It’s Not Just Women Who Get Varicose Veins

May 02 15:44 2016 by Mike Morgan Print This Article

Something like varicose veins may appear at first look to be a cosmetic problem, and perhaps something that only women worry about or suffer from. However, they are not just a cosmetic issue, and can affect both men and women at any age. They do affect particular groups of people, such as the obese and the elderly, but nobody should assume that they are immune from this particular condition. On the bright side, there are a number of prevention methods that can be used, as well as a variety of treatment options available.

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are bluish, swollen veins that are visible just under the skin. They most commonly appear on the legs, though they can be found on other parts of the body as well. These types of veins are most common on the legs because standing and walking increases the pressure in the veins in the lower parts of your body.

For many people, these veins are more of a cosmetic annoyance than anything else; for other people, varicose veins can be painful or uncomfortable, and can also lead to other complications.

Who Gets Varicose Veins?

These types of veins most commonly appear in women, particularly during and after pregnancy. This is because the growing uterus puts additional pressure on the vena cava, the large vein that carries blood back to the heart from your lower body.

However, varicose veins are not just a women’s issue, as they can also affect men. For men, the most common groups to be affected are the elderly, those with a genetic predisposition towards varicose veins, and men who are overweight or obese.

How Should Varicose Veins Be Prevented?

There are a number of ways in which men can prevent varicose veins from forming, such as:

• Don’t sit or stand for long periods of time without taking a break
• Try not to cross your legs for too long while sitting
• Get regular exercise to help blood flow in your legs and build muscle
• Maintain a healthy weight, and try to lose weight if you are overweight or obese
• Wear compression stockings if recommended by your doctor

If they Can’t Be Prevented, How Can they be Treated?

If varicose veins have already formed, and prevention methods have been ineffective, you may need to look into treatment for your varicose veins.

Some of the main treatments available are:

• Sclerotherapy: Your doctor will inject the veins with a solution that closes them up. Your doctor may also use a type of foam instead of a solution.
• Laser surgery: Lasers can be used to close off smaller veins and spider veins. The light from the laser makes the vein slowly fade.
• Catheter treatments: A catheter is inserted into the vein, and the tip of the catheter is heated. The heat then destroys the vein by causing it to collapse.
• Ligation and vein stripping: This is used for smaller veins, where they are tied off before they join up to a deep vein. Then the smaller vein is removed.
• Phlebectomy: Smaller varicose veins are removed with tiny skin punctures.
• Endoscopic vein surgery: This is usually only used for advanced cases, where a camera is inserted into the vein, and then the vein is removed through small incisions.

Conclusion

It’s important for both men and women to be aware of prevention methods as well as treatment options for varicose veins. They are a common and preventable condition, and can be dealt with by a range of treatment options depending on the individual case.