Do you sit for long hours at work? It can lead to varicose veins

Moving enough and staying at your ideal weight can go a long way in keeping varicose veins at bay.

Fifty-two-year-old Lata, a teacher by profession, started experiencing aches and cramps in her legs. Her legs would also turn heavy and sore. After taking one or two classes, her ankles and feet would swell up too.

She related these things to her recent menopause and dismissed them at first, believing time would be the healer. But that was not to be. Prominent dark purple vessels came to be visible on her thighs and calves.


Suspecting that it could be varicose veins, she consulted her physician, who confirmed that indeed it was and complimented her for presenting herself early for diagnosis and treatment. She was taught basic self-care and advised follow-ups.

But not everyone can stop at this.

“In a majority of cases, treatment is recommended,” said Dr Rahul Sheth, interventional radiologist, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai.

“It is a very common condition in India with more than 10 million cases annually,” said Dr UV Vasudeva Rao, general and vascular surgeon, Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru. Though it is believed that the elderly are more prone to develop varicose veins, nowadays even the younger generation is showing up with this problem, attributable largely to their lifestyle, he added.

DEEPER THAN IT APPEARS
“Varicose veins are large, swollen veins that usually appear on the legs and feet when the valves in the veins do not work properly, preventing effective return of the blood from the legs,” said Rao.

Pain is only one part of the problem and there are bigger dangers of neglecting varicose veins.

“People with varicose veins are at an increased risk for a dangerous type of blood clot known as deep vein thrombosis,” Rao said. This happens in the deep veins of the leg and is not visible externally.

Dr Shoaib Padaria, director of Vascular Science at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, said: “Untreated varicose veins can cause many problems. Large veins are prone to formation of blood clots, which in some instances can travel to the heart and lungs and cause a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism.”

“Varicose veins can rupture and may be responsible for severe bleeding. If untreated, the pressure of the blood in the varicose veins can cause pigmentation of skin around the ankles with development of ankle ulcers,” he added.

TREATING IT
Consulting a doctor at the earliest and timely treatment were things that the experts stressed on. If not treated on time, varicose veins can turn into a chronic condition.

“One method to alleviate the pain is to use special compression stockings. Another is to take medicines which increase the flow of blood. But these methods are temporary remedies,” Sheth said. For someone having significant varicose veins, the best treatment is endovenous laser ablation wherein, under laser guidance, the offending vein is treated and closed down, Sheth explained.

According to Padaria, an active lifestyle with weight control can go a long way to relieve the symptoms of varicose veins.

ARE SOME MORE AT RISK?
Many factors — such as age, family history and gender — can increase a person’s risk of developing varicose veins. The type of work you do may also matter.

Any activity that restricts blood flow in the legs can be a cause of varicose veins. Veins in your legs help in returning blood to the heart, and calf muscles have a key role in this process as they contract when the legs are in motion. If you have a job that doesn’t allow much movement for hours, these veins have a tendency to become weaker and you may develop varicose veins.

“While walking, the contraction of the calf muscle acts as a powerful pump which sends the venous blood of the legs back towards the heart. If this action is not performed for prolonged periods, the pressure of the accumulated venous blood in the legs can lead to varicose veins,” Padaria explained.

Sheth didn’t want to pinpoint any profession as being problematic. However, “there are certain circumstances — like a job involving long standing time — which can lead to the worsening of the condition,” he said.

The most disregarded cause, however, is sitting in one position for a prolonged period of time. In today’s world of IT, professionals with long working hours in front of their computer screens and long hours of work travel are only increasing their risk for varicose veins, Rao said.

When we sit for long periods, gravity causes pooling of blood in the vessels of the legs, making them swell up. Sitting cross-legged and poor posture are the other mistakes we make.


Hormonal influences during pregnancy or menopause and even the use of birthcontrol pills can cause varicose veins. “Therefore, the risk of varicose veins in women is significantly higher than that in men,” Rao said.

There is some data to suggest that hormonal conditions such as thyroid hormone deficiency and PCOD in women can exacerbate varicose veins, said Padaria.

As with multiple other health problems, smoking, sedentary lifestyle and obesity are known culprits here too.

LIVE RIGHT TO PREVENT PAIN
There may be no foolproof preventive method, but make sure you move enough.

Padaria said: “In persons who have a standing or sitting job, it is recommended that they exercise their legs and ankles every hour for about five minutes. The easiest way is to walk for short distances at periodic intervals.”

Regular exercise definitely helps and walking is a top recommendation.

Rao advised: Do simple leg exercises at your work desk, take a five-minute walk every one-two hours. Avoid tight clothes. Girls, opt for flats instead of heels.

Wearing knee-length compression stockings can work wonders because they not only prevent the phenomenon but also strengthen calf muscles and increase blood flow, Rao said. Since obesity is one of the leading causes of varicose veins, a healthy diet with regular exercise is important to keep your weight in check, he added.