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How to Reduce Your Risk of Getting Varicose Veins

Twisted, gnarled, dilated and/or puffy, varicose veins are known for being unsightly, not to mention painful. Anyone who’s dealt with these veins can attest to the overall discomfort of burning, itching, cramping and throbbing that’s associated with having them on the body. That’s why, for many people, the biggest question about varicose veins is knowing how to prevent them. What can you do to stop from getting varicose veins? Are there some habits you can implement to ensure you’ll never deal with these uncomfortable, unattractive annoyances? Are there any secrets to prevention? Unfortunately, the answer is no. You can’t guarantee you’ll never get them—but, here’s the good news, you can lessen your chances.

How can you reduce your risk for varicose veins? Here are some tips:

1. Avoid extended sitting or standing. Staying in one position for long periods of time puts extended pressure on parts of the body. So if you must stand or sit for extended periods of time, try to take frequent breaks and shift your position as much as you can, giving your body a chance at freer blood flow and a break from that pressure.
2. Exercise regularly. Even a low-impact method of exercise such as walking reaps countless benefits for health. Because exercise promotes good blood circulation, it can help keep blood flowing throughout your veins and, by extension, lower the chances of varicose veins developing or worsening.
3. Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight on the body means extra pressure on the veins—a definite risk factor for vein issues. By keeping your weight to a healthy number, you do your veins a favor.
4. Eat a healthy diet. Eating a diet that’s high in fiber and low in sodium can help alleviate some of the pressure and swelling associated with varicose veins.
5. Stop smoking. Smoking causes all kinds of negative side effects in the body, so quit this habit if you’re looking to improve your overall health. As it relates to veins, smoking can increase blood pressure and contribute to poor blood flow, thereby increasing the risk for varicose veins.

The above strategies not only reduce your risks for getting varicose veins, but also they may help lower discomfort associated with having them. In either case, they are beneficial habits to implement for preventing, slowing or easing the frustrations associated with varicose veins.

Interested in learning more about varicose veins, such as ways to treat them when they occur? Contact us anytime at 908-788-0066 to schedule a free consultation.

Why Exercise Is Good for Vein Problems

Anyone who deals with varicose veins—or the similar, smaller version known as spider veins—knows how frustrating vein problems can be. These twisted, bulging veins can throb, burn, itch, cramp or even swell. Often they require medical treatment. For the one in four American adults who have varicose veins, there are frequently accompanying issues, like skin damage or even blood clots. Are you are noticing symptoms of what could be varicose veins or know you have them and are wondering if exercise is safe? Here is the good news: self-care strategies like exercise can sometimes help.

What Exercise Does for Veins

Exercise may ease the discomforts of varicose veins and keep them from getting worse. How? Even a low-impact exercise, like walking, can have a powerful effect on the body. It encourages blood circulation and gets the blood moving throughout your body. Sitting or standing in the same position for long periods of time can create vein problems. Regular movement, such as exercise, can actually discourage them. Likewise, exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. This is another way to take pressure off your legs and promote good blood flow.

Other Preventative Strategies

If you are curious about other preventative strategies for vein problems beyond exercise, here are a few possibilities. When combined with a lifestyle of regular movement, these options can potentially prevent the risk of vein issues and help with existing problems.

• Keeping weight low
• Eating a high-fiber diet
• Eating a low-sodium diet
• Avoiding high heels
• Avoiding tight hosiery
• Elevating the legs

Generally speaking, exercise is good for the body and its veins, primarily because it is good for circulation. The more blood gets moving through the body, the better. Patients who are concerned that exercise makes vein problems worse, can try wearing compression stockings during workouts, as well as elevating legs after cooling off.

Why It is So Important to Treat Your Vein Problems

When you have a minor problem with veins in your legs, you might be tempted to delay treatment – but this could actually backfire. The longer you wait, the more time there is for vein problems to worsen. The sooner you see a specialist, the sooner you can get your condition diagnosed and treated.

How Vein Problems Worsen

What may begin as a mere annoyance, over time, those enlarged veins you see beneath the skin can grow into swollen, twisted, painful veins which diminish blood flow. Vein problems might be more subtle with the only signs being swelling and feelings of heaviness and fatigue in the legs.

Why Seek Treatment Early?

When you come to our office with early stage vein issues, we can recommend the best treatment options. Those options can include simple lifestyle changes, such as exercise and weight loss. Other treatments might include sclerotherapy, phlebectomy, and laser. Our newest treatment option does not require needles or using compression stockings afterwards.

