Healthy, Beautiful Legs for Life!

It is estimated that more than 80 million Americans suffer from some form of vein disorder.¹ These statistics show that nearly one in three Americans over the age of 45 are affected by vein disease. Unfortunately, only 4% of those are being treated. Venous disorders are an extremely common occurrence, just like high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes. They also need to be taken just as seriously.

The veins in your legs have valves that keep blood moving in one direction: back toward the heart. When these valves no longer work properly the blood can flow backwards and problems begin to occur. A back up of blood results in higher pressure in the veins, especially in the lower extremities such as the legs. The higher pressure may strain the wall of the veins causing them to enlarge. This may lead to small bluish spider veins and enlarged varicose veins that become visible bulges underneath the skin.

Swollen ankles and leg discomfort are often caused by the reduced ability of the veins to move the blood back to the heart. This explains the tired, achy feeling after you stand or sit for long periods of time, such as traveling. This feeling is usually a warning sign of possible varicose veins later in life.

There are multiple factors that can cause venous disorders such as heredity, obesity, high-heeled shoes, dehydration and tight fitting clothing. Lack of exercise can also cause pooling of blood in the legs, and sitting or standing for long periods of time can cause increasingly swollen veins. Age is another factor. As we get older, the walls of our veins become less elastic and more prone to venous disorders. During pregnancy, there are many hormonal changes in a woman’s body. These hormonal changes have a profound effect on the veins, particularly from the increase in the volume of blood to nurture a developing baby. Greater amounts of blood can stretch the vein and damage the valves.

You can encourage blood flow in many different ways. You always hear your doctor tell you to get regular exercise. It applies with venous conditions too. You can improve your circulation by starting a daily regimen of walking, swimming or other aerobic exercises. While sitting or standing you can still promote circulation by wiggling your toes, flexing your feet or tightening your calf muscles. When you are resting, elevate your feet above your heart and avoid crossing your legs, since this interferes with circulation. Try to avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time as this will cause the blood to pool to your feet. Also try to keep your legs and feet warm which helps promote good circulation.

These lifestyle changes do help improve your circulation, but sometimes that’s still not enough. You may need to wear support stockings or socks. Compression therapy counteracts the high pressure that can develop in the legs and reduces the risk of developing additional varicose veins. Compression also encourages blood flow by helping valves function more efficiently. Specially designed gradient compression stockings reduce swelling and help prevent pooling of fluid in the legs. Gradient compression stockings work by delivering the highest level of compression at the ankle, while gently decreasing pressure up the leg. Improved blood flow helps you experience immediate relief from tired, aching legs. The key is to wear them everyday; put them on as soon as you get up and take them off at night. Since swelling in your lower legs increases as the day goes on, it is easier to put a compression sock on in the morning. This allows the sock or stocking to prevent or decrease the swelling that occurs during the day.

Compression hose do come in a variety of different styles and strengths, depending on your therapeutic need and your preference. Compression therapy can treat minor, moderate and severe varicosities and edema with different levels of firmness. The lower compressions are available over the counter while the higher compressions can only be prescribed by your physician. To improve patient compliance, manufactures now offer a compression hose that looks and feels more like a sock or stocking which are appealing to both men and women.

Sometimes venous disorders get so severe that they may need surgery. The physician may need to remove an existing varicose vein. However, since the underlying factors that caused the varicose vein are still present, he or she may still prescribe support hose to keep varicose veins from developing in the future. Using compression stockings on a regular basis can reduce swelling and discomfort, and dramatically slow the development of additional varicose veins over time.

 

1 The American College of Phlebology, Patient Education Brochure. Available at www.phlebology.org/brochure.htm