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Varicose Veins – Dos and Don’ts

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regular exercise can help varicose veinsIt’s easy to dismiss varicose veins as a purely cosmetic issue, but when left untreated they do have the potential to lead to potentially serious issues. There are also things you could be doing right now which are making the problem worse.

If you have varicose veins, there are numerous things you should and shouldn’t be doing to ensure they don’t become an even bigger problem. Here we’ll look at some of the most important dos and don’ts.

Do – Wear compression stockings

Compression stockings are often dismissed as a waste of time, but the right ones do actually make a massive difference to your varicose veins. This is especially true if you spend long periods of time either on your feet or if you’re stationary for hours on end. They help to improve blood flow and reduce swelling.

The thing to remember with compression stockings however is that they are only a temporary solution and should ideally be worn until you undergo a more permanent treatment.

Don’t – Rely upon natural home remedies or ointments

If you research varicose vein treatments, you’ll come across a lot of so called miracle products claiming to help eliminate the problem. There’s also a lot of home remedies advertised which claim to work. Unfortunately, the majority of these ointments and home remedies are useless. They don’t help the problem so essentially, you’ll just end up wasting money and risking your varicose veins getting worse.

Do – Exercise frequently

Regular exercise can really help to minimise the symptoms of varicose veins. Not only does it help boost blood flow, but it also helps control weight. Varicose veins are often made worse, or brought on, by weight gain due to the pressure it places onto the legs. So, regular exercise is going to help lower your weight and in turn reduce unsightly veins.

Don’t – Wear high heeled shoes

This is probably one of the most surprising on the list, but high heeled shoes can place extra strain onto the calf muscles. This in turn can cause your varicose veins to get worse. Instead, opt for low heels or flat shoes until you can undergo treatment.

These are some of the most important do’s and don’ts you should follow if you’re suffering from varicose veins. However, it is better to seek treatment as soon as possible to eliminate the problem entirely. There are lots of different treatment options available and some are non-invasive. Contact us today to see what treatments could work for you.

Top 5 Varicose Vein Facts

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top 5 varicose vein factsVaricose veins may be a very common problem, but they’re still largely misunderstood. Here we’ll look at the top 5 varicose vein facts everyone should know.

1. Varicose veins aren’t the same as spider veins

Although they do look similar varicose veins and spider veins aren’t the same thing. The main difference is the size of the veins. Spider veins are pretty small and they’re also flat. Varicose veins on the other hand are large and often bulge out from the skin.

Of course, this isn’t always the case and some varicose veins don’t actually stick out. It can also be difficult to tell them apart based on colour. While varicose veins do tend to be bluish, they can also be red or purple, the same as spider veins. As it can be difficult to tell them apart, it does help to have them looked over by a vein specialist who will be able to tell you what you’re dealing with.

2. They can be dangerous

By far the biggest misconception about varicose veins is that they are 100% harmless. In most cases, varicose veins aren’t harmful and they are purely a cosmetic concern. However, they can get worse and lead to more serious health issues. Therefore, it is a good idea to have them treated as soon as possible.

3. They are caused by faulty or weak valves

The primary reason varicose veins occur is because the valves in the vein aren’t functioning properly. This could be a genetic issue where the valves are naturally faulty, or they could weaken due to pressure caused by weight gain for example.

4. Some people are more at risk than others

There are several risk factors which increase your chances of developing varicose veins. These include pregnancy, family history, weight gain and gender. Did you know for example, that women tend to develop varicose veins more than men? Age can also play a role as the risk of developing them increases as you get older.

5. There are plenty of treatment options available

While the range of treatment options available these days is impressive, many believe the only option open to them is surgery. This is because in the past, the only option was to have the veins surgically stripped. However, these days you have a range of treatments to choose from, including non-invasive procedures.

The treatment type that’s best for you will depend upon the severity of the varicose veins. Just some of the options include laser treatment, compression stockings and injections.

Overall, these are the top 5 facts about varicose veins everyone should know. It’s important to understand the facts and seek treatment as soon as you can. While varicose veins may not be necessarily harmful, they can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Contact the Cornwall Vein Clinic today to find out more and book a consultation.

Beware of Varicose Veins This Winter

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How to prevent your varicose veins from getting worse this winterWinter is often seen as a great time for varicose vein sufferers. The colder days give you the perfect excuse to cover up and hide your unsightly veins. However, did you know that it’s also the time of year which can lead to your varicose veins getting worse? Here we’ll look at how winter living can contribute to varicose veins and what you can do to prevent them getting worse.

How can winter affect your varicose veins?

There are a few things which can trigger varicose veins in the winter months including:

  • Weight gain
  • Little exercise
  • Hot baths and heat exposure

As the weather turns colder, it’s common to turn to hot comfort foods. Most people tend to eat more during the winter months; especially throughout the festive season. It’s not unusual to pile on the pounds over the winter months and it’s the weight gain which can cause a problem for varicose veins. As the legs become heavier, they find it increasingly difficult to pump blood efficiently. This in turn leads to increased discomfort for those already suffering from varicose veins.

While you eat more during the winter months, you tend to do less exercise. This again can make it difficult for the legs to pump blood effectively. So, the veins begin to pool with blood, making them ache and bulge out more than usual.

Finally, as it is a lot colder, you’re going to opt for hot baths and have the heating turned up; especially underfloor heating if you have it. Heat causes the veins to dilate, again making them bigger than normal.

How to prevent your veins getting worse this winter

If you want to prevent your varicose veins getting worse over the cold winter months, ensuring you don’t over indulge too much and keeping active will help. Calf exercises are especially effective. If you want to enjoy a nice bath, make sure it’s warm, rather than hot and try not to overuse the heating.

Of course, the only real way to prevent your varicose veins from getting worse this winter is to seek treatment. There are a lot of treatment options available, so why not contact us today and book a consultation?