Am I at Risk of Vein Disease?

Monitoring your vein health becomes more crucial as you age. While varicose and spider veins are common among those over 50, they are still worth keeping an eye on. If left unchecked, varicose or, spider veins can contribute to vein disease, which can have adverse effects throughout your body. However, knowing some signs of vein disease to look for can help you stay a step ahead and can give you tools to address the issue. Here are a few things to look for to know if you may be at risk of vein disease and what you can do to treat the problem.

What Happens With Vein Disease

Your veins are essential in delivering oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to your organs. When your veins are diseased, it significantly hampers your blood flow, limiting your body’s ability to move critical nutrients. Also, weakened veins can cause blood to flow in reverse, down to the legs, causing additional swelling. Vein disease can also cause other symptoms, such as 

• Discomfort
• Itching
• Changes in skin color
• Burning
• and others

Contributing Factors to Vein Disease

Many cases of compromised vein health can come from the natural aging process. As we age, our veins naturally weaken, compromising blood flow and causing varicose veins. But other factors can accelerate the process. For instance, nicotine, a chemical commonly found in cigarettes, is notorious for compromising vein health. Smoking can cause your veins to narrow and weaken, compromising blood flow and putting strain on your heart. But quitting smoking can help reduce some of these effects. 

Also, if you work in a job that requires you to be on your feet constantly, it may increase the likelihood of developing vein disease. You can work to reduce this possibility by having intervals of sitting and raising your legs. If you’re in the opposite situation and perform a sedentary job, you can help yourself by standing throughout the day and moving around to keep blood from becoming stagnant.

Other contributing factors to vein disease include:

• Family history
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Leg injuries
• Blood clots

If you have questions about treating your veins, our office can help. Please schedule a consultation with us so that we can find a treatment that can help you. Contact us today by calling 817-536-9600.