Can Young People Get Varicose Veins?

When you’re young it’s easy to assume that a lot of health problems such as varicose vein only affect old folk. But unfortunately, you’d be wrong.

You see, even people in their 20s are at risk of developing a vein disorder. While on the whole young people are more resilient to health and disease issues, certain factors can cause spider veins and varicose veins to develop in people as young as their early 20s.

What are varicose veins exactly?

The role of veins is to circulate the blood around our bodies and back up to the heart. However, should the vein valves or the vein walls weaken or get damaged, it can lead to a condition known as Chronic Venous Insufficiency. As well as skin discoloration around the ankles and swelling in the legs, varicose veins are another symptom of CVI. When the blood is unable to travel back to the heart, it starts to gather in pools resulting in the unsightly bulging twisted veins that are known as varicose veins.

Will I get varicose veins when I’m young?

Once a person reaches adulthood, there is a risk of developing varicose veins. That said, the risk is lower for a person in their twenties than it is for a person in their forties.

While there are several causes of varicose veins, those that are more likely to apply to younger people include:

• Genetics – If there is a history of people in your family having spider veins, varicose veins, or other circulatory issues, you’re more at risk of developing varicose veins
• Weight – If you’re considerably overweight or obese, it can significantly affect the pressure on your veins
• Occupation – If your job involves standing on your feet for most of the day you’re more at risk of developing varicose veins
• Birth control pills – any hormonal medication can increase the risk of varicose veins
• Previous surgeries – as well as injuries to the skin and soft tissue, trauma, can cause issues

If you don’t have varicose veins but some of the above scenarios apply to you, then there are some preventative measures you can take to care for your veins now and in the future.

Tips to help prevent varicose veins

• Stay active by making a point of getting up from your desk and moving around during your work breaks if you have a sedentary job, as well as adopting a regular exercise routine throughout the week
• Avoid clothes that restrict your body or are generally too tight. Instead, opt for clothes that are looser and feel more comfortable.
• At the end of each day lay on the ground with your legs raised on a chair or against a wall for 15 minutes. This helps to prevent blood from pooling in your lower legs and improves the flow of blood in your body.
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in fat and sugar and also increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Wear compression socks if you stand on your feet for work all day or sit at a desk for long periods, and for traveling long distances by car or plane.

If it’s too late and you have already developed varicose veins, then the good news is that at the Midwest Institute For Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT) we provide a range of vein treatments that should be combined with the above tips. These include:

Vein Ablations – Also known as radiofrequency vein treatment, this uses targeted heat to seal damaged veins. The procedure only takes about 20 minutes and we can use twilight sedation to ensure the patient feels comfortable.

VenaSeal – This involves closing the saphenous veins that responsible for varicose veins by delivering a medical adhesive directly into the vein. No sedation is required, and the process takes no more than 30 minutes.

Sclerotherapy – This involves injecting a special solution to collapse the veins and divert the blood to healthier nearby veins. It’s particularly useful as a treatment for spider veins.

At MINT, Dr. Akinwade offers nonsurgical methods that enable patients to return to work the very next day while also restoring enjoyment in life. To find out how our vein treatments can help your condition, contact us today or book online at one of our 5 clinics, including the latest addition in Chicago, IL.