Does Crossing Your Legs Actually Cause Varicose Veins?
There are many myths and theories out there that are related to varicose veins and your vein health. One of the common ones that has developed over time is the belief that crossing your legs can cause varicose veins and other vein health problems. Is this really true? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence.
What are varicose veins and what causes them?
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that can be seen just under the skin. They often look like cords and can be blue, purple, or red in color. Varicose veins form when the valves in veins that help blood flow back to the heart stop working properly. This causes blood to pool in the veins, making them swell and stretch.
There are a number of things that can cause varicose veins, including:
Standing or sitting for long periods of time
Obesity
Family history of varicose veins
Pregnancy
Age
The myth of crossed legs and vein health
One of the most common myths about vein health is that crossed legs can cause varicose veins. This myth likely began because you commonly have crossed legs when you are sitting, and sitting for long periods of time can lead to the pooling of blood in the veins, which can aggravate any existing vein problems. The association with sitting led to the crossing of legs being directly tied with varicose veins. However, there is no evidence that crossed legs actually cause varicose veins. In fact, the root of most varicose veins is related to those mentioned above, and crossed legs cannot change that.
While not directly the cause of varicose veins, crossed legs can potentially make symptoms of varicose veins worse. If you are already experiencing pain, heaviness, or swelling in your legs, crossing them may aggravate these symptoms. Therefore, it is important to listen to your body and avoid crossing your legs if you are feeling uncomfortable. If you are experiencing any of the common symptoms of varicose veins consult a doctor for treatment.
How to prevent varicose veins from forming
There are many ways to prevent varicose veins from forming. Some of the most common methods are:
1. Take breaks often to move around and stretch
When you're sitting at your desk, it's important to take breaks often to move around and stretch. This is especially important if you're stuck in one position for a long time. When you don't move around, the blood flow slows down and can cause problems like poor circulation and even blood clots. Get up and walk around every once in a while. Take a lap around the office or go for a quick walk outside. Anything to get your body moving is good for your circulation. So make sure to take breaks often and move around as much as possible!
Additionally, stretching is a great way to get the blood flowing. It helps to loosen up stiff muscles and joints, and it can help to improve your flexibility. There are a lot of different stretches you can do, so find ones that work best for your abilities and comfort level. Make sure to add them into your break routine and hopefully over time, you'll be able to add more difficult stretches to your repertoire.
2. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise is beneficial for preventing varicose veins for several reasons. It helps keep your weight in check. Carrying excess weight puts pressure on your veins, which can make them more likely to bulge and become abnormal. Exercise also improves circulation, which helps keep your veins healthy. When your veins work properly, they push blood back up to your heart. Regular exercise can also help keep your veins functioning properly, which can help prevent varicose veins from forming.
3. Elevate your legs when you're sitting or lying down
When you're sitting or lying down, elevating your legs can help the blood flow more easily and help in preventing varicose veins from forming. This is because when your legs are elevated, the pressure on the veins in your legs is reduced, which allows the blood to flow more smoothly. In contrast, when sitting, your veins are fighting gravity which makes it harder to move the blood. This can lead to abnormal blood flow in some cases.
4. Wear compression stockings
Compression stockings work by applying pressure to the veins, which helps to keep them compressed and can be a good preventative measure for potential bulging veins. Wearing compression stockings can be especially helpful for people who are at risk of developing varicose veins, such as those who have a family history of vein disease, are pregnant or considered overweight. Compression stockings come in a variety of styles, compression strength and sizes, so be sure to select the correct pair for your needs.
5. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time.
When you stand or sit for long periods of time, the pressure on your veins increases. This can lead to vein problems such as varicose veins, spider veins, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
To avoid these problems, try and switch between standing and sitting at various intervals throughout the day. This will help you avoid doing one for too long. If you can't stand up, try to move your feet and ankles throughout the day.
Treatment options for varicose veins
While these methods may help prevent varicose veins, they may not guarantee you won't get them. In the case that you develop varicose veins here are some treatment options:
Sclerotherapy - this is a procedure where a vein specialist injects a solution into the veins to make them close up.
Endovenous Laser therapy - this is a procedure where a laser is used to create heat energy to seal the vein closed.
Microsurgery - a technique that utilizes special instruments to remove veins through a few, very tiny, "micro" incision
Crossed legs may not cause varicose veins, but sitting for a long time definitely does. If you want to keep your vein health in check, it's important to stay active and do what you can to prevent varicose veins from occurring. While you may not be able to avoid varicose veins altogether, crossing your legs is not something to worry about. However, if you do have varicose veins, consider scheduling a consultation, so we can prepare a plan together that works around your specific needs.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.