How can one avoid varicose and spider veins?

Answers from doctors (12)


Vein 911

Published on Apr 16, 2013

Varicose and spider veins are often inherited; meaning, the condition runs in the family. In such cases as this, one cannot avoid them. It is difficult to prevent vein disease if you are predisposed to it. Pregnancy can also trigger the onset of varicose and spider veins. These are the two most common causes of vein problems.. Other less common causes include occupations requiring prolonged standing or sitting, obesity and trauma to the legs. The best conservative intervention is not to sit too high in a chair or car seat. You should be able to remove a piece of paper from beneath your thighs without tearing it. If you cannot, you are sitting too high. We should sit on our behinds, not our thighs. Your knees should be about 1/2 inch higher than your hips when sitting. Since most chairs are not adjustable, put something under your feet. You will feel the difference in just a day or two.

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Answered by Vein 911

Varicose and spider veins are often inherited; meaning, the condition runs in the family. In such cases as this, one cannot avoid them. It is difficult to prevent vein disease if you are predisposed to it. Pregnancy can also trigger the onset of varicose and spider veins. These are the two most common causes of vein problems.. Other less common causes include occupations requiring prolonged standing or sitting, obesity and trauma to the legs. The best conservative intervention is not to sit too high in a chair or car seat. You should be able to remove a piece of paper from beneath your thighs without tearing it. If you cannot, you are sitting too high. We should sit on our behinds, not our thighs. Your knees should be about 1/2 inch higher than your hips when sitting. Since most chairs are not adjustable, put something under your feet. You will feel the difference in just a day or two.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

Published on Apr 15, 2013

Unfortunately you can't avoid varicose and spider veins; they are genetic. The good news is that there are treatment options to help resolve discomfort and other venous issues that may arise.

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Answered by Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

Unfortunately you can't avoid varicose and spider veins; they are genetic. The good news is that there are treatment options to help resolve discomfort and other venous issues that may arise.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vascular Clinics of Northeast Georgia

Published on Apr 15, 2013

There are issues beyond our control which increase our disposition to developing varicose and spider veins, and there are steps we can take to minimize exacerbating these dispositions. Some of the things we can't control are genetic disposition, aging, hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy and certain occupational hazards which will contribute to the magnitude of varicose and spider veins. Despite this, we can modify our life-style habits to minimize the discomfort and embarrassment of varicose/spider veins. Be sure to drink more water and get adequate hydration, especially in warm weather. Eat a nutritious diet and get regular, moderate, exercise. If you smoke, quit. Also, wear comfortable, sensible footwear, control your weight, monitor your blood pressure, cut down on salt and elevate your legs when they ache. These positive life-style changes can help minimize the severity of varicose and spider veins, but can neither cure nor guarantee they won't occur. Varicose/spider veins, though often seen as a cosmetic issue, can be a warning sign of more significant health concerns. Most varicose vein treatment is in the form of an office-based laser therapy that takes about 45 minutes, has a 95% success rate and virtually no recovery time.

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Answered by Vascular Clinics of Northeast Georgia

There are issues beyond our control which increase our disposition to developing varicose and spider veins, and there are steps we can take to minimize exacerbating these dispositions. Some of the things we can't control are genetic disposition, aging, hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy and certain occupational hazards which will contribute to the magnitude of varicose and spider veins. Despite this, we can modify our life-style habits to minimize the discomfort and embarrassment of varicose/spider veins. Be sure to drink more water and get adequate hydration, especially in warm weather. Eat a nutritious diet and get regular, moderate, exercise. If you smoke, quit. Also, wear comfortable, sensible footwear, control your weight, monitor your blood pressure, cut down on salt and elevate your legs when they ache. These positive life-style changes can help minimize the severity of varicose and spider veins, but can neither cure nor guarantee they won't occur. Varicose/spider veins, though often seen as a cosmetic issue, can be a warning sign of more significant health concerns. Most varicose vein treatment is in the form of an office-based laser therapy that takes about 45 minutes, has a 95% success rate and virtually no recovery time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Apr 12, 2013

There is no way to avoid the development of varicose and spider veins if they are the result of genetics. Heredity plays a large part. Putting heredity aside, lifestyle choices can aggravate weakened and insufficient veins. These include obesity, sedentary, prolonged standing/sitting, running, weightlifting, pregnancy, and aging. Wearing support hosiery can help. Sclerotherapy injections can reduce and control these veins for a while. However, each individual is different.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

There is no way to avoid the development of varicose and spider veins if they are the result of genetics. Heredity plays a large part. Putting heredity aside, lifestyle choices can aggravate weakened and insufficient veins. These include obesity, sedentary, prolonged standing/sitting, running, weightlifting, pregnancy, and aging. Wearing support hosiery can help. Sclerotherapy injections can reduce and control these veins for a while. However, each individual is different.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Apr 12, 2013

Varicose and spider veins cannot be avoided if they are due to genetics. However, wearing compression stockings can help slow down the process.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Varicose and spider veins cannot be avoided if they are due to genetics. However, wearing compression stockings can help slow down the process.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Apr 12, 2013

