Preventing Varicose Veins: the expert’s 7 tips

Varicose veins are dilated veins in which blood stagnates, no longer able to flow properly back toward the heart. They generally result from a weakening of the vein wall and appear mainly in the lower limbs, as visible, bulging cords beneath the skin. Incidence is 10-30% in women and 10-20% in men.

When to see a specialist

It’s advisable to see a specialist as soon as symptoms appear heavy legs, itching, burning, tingling and even more so if there is a family history or other risk factors. It becomes essential in the presence of large varicose veins or complications: if the affected area becomes warm, red, painful, and swollen, signs of an ongoing inflammatory process (varicose vein thrombosis). Diagnosis is made using venous color Doppler ultrasound, an imaging exam that assesses the shape and flow of the vessels.

Good hydration and a fiber-rich diet round out the habits that protect the vein wall.

7 tips for preventing varicose veins

Prevention relies on simple but consistent habits that support venous return. First, (1) move and walk regularly, to activate the calf muscle pump, our “peripheral heart”; (2) maintain a healthy weight through proper diet; (3) avoid remaining still for long periods, whether standing or sitting, by getting up often; (4) elevate the legs at the end of the day to support venous return; (5) limit exposure to excessive heat (prolonged sun exposure, saunas, hot waxing), which dilates the veins; (6) stay well hydrated and follow a fiber-rich diet, possibly with bioflavonoids that help protect the vein wall; (7) use, when recommended by the specialist, graduated compression stockings.

And when prevention isn’t enough

When varicose veins are already present, there are many treatment options, to be personalized based on the condition and the patient’s characteristics: from less invasive approaches, such as foam sclerotherapy, to endovascular procedures (laser, radiofrequency), and, in select cases, surgery. The choice is always based on a color Doppler ultrasound evaluation.

In conclusion, our body is an intelligent machine, and it sends us messages: heaviness, itching, nighttime cramps. These shouldn’t be underestimated, nor should the specialist visit be feared — it is a non-invasive, painless exam.