VARICOSE VEINS

They usually don’t hurt. They don’t cause disease. And about two-thirds of women and half of all men have them. They’re so common, in fact, that many experts say they’re no more of a medical problem than having freckles.

But varicose veins are a problem for some people, if only because they can mark the surface of the skin with lacy (and occasionally bumpy) networks of red or blue veins. Varicose veins occur when tiny valves in the veins that normally keep blood flowing toward the heart weaken or collapse. This can cause blood to pool inside the veins. When enough blood accumulates, the veins begin to swell or even break, causing varicose veins. Anyone can get them, but they often occur during pregnancy or as a result of being overweight, when increases in pressure damage the vein walls.

Put your feet up. What better way is there to end your day than by putting your feet up? Raising your legs above the level of the heart will allow gravity to help pull blood out of the leg veins and send it toward the heart. This will often reduce swelling as well as aches, doctors say.

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WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
When varicose veins are extremely large – or when certain large veins deep
inside the legs are affected – doctors sometimes recommend surgery to
remove them. Often, the best care is home care.
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Give your legs a rest. People who spend all day standing, like waitresses or cashiers, often have trouble with varicose veins because standing makes it harder for blood to return to the heart. You’ll do your legs a favor by getting off your feet and sitting down whenever you can.

Or keep them on the move. Even though standing still can make varicose veins worse, walking around or climbing stairs often makes them better because flexing muscles in your legs helps the veins work more efficiently at moving blood along.

Take one in the morning and one at night. Aspirin is often recommended as a blood thinner and it may help people with varicose veins. Ask your doctor if taking one aspirin every morning and another one at night will help the blood flow more freely and if it is safe for you.

Break the habit. Smoking cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict, which makes it harder for the blood to get through. There’s some evidence that giving up cigarettes may help reduce the risk of varicose veins.

Give your legs some support. They’re not for everyone, but for some people, support stockings can be very helpful. Available from pharmacies and physicians, the stockings put pressure on the legs and veins, which helps prevent blood from pooling.

Check your weight. If you’ve been putting on weight lately, your legs may be paying the price. People who are overweight are more likely to get varicose veins simply because they have more pressure in their legs that can weaken the veins.