By BR Tabatha
They’re purply, they’re bluey, they’re bulgy, they’re knotted, and they make your legs look less than gorgeous. I’m not talking about that pair of multi-coloured tights you wore to death in the 90s that are still lingering in the back of your lingerie draw – I’m talking about varicose veins.
I always believe varicose veins were the domain of old ladies, until recently I met a woman in her mid-30s who had to get surgery to remove them. Talk about an eye opener. So it got me thinking, what are varicose veins? How can they be avoided? And if you get them how can you stop them getting worse or is surgery the only option for getting rid of them?
In a nutshell, varicose veins are really big veins, veins that have become enlarged and twisted. And joy of joys they’re usually formed on the veins that are just below the surface, which is why when they occur they’re so easy to see. The cause? Without going all Scientific Sally on you, basically they begin to occur when the valves in the veins stop pushing the blood flow in the direction of the heart, the blood then flows backward. (Try not to gag for this bit) … So when the blood gets all back-flowy it begins to pool, which causes the vein to swell.
So how do you get them? Well I remember my mother always telling me off for crossing my legs, because ‘you’ll get varicose veins’. Turns out that’s actually quite unlikely (phew, because I never listened to her) unless of course you’re predisposed to getting them in the first place. Varicose veins are caused by a number of things, often they’re hereditary, other times it’s due to pregnancy, or hormones, they can often flare up in people who have to stand a lot for their jobs, like teachers and nurses. Weight gain and an inactive lifestyle can also bring them on. Unfortunately they are also more common in women than men. Typical, men get the pretty pins and the likelihood of keeping them that way (yes my partner has great looking legs, and yes I’m a bit jealous).
So what can we do to avoid these bruise-coloured lump and bumps? Well, the bad news is that some of us who are going to get them whether we like it or not. Sorry! But for those who aren’t predisposed, or for those who want to put off getting them the trick is to get moving and to tone up your leg muscles. Walk, swim, bike. Don’t just sit or stand there. Also, it pays to watch your weight, eat well … oh, and try not to wear heels or tight clothes. And, at the end of the day it can also be a good idea to elevate your legs for a while. (What’s that? You want me to kick my legs up and relax? You don’t have to tell me twice!)
So what if it’s too late and the varicose veins have made an appearance? What next? First of all, see a doctor if they’re causing you grief or you’re worried about them. From there the doctor may recommend anything from wearing a very sexy pair of compression stockings to some lifestyle changes. The doctor might also recommend sclerotherapy, which involves a solution being injected into the vein in order to seal off the vein, forcing blood to flow through healthier veins, and over time and with the help of compression bandages and set exercises the varicose vein should fade. A more rapid method is the laser method, EndoVenous Laser Treatment, which destroys the vein and does not require compression stockings. There is also a range of surgical options available, from vein stripping through to tying off the vein at specific points in order to stop blood flowing into it.
I’ve had a good look at my legs and I’m seeing a few suspect patches, which I shall be keeping an eye on in-between going for more regular walks and cutting down on the Skittles. Am I at the point of buying stylish pairs of compression stocking? Um, no. But if I have to I will, because a girl’s gotta keep up with her partner’s pretty pins, right?
Have you been staving off varicose veins? What tricks have you got up your sleeve? Have you had them removed? And how? Share your stories!
I've had one really bad varicose vein since I was 14. I had it injected but it never completely got shrink it and it came back worse a few years later. I get terrible pain in my calf but I am holding off getting it removed until I had baby number 2.