Can losing weight help with varicose veins?

We know that being overweight puts extra stress on the body in many ways. Obesity can lead to serious issues such as high blood pressure, respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even varicose veins.

Varicose veins are painful, darkly-colored, bulging structures that form under the skin due to poor vein function. They can cause swelling, irritation and chronic fatigue in the lower extremities where they usually occur.

It’s estimated that more than 35% of adults in the United States will experience varicose veins at some point in their life.  At VeinSolutions, our board-certified vascular surgeons and vein specialists are experts at treating varicose veins.

Varicose veins can appear for a number of reasons like pregnancy, a family history of varicose veins or circulatory issues, or trauma to the leg. They can also stem from being overweight.

How can losing weight help prevent varicose veins or improve symptoms?

According to the American Heart Association, losing even as little as 10 pounds if you are overweight can have a significant and positive impact on your body and circulatory system.

Losing weight can:

• Improve high blood pressure and boost circulation
• Alleviate the severity of already existing varicose veins by easing pressure (excess weight) on them so they may ache, swell and protrude less
• Potentially prevent against more serious deep venous disorders like DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and blood clots

Weight Loss and Varicose Veins

Our vascular surgeons and vein experts recommend these top tips for weight loss to help improve circulatory health and ultimately reduce your risk of varicose veins or alleviate symptoms:

1. Engage in regular physical activity and exercise, at least 150 minutes per week for most adults.
2. Eat a well-balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats, legumes, and proteins.
3. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to help keep you fuller, this also keeps blood pumping and flowing easily so that it does not back up or pool in veins.

Additionally, speak with your regular physician about assistance in your weight loss journey if you have been doing all the right things without results or feel especially overwhelmed with the process.

Varicose Vein Treatment and Varicose Vein Removal

Sometimes even with successful weight loss, varicose veins can still prove stubborn. Initial therapies that our vein specialists might typically suggest to help ease varicose veins symptoms are wearing compression stockings, elevating legs whenever possible, and taking breaks from prolonged sitting or standing to improve blood flow and reduce swelling.

For severe and persistent varicose veins, VeinSolutions offers several effective options for removal such as sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, and minimally-invasive surgery. These procedures are all conveniently performed in our clinics with little-to-no pain and often fast recovery periods, so that your legs will be feeling and looking their best in no time!

Contact VeinSolutions for Your Consultation Today

Our board-certified vascular surgeons and vein specialists are skilled in both cosmetic and therapeutic treatments for varicose veins while dedicated to enhancing your overall circulatory health.

To schedule an appointment with a vein specialist in Austin, please contact us here or call 512.452.VEIN (8346), or 512.501.4287 for our clinic in Georgetown, and 512.651.8420 for Kyle.

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