Can Varicose Veins Be Prevented If They Run In the Family?

Anyone can develop varicose veins, but your risk of developing them will be significantly higher if they run in your family. Your risk will be higher if both your parents have had varicose veins in the past, but your risk will still be substantial even if only one parent had these veins.

Board-certified general surgeon Dr. Matthew Lynch at Lynch Vein & Aesthetics in Peoria, AZ understands how problematic varicose veins can be, but he also wants his clients to understand that they can be prevented or lessened even if they run in the family. You may feel that varicose veins are going to be a problem for a while, but you don’t have to worry about what you’re getting out of these veins when you look at what can work for your needs.

What can I do to avoid varicose veins?

While the potential for developing varicose veins will never completely go away, you can do a few things to reduce your risk of developing varicose veins. Lynch Vein & Aesthetics in Peoria, AZ offers these tips for you to consider:

• Avoid extended periods of standing or sitting. It becomes harder for blood to move through the leg veins if you don’t move enough.

• Compression socks or stockings can keep the vein valves in your legs from shifting. The compression prevents blood from pooling in an area, thus reducing varicose veins.

• Avoid eating foods with salt, as they will cause dehydration. Your blood will not circulate well if you are dehydrated.

• Add potassium and fiber to your diet to promote healthy blood flow. Your diet can assist you in staying healthy and allowing your legs to receive the support they need.

• Exercise by walking often, as it helps strengthen your leg muscles. The muscles will help the veins push blood toward the heart. Other leg exercises can also help, as your muscles will work against gravity for your protection.

• Yoga can also boost your leg muscles. You can build muscle tone through stretching and balancing in yoga.

• You will add extra pressure on your legs if you are overweight. Lose weight if you have to, as it prevents that pressure from developing. Weight loss also helps reduce your risk of heart disease, plus it restores blood flow in many parts of your body.

• Avoid tight-fitting clothes that can add pressure to your legs. The excess pressure can make it easier for you to develop varicose veins, plus they make any veins that are present worse.

• Keep your feet up if you work at a job that requires you to stand or sit for extended periods. You can keep your feet elevated to allow the blood in the legs to flow back toward your heart. The blood will not stay in the same location for long when you keep the feet upright.

Where can I find treatment for varicose veins in Peoria, AZ?

We hope these tips will help you in preventing varicose veins even if they run in your family. Contact Dr. Matthew Lynch at Lynch Vein & Aesthetics in Peoria, AZ if you have any other concerns about varicose veins and how you can keep them from being a threat in your life. Dr. Lynch and his team can help you with various varicose vein-related needs, including sclerotherapy and other treatments to reduce the appearance of these veins.