Did you know that many occupations can contribute to your developing varicose and spider veins? Study after study shows that people whose jobs requiring them to stand or sit for long hours are at a significantly higher risk for vein problems than those in jobs that allow for intervals of walking.
Among those at risk for getting varicose veins from their jobs are:
- Nurses
- Teachers
- Factory workers
- Retail / sales professionals
- Hair dressers and barbers
But long periods of standing don’t necessarily cause varicose and spider veins. Studies have shown that in many patients, vein valves begin to fail during the teenage years. In one study that followed young female participants during the 1990s, one in 20 girls had abnormal valves in their veins by age nine. By age 18, the incidence had increased to one and nine girls. Many patients have reported seeing their first spider veins as a very young teenager.
It’s not the job, it’s the valve.
It’s weakened or failed valves that cause varicose and spider veins, trapping blood that should be traveling back up the body to the heart and causing the blood to pool backwards instead. So, those long periods of standing often simply exacerbate an existing problem, allowing the damage caused by valve failure to happen quicker and more intensely.
Take actions of prevention.
If you have a job that requires you to stand for long periods of time, take advantage of breaks. Sit or lie down with your feet raised above your heart level; massage your calves and thighs; get regular cardiovascular exercise; eat foods high in vitamins C, E, B6 and B12, or copper, fiber and bioflavonoids; and avoid smoking.
If you believe you are developing varicose veins or spider veins, call 904-402-VEIN (8346) to schedule a consultation with Jacksonville varicose vein specialists at St. Johns Vein Center.
