While I was pregnant, however, I noticed more than just spider veins. I could tell I was developing varicose veins on the backs of my knees and was already starting to feel the ache from them. Horrified - I tried every remedy in the book to help prevent any future problems.
I am only 26 now, but I'm quite certain I have one or two varicose veins on at least one of my legs and starting yesterday, they have really started to ache.
I've decided to pass on a few tips for those who want to prevent ever getting varicose veins, or for those who may already think they are developing some themselves...
(And, "NO", this picture is not a picture of my leg - my varicose veins aren't that bad yet!)
Here are some causes of varicose veins as described off the Mayo Clinic's website:
AGE - Aging causes wear and tear on the valves in your veins that help regulate blood flow. Eventually, that wear causes the valves to malfunction.
SEX - Women are more likely than men are to develop the condition. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, premenstruation or menopause may be a factor. Female hormones tend to relax vein walls. Taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills may increase your risk of varicose veins.
GENETICS - If other family members had varicose veins, there's a greater chance you will too.
OBESITY - Being overweight puts added pressure on your veins.
Standing for long periods of time. Your blood doesn't flow as well if you're in the same position for long periods.
In order to prevent or lessen varicose veins you need to:
EXERCISE - When you exercise, you create blood circulations in your legs.
WEIGHT - Obesity causes undue pressure on your veins - watch what you eat by keeping a low-salt/high fiber diet.
CLOTHES - Avoid high heels and tight clothes around your waist, legs, or groin. Tight clothes restrict blood circulation. High heels don't allow your calf muscles to exercise--lower heels will exercise your calf muscles and in turn increase blood circulation. Compression stockings are also helpful in increasing blood circulation in your legs.
MOVEMENT - Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. Move around every 30 minutes or more.
ELEVATION - Elevating your legs to at or above your heart level will help make blood circulation easy for your body.
POSTURE - DO NOT sit with your legs crossed. This cuts of blood circulation.
SURGERY - When all else fails, there are simple surgeries that can be performed to either reduce, or in some cases, completely exonerate varicose veins.
If any of you are familiar with this problem and have any other tips to share, please do!
I have a friend who had a really bad one on the back of her leg. She got it from pregnancy. Her insurance is paying to treat me. All she had to do was tell her doc it's painful and she can't stop thinking about it. She said it's a very simple treatment that should be permanet.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try and cross my legs less! A long time ago, I heard that this can cause varicose veins. Thanks for posting these tips, they're very helpful.
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