5 Things You Should Know About Varicose Veins

Unsightly and simply a cosmetic issue, but Varicose Veins are much more than that. Ugly and sometimes painful and uncomfortable, Varicose Veins are a sign of venous insufficiency, when the veins fail to adequately circulate blood from the legs back to the heart. Over 30% of adults in India suffer from Varicose Veins. Though there are many treatments available for these what is more important is that you should be well informed about Varicose Veins. Here are five things you should know about this condition and what it means for you:

1. These are primarily genetic

Hereditary is one of the leading causes of Varicose Veins. If anyone of the parent has Varicose Veins then the chances that their children will have these too are as high as 40 percent. Also, these can come from both either mother of the father, though women are more likely to suffer from Varicose Veins but men get them too.

2. Pregnancy may cause Varicose Veins

The growing fetus can put increasing amounts of pressure on the inferior vena cava, the vein that drains blood from the lower limbs. Pregnancy also causes an excess production of hormones, which in turn causes the smooth muscle of the veins to relax, increasing the tendency for them to enlarge.  But you need not worry as these start improving within a year of giving birth to the child.

3. Exercise can help in Varicose Veins

Exercises help you in maintaining your weight and also help you cut the excess weight on your body. If you are overweight then that excess weight in the abdomen area can lead to the development of Varicose Veins. Any exercises that get your blood moving—including walking, swimming and using the stairs—will suffice. Not only exercising helps you in varicose veins but they are very beneficial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle free from any ailments.

4. Lifestyle changes can help

Apart from your exercises, few healthy lifestyle changes can help you fight Varicose Veins with ease. Healthy changes in the diet like taking potassium-high foods can help a lot against Varicose Veins. Not wearing high heels for prolonged periods instead wearing supportive shoes, wearing clothes that are not too tight also help to a great extent. Wearing compression stockings helps support blood flow and will be very useful in treating Varicose Veins.

5. Varicose Veins can cause other medical complications

Although it is generally considered as a cosmetic but not giving it proper attention and treatment can make Varicose Veins more worse and lead to other medical complications. Blood clots can form in varicose veins and can result in a painful inflammatory reaction. One may develop leg swelling. In more severe cases, wounds can form, typically at the level of the ankle, which can be slow to heal due to changes in blood flow.

It is always said that one should know his disease or ailments properly before treating them. Although more often the risk factors for Varicose are beyond one’s control like genetics & pregnancy among others, but if we know about it in & out we can treat them in a better way. So, Varicose is not a life-threatening disease but giving it proper care and treatment is very important and necessary before it starts hindering you to live a healthy life.