What to Do if Your Family has a History of a Vein Condition
Varicose veins affect millions of people around the world and one of the risk factors to have it is having a family history of vein disease. According to studies, almost half of all the people who have been diagnosed with having varicose veins have a vein condition in their family history.
It is found that if both your parents have a vein condition, there’s a 90% chance that you will develop it in your lifetime. You’re probably wondering, “what exactly should I do if a vein condition like varicose veins or spider veins runs in my family?” Here are some things you can do if your family has a history of a vein condition:
Stay Active
Exercising regularly has been proven to help prevent or reduce varicose veins. Make sure to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. If you don’t have time to visit the gym, taking 30-minute walks is helpful in preventing varicose veins.
You can also do other exercises that focus on your lower extremities like lunges and leg lifts. Doing these will help promote better circulation throughout your body.
It’s also very important to take breaks if your work involves long periods of either sitting or standing.Taking breaks every 30 minutes will help the blood flow through your legs. If seated, avoid crossing your legs for a long time and if sitting isn’t an option when your work involves standing for extended periods, try to shift your weight from one leg to the other to give each leg time to rest.
Keep Your Weight in Check
Aside from family history, obesity is one of the biggest predisposing factors of varicose veins. If you want to avoid having a vein condition, make sure you keep a healthy weight by following a proper diet. Being overweight puts added pressure on your lower extremities, which is found to make your varicose veins worse.
Choose the Right Clothes
If you already have varicose veins, try to avoid wearing tight clothing, especially around your pelvis and waist areas. Choose clothes like loose-fitting trousers so proper circulation to your lower extremities can be maintained.
If your varicose veins are getting worse, you can consult your doctor about wearing compression stockings. These can help put gentle pressure on your legs and reduce swelling.
Take a Vein Screening
Since you’re already at a higher risk for developing varicose veins due to your family history, it’s best to have your veins screened as early as possible. Taking this precautionary measure will keep your veins from getting worse.
Having an early diagnosis will help you get the best results from your treatment, so it’s very important to go through vein screening with the help of a vein specialist.
Conclusion
Varicose veins may make you feel uncomfortable and even insecure about your legs, but they shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your life. If you know that varicose veins run in your family, take all the necessary measures as early as possible.
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.