs, put the stockings on before getting out of bed in the morning, while you're still lying down, and keep them on all day.
Exercise
Regular exercise can help avoid excessive fat build-up; will maintain good circulation and tone the blood vessels.
- Gentle walking, swimming, yoga and stretching exercises are wonderful.
- Try to spend about ten minutes each day in a position in which your feet are raised above your hips. You could prop your legs up against a wall or a bed / sofa.
“When can varicose veins become serious?”
Varicose veins may itch or hurt and can be unsightly, but they're generally harmless. A small percentage of people who have varicose veins develop small blood clots near the skin's surface, a condition called superficial venous thrombosis. When this kind of clot develops, the vein may feel hard and rope-like, and the area around it may become red, hot, tender or painful. Usually, these clots aren't serious, but be sure to consult your doctor if you think you have one.
Occasionally the area surrounding a clot becomes infected and could be accompanied by chills or fever. Call your doctor right away if either of your legs becomes significantly swollen or has sores, or the skin near the veins changes colour.
“My mother had varicose veins when she was pregnant. Does this mean I will get them too?”
Alas, varicose veins tend to run in families. You're more likely to get them if other members of your family have had them. But just because it's in your genes doesn't mean you have to be resigned to your fate. Follow my tips listed below and there is every chance that you could overcome your predisposition.
* Varicose veins tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you get older. Being overweight, carrying twins or more and standing for long periods can also make you more susceptible.
* The symptoms of varicose veins aren't difficult to recognise but they vary in severity. You may have little or no discomfort from them, or they may make your legs feel heavy and achy. The skin around a varicose vein may also itch, throb, or feel like it's burning. The symptoms tend to get worse at the end of the day, especially if you've been on your feet a lot.
* The good news is that this condition tends to improve after you give birth, particularly if you didn't have any before you got pregnant. But, if they don't get better, don't be unduly alarmed. There are a variety of effective ways to treat them.
During pregnancy
Many women first develop varicose veins, or find that they get worse, during pregnancy. Here's why — as your uterus grows, it puts pressure on the large vein on the right side of your body (the inferior vena cava), which in turn increases pressure in the leg veins (veins are the blood vessels that return blood to your heart). Also, when you're pregnant, the amount of blood in your body increases, adding to the burden on your veins. And your progesterone levels rise, causing the walls of your blood vessels to expand.
The writer is a certified Clinical Exercise Specialist, Lifestyle and Weight Management Specialist.
