Pay Close Attention to Vein Health During these Life Stages
- Posted on: Jun 15 2017
More than 80 million people in the U.S. develop vein disease each year. Conditions such as varicose veins occur when the small valves that allow blood to move upward through the legs become weak or fail to function. The result is the bulging, ropey appearance that is nearly impossible to hide. Swelling means that blood is pooling in that part of the vein. This accumulation of blood can also cause physical symptoms such as burning, leg fatigue, and pain.
Because varicose veins are such a common, and such a frustrating condition, a lot of research goes in to find out why this problem occurs, and what may increase or decrease risk for vein disease. One of the important details that have been gleaned from the ongoing study is that there are three situations that could affect blood flow to the legs more than other factors. These are:
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is not believed to cause varicose veins. However, women who are predisposed to this condition may notice obvious swelling as their pregnancy progresses. It is estimated that 15% of pregnant women report the development of varicose veins during pregnancy, usually sometimes during the second trimester. There is the good reason for the increased risk during pregnancy. First, hormone levels fluctuate, causing changes to muscles and ligaments in the pelvic region, in particular. Second, a pregnant woman has substantially more blood flowing through her and her fetus. Finally, the growing baby places increasingly more pressure on the pelvis, which can impede blood flow from the legs upward. Many women who develop varicose veins during pregnancy find that the problem goes away after the body returns to its new normal state.
Sedentary Lifestyle
You may have heard that sitting or standing for too long increases the risk of varicose veins. It is not enough to go for a run or walk in the morning or at night. According to research, it is ideal to move around frequently throughout the day. If you work a desk job, stand up for 5 to 10 minutes every hour. Shake your legs out. Walk down the hall, or down a flight of stairs, if you can.
Mom and Dad
Yes, varicose veins are a bigger risk for people whose parents have vein disease. In fact, genetics is the primary factor that physicians use to uncover the reason for this condition.
Unfortunately, you can’t change your genetic makeup. What you can do is take good care of your body, and obtain appropriate treatment if varicose veins become symptomatic or unattractive. Vena Health and Wellness has multiple office locations to serve you. Call us today at 412-741-0480 to schedule a consultation.
Posted in: Vein Health