Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Take preventive measures
• Method 2 of 3: Take good care of your legs
• Method 3 of 3: Medical treatment
• Tips
• Warnings

Millions of Dutch people suffer from varicose veins - twisted, dilated veins that usually occur on the legs. They are usually caused by pressure on the veins, which weaken them over time and damage the valves and walls of the veins. For most people, varicose veins and spider veins (smaller broken capillaries) are nothing more than a disfiguring and annoying discomfort, but they can make walking and standing very painful, and in extreme cases can cause inflammation of the skin. While there is no one-size-fits-all way to prevent varicose veins, there are some things you can do to minimize the chances of getting them.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Take preventive measures

1. Know the risk factors. Some people are more prone to varicose veins than others. Knowing the risk factors for developing varicose veins can help you choose healthier habits. If you have multiple risk factors, it's a good idea to see your doctor so you can manage the risk.
   • Age. Age is an important factor when it comes to developing varicose veins. As you get older, your veins lose some of their elasticity. The valves in the veins are less effective. As a result, you can get varicose veins.
   • Sex. Women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins than men. This is due to the hormonal changes to which the female body is exposed, such as menopause and pregnancy.
   • Genes. If a close relative has varicose veins, you are also more likely to develop them. If you were born with weaker vein valves, you are more at risk for varicose veins.
   • Overweight. Being overweight puts more pressure on your veins. As a result, you can get varicose veins.
   • Lack of movement. If you often sit or stand still for a long time, you are more likely to develop varicose veins. Staying in one position for too long puts extra pressure on your veins, making it harder for your heart to pump blood.
   • Leg trauma. If you've had a trauma or injury in the past, such as blood clots, you're more at risk for varicose veins.
2. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your legs and circulation. If you are overweight, you can reduce this pressure by losing weight so that you are less likely to develop varicose veins.
3. Develop healthy eating habits. Do not eat too many calories or foods with little nutritional value. Eat a lot of fiber. There are studies that have shown a link between a diet low in fiber and varicose veins. A diet high in fiber also lowers your cholesterol and blood pressure.
   • Avoid added salt as much as possible. By eating less salt, you counteract the swelling of varicose veins. The body therefore retains less moisture.
4. Exercise regularly. Walking and jogging improve the circulation in the legs, and if you have good blood flow, you will be less likely to develop varicose veins or existing varicose veins will not get worse. Exercise also lowers your blood pressure and strengthens your circulation.
   • Running can also prevent varicose veins. It improves the blood flow in your legs.
5. Stop smoking. Smoking contributes to all kinds of health problems. Research has shown that high blood pressure associated with smoking can also cause varicose veins. Smoking has also been associated with “venous insufficiency of the legs”, where blood does not flow properly and accumulates in the legs.
6. Avoid birth control pills high in estrogen. Taking the pill with a lot of estrogen and progesterone for a long time increases the risk of varicose veins. Hormone therapy can have the same effect. Talk to your doctor about the best option for you.
   • Long-term use of estrogen and progesterone weakens the valves in your veins and blood flow in your legs.
   • A pill with a low dose of estrogen is less likely to cause varicose veins or blood clots.
7. Stay out of the sun. Fair-skinned people are more likely to suffer from broken veins. Sun exposure also increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
   • Always put on sunscreen when you go outside. Stay out of the sun in the heat of the day.

Method 2 of 3: Take good care of your legs

1. Don't stand too long. Standing in one place for a long time puts a lot of pressure on your legs and feet. Over time, this pressure weakens the vessel walls. This makes existing varicose veins worse, and you can develop new varicose veins.
   • Because standing for long periods is unavoidable in some professions, you can limit the damage by changing your posture as often as possible. In any case, try to walk around every 30 minutes.
2. Sit properly. Sit up straight and don't cross your legs. A good sitting position improves your blood flow, while sitting with your legs crossed cuts off the blood flow to and from the legs.
   • Don't sit too long without taking breaks. Get up every half hour and stretch your legs or walk around.
3. Raise your legs as often as possible. Relaxing and raising your legs can reduce the risk of varicose veins. 3-4 times a day, raise your legs higher than your heart for 15 minutes. That improves blood flow and reduces pressure.
   • If you can, put your legs up when you are sitting or lying down.
   • Other options include using a footstool or a pillow under your legs in bed so that they are higher than your head when you sleep. Consult your doctor before trying these methods.
4. Customize your wardrobe. Improve the blood flow in your lower body by not wearing too tight clothing. Be especially careful with tight things around your waist, legs, and groin. Tight clothing can aggravate existing varicose veins and increase the risk of developing new varicose veins.
   • Wear comfortable flat shoes instead of high heels. Flat shoes strengthen your calves, allowing your blood to flow better through your veins. Make sure your shoes fit properly so they aren't too tight and you don't pinch your toes.
5. Wear compression stockings. If you get varicose veins, try to wear compression stockings regularly. You can buy these from a medical device and pharmacy store or website, and they come with varying degrees of pressure. Consult your doctor before buying or wearing these types of stockings.
   • Use a tape measure to determine the correct size. Compression stockings should provide firm pressure, but should not feel too tight.
   • If you have a long flight, talk to your doctor about wearing compression stockings. These can reduce the pressure on your legs and can be useful to prevent you from getting varicose veins or making existing varicose veins worse.

