If you have noticed large, purple looking bulges on your lower legs, you probably have varicose veins. Veins that become engorged with blood will show through the surface of the skin. This is not usually a dangerous condition, but it is unsightly. These veins are commonly called varicose veins.
One out of every two people who are over the age of fifty is affected with varicose veins. Veins that swell up are more common in women than in men. There are many types of these unsightly veins. Even hemorrhoids are a type of varicose vein.
Varicose veins most often occur in the upper thigh or lower leg but can also show up in the labia, anus (hemorrhoids) and lower abdomen of pregnant women or people who are morbidly obese.
If you are bothered by the appearance of your legs, exercising can help. You want to avoid high impact exercises such as jogging or aerobics because these just increase the pooling of the blood in the lower extremities.
The best types of exercises you can do is walking or swimming. Stretching exercises are also good to increase the muscle tone of your legs. Research has shown that stretching several times a week can also gradually improve the muscular tone.
People who suffer from varicose veins can also use gravity to help drain the blood from their lower legs. Lie flat on the floor and elevate your legs on a chair so that your legs are above the heart. This will help the blood flow from the legs and back to the heart.
Losing weight will also help reduce varicose vein. Veins that are in the lower legs have valves that open to allow the blood to flow back to the heart. The added pressure from being overweight can cause the valves in the lower legs to stop functioning properly and cause blood to pool in the veins.
There are other ways to help avoid varicose vein. Veins will swell when constricted with tight clothing. Start wearing loose fitting clothing to reduce the chances of getting varicose veins or making them worse. Try to avoid standing for long periods of time because this will make the veins of the lower legs swell.
Genetics play a part in developing varicose vein. Veins that are gnarled and enlarged can run in the family. If other members of the family have these types of purple, large veins, you have an increased risk of developing them also as you get older.
People with these types of enlarged veins usually do not experience any symptoms. But sometimes symptoms do appear. These symptoms may include an achy feeling in your legs. Pain can be present in your legs and prolonged periods of standing or sitting will make the pain in your legs worse. Some people will experience intense itching around the veins in their legs. The most common area for varicose veins is in the backs of the legs.
There are ways to help prevent varicose vein. Veins tend to swell when there is added pressure or extended period of inactivity. Keep your weight under control and get plenty of exercise daily. Being active and maintaining your weight can help you prevent varicose veins.
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