5 Things You Should Know about Varicose Veins

With the summer months in full swing most Americans are looking to get their bodies in shape to hit the beach. For many, this means a few final sessions at the gym or maybe even a crash diet to try to look their best in a bikini. But for others, the issue of varicose veins keeps them from looking and feeling their best when out enjoying the summer sun. Even though this is a common medical issue that plagues millions across the globe, there are many myths surrounding the subject of varicose veins.

Varicose Veins: Top 5 Facts Everyone Needs to Know

1. You can't get them from wearing high heels. Sitting with your legs crossed won't cause them to magically appear, either. In fact, these are simply old wives' tales that have been circulating in the media for years. The most common cause of varicose veins are prolonged periods of sitting or standing, obesity, a lack of exercise, smoking, and hormonal reactions to common birth control methods.

2. It's okay to blame their appearance on genetics. However, you shouldn't start blaming one side of your family over the other. It is possible to inherit the tendency from one or both sides of your family or, in some cases, the gene can actually skip a generation.

3. Men can have them too. While anywhere from 1 to 73 percent of women may deal with this problem at some point in their lifetime, a surprising 2 to 56 percent of men also report problems with unsightly varicose veins. 

4. There's only one proven way to treat the issue. While some who suffer from this problem may choose to use makeup to try to cover up more prominent veins, the only way to truly eliminate them is with varicose vein treatment from a professional. However, the pain associated with more prominent veins can be treated at home with the help of compression socks or pantyhose, witch hazel supplements, and horse chestnut seed extract. Each of these at-home pain remedies works to decrease the overall vein dilation and most can be purchased at your local drugstore or online. 

5. Varicose vein treatment is better than ever before. Treatment has come a long way in the last few decades and patients can now expect to be treated without cutting or scarring. Most doctors offer the treatment in an office setting, eliminating the need for anesthesia or a long recovery period.

If you'd like more information about varicose vein treatment, consider speaking with a representative from Alaska Vein Care.

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