Just hearing the words, “varicose veins” probably calls to mind unsightly, purplish bulging veins on the back of a thigh, calf, or knee. And, yep, that’s pretty much what they look like, but did you know that you can get varicose veins from standing or sitting too much? It’s true. In fact, doctors, nurses, teachers and those with desk jobs are at a high risk of developing varicose veins, particularly because their jobs require that they stand or sit for long periods of time.
Why does standing or sitting worsen your varicose veins?
Veins carry your blood back up to your heart. Because of this, they have one-way valves that keep the blood from flowing backward. When the valve weakens or becomes damaged, blood pools in the vein. The vein then stretches and bulges with the excess blood.
Sitting or standing for long periods of time can hamper your circulation, put extra pressure on your legs, and cause varicose veins to develop or worsen.
Although varicose veins don’t always cause pain or discomfort, they can and sometimes do result in cramping, swelling, and feelings of heaviness in the legs. And when severe varicose veins are left untreated, it can sometimes result in a condition called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which causes blood clots to develop in the deep veins. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention, as blood clots can travel to other parts of the body and cause serious damage—even death.
If you have a job in which you must stand or sit for long periods of time, it’s important that you take additional precautions to prevent varicose veins. Start by keeping your weight under control and exercising regularly to improve circulation.
Advice for sitters:
- Get up and move around a bit every half hour or so.
- Avoid crossing your legs for long periods of time.
- Elevate your legs when you can.
Advice for standers:
- Avoid high heels.
- Shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes.
- Sit down and elevate your legs when you can.
If you already have varicose veins and want to eliminate them, we can help.
At San Diego Varicose Vein Treatment Center, we understand that even if your varicose veins are not causing you physical pain, they do cause embarrassment and detract from the beauty of your legs. And at this time of year, you want to show your legs off, right?
Well, we can help you get rid of your varicose veins for good. We offer several different methods of varicose vein treatment, and each one has been proven both safe and effective. Browse our website for more information on sclerotherapy, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, endovenous thermal ablation, and phlebectomy.
At San Diego Varicose Vein Treatment Center, you’re in great hands under the care of Cardiologist Dr. Behzad Taghizadeh. He’s highly specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins. Why would you go anywhere else?
Give us a call or drop by and see us to schedule a consultation today.
