3 Common Myths Around Varicose Veins

What are Varicose Veins?

To understand the complexity of varicose veins, it is important for you to understand the mechanism by which veins return deoxygenated blood from all of the body to the heart for blood exchange. The blood in the veins has to be propelled against gravity towards the heart, which requires not only pressure but also maximum effort. For this purpose, veins consist of valves which prevent the backflow of blood in the presence of gravity.

If the valves of the veins are slightly damaged, they might be unable to prevent the backflow of the blood, therefore, causing it to accumulate. This pooling of blood in the veins might not only result in varicose veins but can also lead to severe complications such as painful ulcers in the legs as well. 

Several myths revolve around the causative factors of varicose veins. Most people take the risk or exacerbating factors of varicose veins as the ailment’s actual causes. To address this, we have mentioned 3 of the common myths for a better understanding of the disease.

  1. Standing Still or Staying in One Position Can Cause Varicose Veins

It has been said that people who tend to stand still or stay in a single position for long hours on end are more susceptible to varicose veins than those who don’t. People believe that labourers tend to get varicose veins because they stay in a stagnant position all day long at work. 

This myth, however, is completely baseless. The development of varicose veins is genetic and is most probably passed on to people from a familial hereditary link. However, standing still or sitting in a single position for hours on end can exacerbate a pre-existing condition of varicose veins and lead to severe complications.

  1. Varicose Veins Only Affect the Obese and The Elderly

Approximately one-third of the entire population and around 30% of adults suffer from the deteriorating effects of varicose veins. These statistics not only comprise of all genders but also all ages and body types. 

As mentioned above, there is a hereditary linkage factor that determines whether you’d suffer from varicose veins or not. Saying that only the elderly or the obese get affected by the disease is not only biased but also an irrelevant myth. 

People get to witness varicose veins in the elderly apparently because of their long lives. Similarly, obesity is not a cause, but one of the exacerbating factors of the signs and symptoms of varicose vein. 

  1. Varicose Veins Are Solely Cosmetic

According to Dr Eddie Chaloner, men tend to wait until the stage when varicose veins develop into painful ulcers or cause prominent skin damage before they seek help. This tardiness is mainly because men believe varicose veins to be solely cosmetic. However, if left untreated, varicose veins can deteriorate, leading to severe leg ulceration and permanent skin damage as well. 

Dr Eddie Chaloner says women tend to seek out varicose veins consultations and treatments earlier than their male counterparts primarily because they’re concerned about their appearance. 

Since varicose veins can affect men and women equally, it is advisable to get a consultation from a prominent varicose veins clinic to prevent further complications.  It is highly necessary to refer to treatment methods that aren’t outdated and therefore, identify the root of the varicose veins with authenticity.  If varicose veins are identified and diagnosed before they exacerbate and lead to gross skin damages, recovery will not only be quick but promising. 
