Varicose veins are considered one of the diseases that everyone is likely familiar with. Although it is not a very serious or dangerous disease, no one wants to suffer from it, especially women. If they develop varicose veins, besides the fatigue in their legs and reduced quality of life, it often causes a lack of confidence due to the small spider veins or bulging veins that appear. However, no matter how much women fear or dislike this disease, they should be prepared to accept that women have a much higher chance of developing varicose veins than men.
Why are women more prone to varicose veins?
Dr. Pongtawan Kalyapruk, a general surgeon and vascular surgeon at Phyathai 3 Hospital, explained the reason why women have a higher chance of developing varicose veins than men: “It is because of female hormones, which are the main factor causing the blood volume circulating in the lower part of the body to be greater than in men, making women more susceptible to this disease. Additionally, pregnancy and childbirth further increase the chances of developing varicose veins. After or during pregnancy, existing varicose veins enlarge due to increased body weight and the enlarged uterus pressing on the abdominal veins. This pressure causes the valves inside the veins to open, which usually leads to continued progression. This means that although the deterioration might not have been severe initially, the increased abdominal pressure from pregnancy causes the venous circulation system in the lower body to deteriorate. Therefore, varicose veins can develop after pregnancy.”
Besides women, who else is at risk of varicose veins?
The main factors causing varicose veins include body weight, age, gender, and occupation affecting lifestyle. People at risk of varicose veins include:
- Elderly people, as veins deteriorate more with age, increasing the risk of varicose veins.
- People who are overweight, as excess weight increases pressure that can cause varicose veins.
- Merchants or vendors who have to stand for long periods without rest.
- Women who wear high heels and stand for long periods or work that requires a lot of walking.
Statistics show that people with severe varicose veins often work in sales, spending most of their time standing for long periods. Next are office workers and women who wear high heels at work. Early-stage varicose veins appear as small veins with accompanying pain and fatigue. If symptoms such as prolonged standing, leg swelling, frequent cramps, and spider-like veins appear, it is important to seek diagnosis and treatment promptly before the condition worsens to large bulging varicose veins, chronic ulcers, leg swelling, and dark brown discoloration. At that stage, the condition is dangerous and difficult to treat.
How to live a life free from varicose veins?
To prevent varicose veins, we need to look back at the causes, which mainly stem from work-related behaviors depending on occupation. Therefore, the most straightforward advice to avoid varicose veins is to avoid jobs that require standing or walking for long periods. Avoid occupations that heavily use the legs. If changing jobs is not possible, the next best approach is to change personal habits by standing less, walking less, and allowing the legs to rest. Additionally, controlling diet and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of varicose veins. Lastly, regular exercise is important because stronger leg muscles help pump blood more effectively, which helps prevent varicose veins.
“Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and changing habits to avoid standing or walking all day are the keys to being a modern woman who stays far from varicose veins.”
