Varicose veins are unsightly and uncomfortable and can lead to even more serious health problems. All of these problems should be dealt with as soon as possible. This guide provides information on what varicose veins are and how they are caused to identify the possible symptoms and know why it’s important to get help when you spot them to prevent worsening symptoms.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins occur in people who have excess and irregular blood circulation. They get this name because they can often be felt as a bulge, especially in the leg veins, or as a general vein-like swelling. Varicose veins are also known as spider veins or elephant legs, but these terms can also apply to other types of vein problems.
The varicose vein is not a true dilating or ruptured vein but rather the result of the bulging caused by thickened and swollen deep venous blood moving through weakened capillaries surrounding the affected area. According to various experts such as vein doctor in Ardsley, NY Varicose veins can occur anywhere in the body with superficial veins, including the legs, arms, etc.
Learning More About The Symptoms Of Varicose Veins
Several common symptoms show the signs of varicose veins in your ankles, such as aching, itching, burning sensation, restless legs, or frequent cramping. Apart from it, vein doctor in Ardsley , NY says that you can also suffer leg heaviness or fatigue, etc. Knowing what to watch out for may help you identify whether the symptoms of varicose veins raise red flags.
Since varicose veins are often caused by chronic venous insufficiency, it’s important to know what makes up this condition to understand if some specific symptoms should be alarming or nothing serious. In addition, those with these diseases can experience more than just leg pain and discomfort and skin problems like eczema and aches in other body areas. So what is Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)?
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when a vein problem results in blood flowing back into the legs. According to the American College of Phlebology, this can result in swelling and blood clots. In addition, CVI can cause people to be at an increased risk for other diseases, such as varicose veins or even heart disease or pulmonary embolism.
How To Prevent Varicose Veins?
There are several steps you can take to prevent and treat varicose veins. Some of the home remedies are listed below.
Diet
Change your diet to include more potassium and less sodium. Potassium is an important element in your body’s cellular function, but it also helps lower blood pressure. It is found in avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, beans, and peas. Less sodium in your diet means that you’ll have less fluid retention in general, not just around your veins.
Lose weight
Lose weight if you are overweight or obese. Fat tissue can put a lot of pressure on the veins in your legs and abdomen, leading to varicose veins. Exercising regularly will help you lose weight while strengthening the muscles around your legs so that they can support more of their weight naturally.
Wear compression stockings
Your doctor will be able to prescribe this for you, and it is the best way to prevent varicose veins. Compression stockings are a tight and specially designed form of socks that constrict the area around your legs to prevent swelling and support the veins in your legs. Compression stockings work best when worn all day long, every day, and should never be taken off.
They are often difficult to get used to wearing all day long, but once you do, it becomes second nature. You’re lucky if you’ve never had a problem with varicose veins before. But if this condition affects you, or has affected anyone close to you, then it can be a real problem.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
There are several causes of varicose veins. A lot of it is down to genetics if you have them in one family or not, but some other factors affect and can cause varicose veins:
- Any medical condition that affects your legs and veins, such as being overweight, can cause varicose veins. In addition, lifting objects with your legs for long periods can put a lot of strain on the veins in your legs, so if you’re doing this kind of work, make sure you take breaks.
- A prolonged standing position can also result in varicose veins, especially if you are on your feet all day at work. There’s also a correlation between varicose veins and long periods of standing or sitting still. When you stand for a long period, your legs will be flexed, meaning that the veins in your legs are stretched and compressed. When this happens for a long time, it can cause varicose veins. This can also happen when you sit in one position for too long.
One thing that vein doctor in Ardsley, NY tell to prevent varicose veins is to increase the amount of aerobic exercise you do. This will cause your blood vessels to expand and contract, which affects regular position changes. You can also do resistance training and try a healthy diet and nutritional supplements. This is especially good for athletes as it will considerably improve circulation in your legs.
For example, try swimming and biking, but walking around the park or on a treadmill can be more beneficial than going for a jog because you’ll be moving in all different ways. You can try these methods to prevent mild symptoms of varicose veins.
