HEALTHY LIVING Fix Your. . . Varicose Veins


OVERVIEW: Varicose veins — swollen, bulging, and twisted — usually occur in the legs, feet, and ankles just under the skin’s surface. They appear blue or purple, and affect about a third of all adults.


WHY YOU HAVE VARICOSE VEINS Genetics. If family members


have varicose veins, your odds of developing the condition are higher. Age. Growing older causes wear and


tear on the valves in the veins that can allow blood to flow back and collect in veins. Sex. Varicose veins are four times


more common in women, in part because of hormonal changes that relax the walls of veins. Standing, crossing legs. You have a


greater chance of developing varicose veins if you stand or sit for long periods throughout the day, or cross legs when sitting. Obesity. Excess weight adds extra pressure to blood vessels.


SYMPTOMS Bulging, twisted, dark purple, or


bluish veins. The skin around veins can appear red and thickened. Aching legs. Pain may be worse


after standing or sitting for an extended time. Itching or burning feeling around


the veins. When blood pools in the legs, tissues accumulate more toxins, which can cause itching or burning.


WHAT TO DO Raise your legs. Raise your legs


when sitting by using a footrest. When lying down, prop your legs above heart level. Wear compression stockings.


Compression stockings can improve circulation, stop varicose veins from worsening, and ease leg pain. Exercise. Walking and riding a


90 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | MARCH 2025


bicycle help to increase circulation in legs. Try to walk for half an hour every day. Swimming also improves blood circulation in the legs and keeps blood from pooling. Yoga poses that elevate your legs above your heart also improve circulation. Take Pycnogenol. A study found


that Pycnogenol, a supplement made from French maritime pine bark, was more effective at controlling swollen legs than using compression stockings. Another study found that Pycnogenol significantly reduced the number of varicose veins. Eat flavonoids. Foods


that contain flavonoids, such as spinach, broccoli, citrus fruits, apples, and blueberries, can reduce the appearance of varicose veins. Try grape seed extract.


The antioxidants in grape seed extract help relax muscles in blood vessels, aid circulation, and reduce edema. Use antihistamines


and topical steroids. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl, and topical steroids, such as hydrocortisone creams, help control itching. Reduce salt in your diet.


Salty foods can cause water retention, which puts pressure on the veins and can lead to swelling. Cut back on salty foods and


add foods high in potassium, such as nuts, leafy vegetables, watermelon, and dried fruit, which reduce water retention.


IF ALL ELSE FAILS Varicose veins aren’t usually dangerous, but


they’re a cosmetic concern for many people. If self-help measures don’t offer sufficient relief, see your healthcare professional, who may suggest sclerotherapy, a common treatment done in the doctor’s office. It involves injections into the vein given four to six weeks apart that cause the vein to scar and forces blood to reroute and go through healthier tissue. However, if your veins bleed or are painful, red, or feel warm, see your doctor as soon as possible.


SOURCES: Mayo Clinic; National Institutes of Health; Vein Specialists of the South; WebMD; NYU Langone Health; Glenmore Landing Vein Clinic; Medical News Today; and Cleveland Clinic


Tall People Are More Susceptible to Varicose Veins


T


all people are more likely to develop varicose veins than


their shorter peers, according to a study from Stanford University School of Medicine. A study of 413,519 men and women identified 30 genes linked to varicose veins and confirmed established risk factors such as being overweight and female. But they were surprised that height was a risk factor. “Our results strongly suggest height is a cause, not just a correlated factor, but an underlying mechanism leading to varicose veins,” said researcher Erik Ingelsson, M.D., Ph.D.


LEG/DESIGNER THINGS/SHUTTERSTOCK / TALL/CURVABEZIER©ISTOCK


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