Varicose Veins – Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Varicose Veins are those twisted, big veins that seem to bulge out of your leg. Sometimes varicose veins cause pain, other times they are more of a cosmetic concern.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Simply described, varicose veins are caused by a circulation discrepancy. Our heart pumps rich oxygen from the lungs via the heart to the arteries. Then the veins carry this deoxygenated blood back to the heart so that it can get re-oxygenated again. But somewhere along the way, this circulation gets blocked because the veins are narrower and twisted and then they enlarge. So in essence the output and input are different. As a result, you can see and feel the enlargement of the veins which are various veins.

Causes of varicose veins include:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Age over 50
• Family history of varicose veins
• Standing for long periods of time

Varicose Vein Removal

There are several procedures that can remove varicose veins. To get rid of the varicosities there are several varicose vein removal treatments such as:

• Striping the veins
• Injecting the veins
• Lasering the veins

How to Avoid Varicose Veins

There are a few natural remedies that you can do to help prevent varicose veins from forming.

1. Move around – there is significant research that shows that people who sit or stand a lot are more prone to varicose veins. If you are moving around then the muscle pump is working and you will have better circulation preventing varicose veins from forming.
2. Exercise regularly – if you have a regular routine for exercise it helps keep you moving and this will also help to prevent swelling in the ankles from excessive sitting.

How Best to Manager Your Varicose Veins

If you have varicose veins and a job that demands you sit or stand all day, consider wearing a compression sock. The benefits of compression socks is that it is an easy way to get the blood flowing in the legs while you are sitting or standing. Compression socks have graduated compression which means they are tighter at the ankle and then gradually looser at the top. Usually, compression is measured in millimetres of mercury or mmHG. Off the shelf compression socks, commonly marketed as travel socks are 8-15mmHG. Medical grade compression socks require a prescription and are 20-30mmHG. Severe cases of varicose veins will require a 30-40mmHG. Mobility on Mainway clinicians can assess to determine if you need compression socks to get your blood pumping. Contact us to make an appointment today at 289-245-6624.

The most beneficial compression socks are gradient compression socks. These compression socks work like toothpaste in a tube! If you squeeze a tube of toothpaste from the bottom up the toothpaste goes up the tube and out. But if you squeeze it from the middle (a real pet peeve for many!) it goes everywhere! The compression socks are tighter on the ankle so it squeezes the veins from the bottom up, helping with the upwards movement and increasing the circulation. This upwards movement helps to counteract gravity and constant sitting.

Due to their tightness, compression socks can feel tight, but you will get used to them. They are totally worth it!

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Mobility on Mainway is your mobility expert. From services and consultations to assure that you are comfortable on your feet to a variety of supportive products; we can do all we can to get you out and on your feet once more while staying as comfortable as you can. Want more information? Come book a consultation with us and browse our available products at mobilityonmainway.com