Varicose Veins, The Best Ways to Treat Them, and How to Prevent Their Appearance

Varicose veins are a common, but unfortunate, occurrence for many people. These varicose veins occur when the small vessels that carry blood from your legs back to your heart become enlarged and move out of the way. As a result, they appear as blue lines along your skin and are often mistaken for spider veins. Although they can be disheartening to see, you can prevent their appearance. Read on to find out the causes of varicose veins and how you can start treating them as well as prevent their reoccurrence.

What are the 3 Causes of Varicose Veins?

Blood vessels are like highways that transport blood from places like your arms, legs, and heart to places like your skin and internal organs. Veins are like smaller, less traveled roads that are connected to the highways and also help to regulate blood pressure and to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of your body. Blood vessels are dependent on the endothelium – the inner lining of the veins – to maintain their patency (open state). In people with inadequate vascular patency, veins may become blocked by excess tissue, such as a thrombosed (blood clotted) hematoma (a swollen accumulation of blood) from an injury, or fibrosis (scarring) from chronic inflammation.

Tight calf muscles

The calf muscles help in increasing the blood pressure in the leg by pressing the veins that carry blood back towards the heart. When the muscles are too tight, the veins begin to get blocked. Consequently, the legs feel swollen and ached. To prevent this, you should stretch your calf muscles and make your legs more flexible. You can also massage your legs with a head massager or ankle roller.

Sickle-cell disease

This inherited blood disorder is the major cause of varicose veins. People with this condition have large numbers of red blood cells with an unusual shape that can block the blood vessels. The sickle-cell anemia is named so because the blood cells look like a sickle. The red blood cells with this abnormality can block the small blood vessels, resulting in varicose veins.

Obesity and pregnancy

Excess weight, especially in the legs, can lead to varicose veins. When you are obese, the pressure put on your legs from sitting and standing is increased. If you are very obese, you may experience leg swelling and aching.

How to Treat Varicose Veins and Prevent Their Appearance

If you have had varicose veins in the past, it is important to prevent their reoccurrence. You can do this by treating any existing varicose veins and preventing excess weight gain in the legs.

You are likely to develop varicose veins if you spend too long sitting down. Try to get up and walk around every hour or two

Reducing salt intake, salty foods

Avoiding alcohol

exercising daily, walking a mile keeping good hygiene