Some things might help like wearing compression stockings daily. If you choose to go this route, a 20-30mmHg compression is recommended. Also, it helps to take the time to elevate your legs either during the day if at work, or at the end of the day to lay down and elevate the legs above the head for a few minutes. Other normal, healthy habits are encouraged like diet/exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. These things will decrease the chance, but it is hereditary so even though you may do all of these things, there is still a chance that varicose veins may occur. For women, pregnancy is a huge factor in varicose vein development due to the increase in blood volume which stretch the veins causing the valves inside to not close properly.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Some things might help like wearing compression stockings daily. If you choose to go this route, a 20-30mmHg compression is recommended. Also, it helps to take the time to elevate your legs either during the day if at work, or at the end of the day to lay down and elevate the legs above the head for a few minutes. Other normal, healthy habits are encouraged like diet/exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. These things will decrease the chance, but it is hereditary so even though you may do all of these things, there is still a chance that varicose veins may occur. For women, pregnancy is a huge factor in varicose vein development due to the increase in blood volume which stretch the veins causing the valves inside to not close properly.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Apr 12, 2013

It is very likely that your varicose/spider veins are the result of genetics. Look to your parents, grandparents, uncles and siblings to see if they are plagued with the same venous problems.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

It is very likely that your varicose/spider veins are the result of genetics. Look to your parents, grandparents, uncles and siblings to see if they are plagued with the same venous problems.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Apr 12, 2013

Varicose and spider veins are hereditary for the most part, so you can't avoid them. Exercise, wearing compression hose and maintaining a normal weight can help but is no guarantee. I have heard a colleague say it's an incurable disease but an easily treatable incurable disease.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Varicose and spider veins are hereditary for the most part, so you can't avoid them. Exercise, wearing compression hose and maintaining a normal weight can help but is no guarantee. I have heard a colleague say it's an incurable disease but an easily treatable incurable disease.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Apr 12, 2013

There is no sure way of avoiding the development of varicose and spider veins. Heredity plays a strong role, as well as pregnancies, aging, injuries and other factors we don't even know. However, you can slow the process down by wearing compression hose and keeping physically fit.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

There is no sure way of avoiding the development of varicose and spider veins. Heredity plays a strong role, as well as pregnancies, aging, injuries and other factors we don't even know. However, you can slow the process down by wearing compression hose and keeping physically fit.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Apr 12, 2013

If varicose and spider veins are the result of genetics, there is not much that can be done to avoid their development. However, staying fit and active help. Another risk factor besides genetics, is being female and pregnant. Pregnancy places more pressure on the veins and can cause varicose or spider veins to develop, worsen or come out of hiding, if they already exist. Additionally, being overweight and sedentary make it more likely that you will develop varicose and spider veins.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

If varicose and spider veins are the result of genetics, there is not much that can be done to avoid their development. However, staying fit and active help. Another risk factor besides genetics, is being female and pregnant. Pregnancy places more pressure on the veins and can cause varicose or spider veins to develop, worsen or come out of hiding, if they already exist. Additionally, being overweight and sedentary make it more likely that you will develop varicose and spider veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Apr 12, 2013

Varicose and spider veins cannot be avoided. They are caused by a weakness in the vein walls that leads to poor function of the oneway valves that should direct blood back toward the heart. When the valves do not work properly, blood pools in the affected veins, stretching them and causing leakage and accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues. This can lead to loss of skin integrity and the development of ulcers, for example. Those who spend a lot of time standing on hard surfaces or sitting for long periods seem to be more symptomatic. Symptoms may be temporarily improved with the use of prescription graduated compression stockings, with frequent elevation of the feet above the level of the heart, with moderate exercise and weight loss, or with use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (like ibuprofen). None of these conservative measures will improve valve function, however, and really the only way to provide significant relief is to close up the affected veins or to remove them.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Varicose and spider veins cannot be avoided. They are caused by a weakness in the vein walls that leads to poor function of the oneway valves that should direct blood back toward the heart. When the valves do not work properly, blood pools in the affected veins, stretching them and causing leakage and accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues. This can lead to loss of skin integrity and the development of ulcers, for example. Those who spend a lot of time standing on hard surfaces or sitting for long periods seem to be more symptomatic. Symptoms may be temporarily improved with the use of prescription graduated compression stockings, with frequent elevation of the feet above the level of the heart, with moderate exercise and weight loss, or with use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (like ibuprofen). None of these conservative measures will improve valve function, however, and really the only way to provide significant relief is to close up the affected veins or to remove them.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Apr 12, 2013

Varicose and spider veins are often inherited; meaning, it runs in the family. If this is the case, there is nothing you can do to prevent them. However, it is suggested that people who have a predisposition for varicose veins wear compression stockings. They can relieve discomfort and slow down the vein disease process, although temporarily.

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/922_1408044082.jpg
Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Varicose and spider veins are often inherited; meaning, it runs in the family. If this is the case, there is nothing you can do to prevent them. However, it is suggested that people who have a predisposition for varicose veins wear compression stockings. They can relieve discomfort and slow down the vein disease process, although temporarily.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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