Method 3 of 3: Medical treatment

1. Recognize the symptoms of varicose veins. Varicose veins are usually not a serious condition. But they can cause discomfort, pain and shame. You may want your doctor to help you do something about the varicose veins, even if they do not pose a health risk. Common symptoms with varicose veins are:
   • Leg pain
   • Throbbing or cramps
   • A heavy feeling or swelling in the legs
   • Itchy, irritated or dark skin
   • Nagging or restless legs
2. Know when to seek medical attention. While varicose veins are usually not a health hazard, they can sometimes lead to problems that require medical attention. If you have varicose veins and experience any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:
   • Sudden swelling of the leg
   • Redness or warmth around the vein
   • Change in color or thickness of the skin
   • Bleeding on or around the varicose vein
   • Soft bump in the leg
   • Open sore or inflammation
3. Consider other treatment options. If the changes you made at home don't help, you may want a different treatment for your varicose veins. Consult your doctor about the options.
   • Sclerotherapy. This is the most commonly used treatment method for varicose veins. In sclerotherapy, chemicals are injected into the varicose vein, causing it to swell and close. After a few weeks, the vein turns into scar tissue and disappears. This procedure can often be performed in general practice.
   • Laser surgery. This is a slightly less common technique as not all skin types and tones can be safely treated in this way. It is also not effective with varicose veins larger than 3 mm.
   • Endovenous techniques. This treatment is intended for deeper or severe varicose veins. It is usually performed in general practice under local anesthetic.
   • Surgery. Surgery is usually only necessary for very large or very severe varicose veins. Consult with your doctor whether surgery is necessary for you.

Tips

• While varicose veins are usually not dangerous, they can sometimes indicate a potentially dangerous condition. If you see that you are getting varicose veins, you can have yourself examined by your doctor.
• Varicose veins are more common in women, but many men also suffer from them. The older you are, the more likely you are to get varicose veins, but they can develop at any age, and heredity is a big factor in that.
• The treatment of varicose veins is usually reimbursed by health insurance. Sometimes the treatment of spider veins is also reimbursed. First call your health insurance company so that you know where you stand.
• There are pressure bandages that you can fasten around your ankles with Velcro. Some people think that is a good option.
• Some people find that a compress with apple cider vinegar can relieve pain from varicose veins. However, raising your legs, massage, and pressure is more likely to help the varicose veins, not the vinegar. To date there is no evidence that apple cider vinegar helps against varicose veins.
• Contrary to popular belief, almond oil does not stimulate blood flow, and there is no scientific evidence that it helps varicose veins. But "eating" almonds is good for blood pressure and blood flow.

Warnings

• Get medical help immediately if you have varicose veins and experience chest pain, breathlessness, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms could mean that a blood clot is heading to your lungs or heart.
• Be careful with expensive, unconventional therapies. While these types of "treatments" are often harmless, they usually don't work. The same can be said of herbal supplements that are said to help with varicose veins. Indeed, some supplements can help or prevent the problem, but there aren't many scientific studies to support these treatments yet. Many companies make unfounded claims. Always consult your doctor before using herbal supplements. The doctor may not be able to refute or confirm the manufacturer's claim, but he / she may be able to tell you if there are known harmful side effects from a particular herbal remedy.
• It is not advisable to break the varicose vein with some manual therapy such as massage or vibration. This can cause an embolism, which can get stuck in the capillaries of the heart and cause a heart attack. An embolism can also get lodged in the brain and cause a stroke, or in the lungs and cause pneumonia. These are all serious medical conditions that can even lead to death.
• See your doctor immediately if one of your varicose veins starts to bleed, if you suddenly experience severe pain or swelling in your legs or feet, or if you notice a lump in one of your varicose veins.