Are Men at Risk for Developing Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins have traditionally been seen as a condition that plagues middle-aged women. However, these bulging, twisting veins are not restricted to the female population. As many as 25 percent of men between the ages of 30 and 40 will develop varicose veins and half of all men age 70 and over may have them.
Varicose veins may be viewed as a cosmetic concern, but physical symptoms like heaviness or aching legs can also accompany these veins. If left unchecked, serious complications can also develop, such as venous ulcers that typically appear on the ankle and can be very challenging to treat. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for men to wait to seek treatment until these complications are occurring, which makes varicose vein treatment more complex and sometimes more invasive.
Risk Factors for Varicose Veins
There are a number of risk factors that can increase your odds for developing varicose veins:
- Heredity
- Significant weight gain
- Long periods of sitting and standing
- Occupations that require hours on your feet
- A history of blood clots
While these factors do not guarantee you will develop varicose veins, it is prudent to take steps to prevent the veins from forming if one or more of these risk factors is present.
Varicose Vein Prevention
While there is no way to completely prevent varicose veins, you can take steps to lower your risk:
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods
- Get regular exercise to keep veins healthy
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Elevate legs in the evening
- Wear compression stockings to encourage healthy blood flow
Treating Varicose Veins
If varicose veins do develop, the good news is there are a number of minimally-invasive treatments for both men and women to eliminate these unsightly veins and the uncomfortable symptoms that often accompany them. Procedures using radiofrequency and laser energy effectively seal the veins shut. Blood is naturally rerouted through healthy veins nearby and the treated vein is slowly absorbed by the body.
Injectable treatments, known as sclerotherapy, can also be effective in treating smaller, superficial varicose and spider veins. This procedure injects a sclerosing agent directly into the diseased vein, causing the vein to seal closed so it eventually disappears from view. All of these procedures involve little or no discomfort or downtime afterward.
If you have the early signs of varicose veins, don’t wait too long to seek treatment. At Advanced Varicose Vein Treatments of Manhattan, Dr. Lev offers a variety of treatment options for both men and women to eliminate painful veins and achieve better vascular health. To learn more, contact our office at 212-204-6501.