Call The Vein Institute of Hunterdon today at 908-788-0066 to set up your free exam – and be assured your veins are in good hands!

What Is the Difference between Varicose and Spider Veins?

When you’re talking about those raised, swollen blood vessels often found on the legs, are you talking about varicose veins or spider veins? Or when you have small, red, purple or blue veins that twist and turn all over the skin, which kind or those? Are varicose and spider veins the same thing? How are they different? How are they alike? To help answer these questions, here’s a look at some of the basics of these two types of vein issues and why they matter.

Varicose Veins and Spider Veins: How They’re Alike

Both of these vein conditions stem from similar root issues. With varicose veins, the problems stems from non-functioning valves of blood vessels. The blood moving through the vein can’t move forward properly so it goes backwards, causing an enlarged vein. Spider veins come from the same issue, although their likelihood can be worsened by conditions like obesity, heredity, pregnancy and menopause.

Varicose Veins and Spider Veins: How They Differ

Varicose and spider veins have a lot in common, but the main way they differ is in appearance. Varicose veins are raised, swollen blood vessels that twist and turn beneath the skin. Spider veins, similarly, are smaller blood vessels in various colors, such as red, purple and blue. Additionally, varicose veins can be very painful, while spider veins typically don’t hurt. Spider veins are typically smaller and more superficial, whereas varicose veins are larger and deeper.

Warning Signs of These Conditions

In addition to the visual cues for vein conditions, there are other warning signs. When you’re experiencing some or all of the following symptoms, you may be dealing with varicose or spider veins:

• Leg muscle cramps
• Throbbing, burning and/or itching sensations in the legs
• Tiredness in the legs
• Swollen ankles and/or legs

The good news is, whichever of these conditions you’re facing, we have a variety of effective treatments available. Contact us The Vein Institute of Hunterdon to set up a free consultation to look at your veins and determine the best course of treatment. We’ll be happy to serve you!

Varicose Veins and Pregnancy

Varicose veins are raised, swollen and often uncomfortable blood vessels usually found in the legs. Symptoms may include heaviness, swelling, skin darkening, numbness, aching pain, leg fatigue, itching and/or irritation.

Many women first notice varicose veins during pregnancy. While pregnancy does not cause varicose veins, it can worsen its symptoms. Pregnancy increases the amount of blood in a woman’s body, which in some cases, lead to enlarged veins. This is especially true at the end of pregnancy when the uterus puts greater pressure on the veins in the legs.

Helpful Tips:

• Walking daily can help your circulation.
• Elevate your legs whenever you can.
• Try to keep within the recommended weight range for your pregnancy.
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
• Do not sit with your legs or ankles crossed. Flex your ankles when possible.
• Wear compression stockings.
• Take breaks and move around if you sit or stand for long periods of time.

Varicose veins tend to improve after pregnancy. If they don’t improve, there are medical treatments and procedures to treat them quickly and with minimal recovery time. A physician can determine the best course of action after an evaluation. These procedures can help reduce leg fatigue, swelling, pain and discomfort.

Contact our office to schedule your vein evaluation today.

Understanding the Causes of Varicose Veins

Raised, swollen and often uncomfortable, varicose veins affect both men and women. These thickened, dilated blood vessels don’t control blood flow properly, so instead of blood flowing one way, it flows backward, weakening the vein walls in the process. Patients who suffer from varicose veins may experience symptoms like leg heaviness, swelling, skin darkening, numbness in the legs, aching pain, easily tired legs or even itching and irritation. What causes this situation? Why do varicose veins occur? Here are some of the top causes and aggravators:

1. Genetics. If someone in your family has varicose veins, you are much more likely to get it yourself. In fact, about 80 percent of the time, the condition is an inherited one.
2. Age. As a person ages, his or her veins tend to lose elasticity. As they stretch and weaken, the blood inside may reverse directions and pool in the veins, causing enlarged veins.
3. Pregnancy. While pregnancy does not cause varicose veins, it can worsen its symptoms. Pregnancy boosts the amount of blood in a woman’s body, which may, in some cases, lead to enlarged veins. This is especially true at the end of pregnancy when the uterus puts greater pressure on the veins in the legs. Likewise, women in the last 14 days of their menstrual cycles are also at higher risks.
4. Long Periods of Standing. As with pregnancy, long periods of standing alone won’t cause varicose veins; however, it, as well as obesity, can worsen it.

The Vein Institute of Hunterdon offers a variety of office-based procedures and treatments to improve your symptoms. Let us help you reduce leg fatigue, swelling and discomfort.

Contact us today to learn more!