How to Prevent Varicose Veins

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Pin ItArticle EditDiscussVaricose veins—gnarled, dilated blood vessels that occur most frequently in the legs—affect about half of the adult population of the United States. They are generally caused by pressure in the veins that, over time, weakens the vessel walls. For most people, varicose veins and spider veins (their smaller, capillary-based cousins) are merely unsightly nuisances, but they can also make walking and standing extremely painful, and in extreme cases, they can cause skin ulcers. While there is no sure way to prevent the formation of varicose veins, there are a number of things you can do to decrease your chances of getting them.

Edit Steps

Staying Fit1Exercise regularly. Walking and jogging improve circulation in the legs, and proper circulation helps ward off the development and worsening of varicose veins. Exercise also reduces overall high blood pressure and strengthens your entire circulatory system.

2Avoid prolonged standing. Standing in one place for a long time increases venous pressure in the legs and feet. Over time, this pressure weakens the blood vessel walls. Since prolonged standing is almost unavoidable in some jobs, mitigate the harm by shifting your position as frequently as possible, and try to walk around at least every 30 minutes.

If your job can be performed while sitting, see if you can arrange that. In some cases, a high stool or chair can be used to keep you at the height needed to deal with customers or activities, rather than standing.3Sit properly. Sit up straight and don’t cross your legs. Good posture improves circulation, while crossed legs restrict blood flow to and from the legs.

Pursuing Basic Preventative Health Measures1Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight will put undue pressure on your legs and circulatory system. Reducing weight will reduce the risks of varicose veins in many instances. Develop healthy eating habits and avoid foods with high calorie and low nutrition content. As well, exercise regularly. Through healthier eating and regular movement, you’ll help to reduce your varicose vein risk.

Be aware that some people are more prone to developing varicose veins than others, regardless of weight. In this case, it is still important to stay fit and healthy but you may need to speak with your doctor about other ways to reduce the risk.2Quit smoking. Smoking contributes to myriad health problems, but if you need one more reason, keep in mind that the high blood pressure associated with smoking also helps cause varicose veins.

3Avoid taking high-estrogen birth control pills. Long-term use of high-estrogen birth control pills has been shown to increase the risk of varicose veins by altering circulatory valve functioning.[1] If you require birth control for an extended period of time, ask your health care provider about other options.

Relax More1Put your feet up for a while. Especially if you have to stand up for long periods, take time to relax your legs and improve circulation by elevating your legs and feet for several minutes throughout the day or when you finish your shift. With your doctor’s blessing, you might also try using an inversion table or elevating the foot of your bed so that your feet are slightly higher than your head when you sleep. Taking pressure off the legs and letting gravity act on your body a little differently from time to time will help prevent blood from pooling in the veins.

Using Clothing Wisely1Redesign your wardrobe. Improve circulation to your lower body by avoiding tight-fitting clothes on your legs and around your waist. Prefer softer, less clinging clothing, such as yoga pants and track pants.

Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes instead of high heels, and make sure your shoes are properly fitted.2Wear compression hose. If you’re developing varicose veins, try regularly using compression hose (support hose). These can be purchased at medical supply stores or pharmacies and come in a variety of different compressions.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you get the proper fit and compression level.If flying, discuss getting compression hose with your medical adviser. These can help reduce strain on your legs and may be helpful for preventing the worsening of existing varicose veins.

Getting Medical Treatment1Consider medical options. While the steps above can help prevent the appearance of varicose veins, stop new ones from forming, and reduce the size and painfulness of existing ones, medical treatment may be advisable if you are in severe pain or if these less severe methods don’t work. Treatments include sclerotherapy, laser surgery, and vein stripping. Consult your physician to determine the best option for you.

Edit TipsVaricose veins are more common in women, but they affect a large number of men, as well. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop varicose veins, but they can form at any age, and heredity may be a factor in their formation.While varicose veins are generally not a serious health concern, they can indicate potentially more harmful conditions. If you see varicose veins developing, take the opportunity to get a full medical checkup and discuss your health with your physician.Most insurance plans in the United States cover treatment of varicose veins. Spider veins are also occasionally covered. In other countries, check with your own insurance or government-funded provider.Icing where the varicose is usually works or a hot rag to relax the muscles and pain in your feet! Smiles!

Edit WarningsSee your doctor immediately if a varicose vein begins bleeding, if you experience sudden pain or swelling in your legs or feet, or if you notice a lump developing in or near a varicose vein.It is not advisable to try and "break up" a varicose vein with any form of manual therapy, such as massage or vibration. This can cause an embolus, which can, in turn, get lodged in the capillaries of the heart and cause a heart attack, the brain and cause a stroke, or the lungs and cause a respiratory infarction. All of which can lead to death.Beware expensive, unconventional therapies. While most such "treatments" are harmless, they are also usually ineffective. The same can be said of herbal supplements that claim to cure varicose veins. Some supplements may indeed help prevent or treat the problem, but the jury is still out, and many companies make unsubstantiated claims. Always check with your doctor before using an herbal supplement. Physicians may not be able to confirm or refute an herbalist’s claims, but they should be able to discuss potentially harmful side effects of certain herbal preparations.

Edit Related wikiHowsHow to Prevent Spider VeinsHow to Start Your Own Exercise Regimen and Stick to ItHow to Exercise While Sitting at Your ComputerHow to Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)How to Get Rid of Black Circles Under Your Eyes

Edit Sources and Citations? http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/contraceptivepills.htmCleveland Clinic, http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/guide/disease/vascular/varicosespiderveins.htm - research sourceMayo Clinic, http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00256.html CNN.com - research sourceArticle Info Featured Article

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