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By Dr. Samuel P. Martin
Did you know: Over 24 million Americans suffer from vein problems Over $3 billion is spent yearly on health care due to vein ulcers Another 2-2.5 million suffer from Deep Vein Thrombosis
These stats hint at the prevalence of vein disease. But when summertime comes around, we’re met with another vein health challenge. High summer temperatures can cause you veins to dilate, increasing discomfort caused by swelling. Many patients report increased skin sensitivity in the summer months as well, exacerbating your discomfort.
Vein disorders have many potential causes, including those that we cannot control, such as age and heredity. If you are over 50, your risk of developing vein disease is 10 times greater than when you are 25. And if your mother or father had a vein problem, you are at an increased risk.
Your sex also plays a role, with women’s hormones contributing to greater rates of vein disorder. Over 50% of women over the age of 65 have developed vein problems. Jobs involving long periods of sitting or standing also contribute to vein problems. And those long, hot summer days only exacerbate the problem, particularly if you are overweight and struggle in the heat.
So what can you do to protect your vein health this summer? Maintaining a healthy weight, diet and lifestyle is especially important with the increased stress of vein swelling that can accompany the heat. Compression therapy can also help support your legs to prevent vein disease, particularly if you’re using the summer months to get into better shape.
Specially designed stockings for running and other sports can increase your exercise safety as you shape up over the next few months. While you can’t totally avoid the high summer temperatures that may aggravate your vein trouble, you can support your vein health with a fit and active lifestyle that prevents vein trouble in the first place!
To learn more about maintaining healthy veins in spite of the summer heat, reach out to our specialists for a priority consultation. They’ll discuss the simple lifestyle changes, compression therapy and minimally invasive treatments that can give you relief from your vein discomfort this summer.
