McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
The impact of your daily habits on varicose veins
Published by Dr Alex Vesey
Date posted — 8.05.25
Varicose veins are common, affecting up to 20% of the population in Scotland, but understanding their causes can help you manage them effectively. Daily lifestyle habits play a significant role in how varicose veins develop and progress. Knowing what influences vein health can empower you to make beneficial changes.
Understanding your vein health
Your veins perform a crucial job—they carry blood back to your heart. Small valves within your veins prevent blood from flowing backward. However, when these valves weaken or become damaged, blood can pool, causing veins to swell and over time they become varicose. Typically, varicose veins appear as bulging, twisted veins, usually noticeable in your legs.
Habits and lifestyle choices influencing varicose veins
Certain daily habits significantly influence the likelihood of developing varicose veins:
- Extended Sitting or Standing: Long periods without movement increase pressure on your veins, potentially damaging valves and contributing to vein swelling.
- Lack of Physical Activity: Regular exercise promotes good circulation and strengthens vein walls. Inactivity can weaken veins, making varicose veins more likely.
- Excess Weight: Extra weight puts additional pressure on your veins, particularly those in your legs.
- Wearing Tight Clothing: Clothes that constrict your waist or legs can limit proper blood circulation, exacerbating vein pressure.
- Excessive Alcohol Intake and Smoking: Both habits negatively impact blood circulation, weakening vein walls and increasing the risk of varicose veins.
Making proactive changes—like incorporating regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding prolonged sitting or standing, and reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption—can greatly reduce your chances of developing varicose veins.
How can I get rid of varicose veins if I have them?
If you’re already noticing varicose veins, several effective treatments can help improve or eliminate their appearance and symptoms:
Natural Remedies: Lifestyle adjustments like regular exercise, compression stockings, and elevating your legs can relieve symptoms but may not completely remove varicose veins.
Professional Treatments:
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Minimally invasive and highly effective, RFA uses heat to close problematic veins.
- Foam Sclerotherapy: A chemical solution injected directly into the vein, causing it to collapse and fade from view.
- Microphlebectomy: Surgical removal of visible veins through tiny incisions, offering immediate cosmetic improvement.
- VenaSeal™: An innovative adhesive treatment that safely closes the affected veins without the need for heat or invasive surgery.
Conclusion
At McKeown Medical, our expert team specialises in the latest treatments for varicose veins, providing advanced care tailored to your specific needs. We are committed to helping you achieve healthier legs and regain confidence in your appearance and comfort.
At McKeown Medical, we have a team of experts with a wealth of experience treating varicose veins with the latest cutting-edge technology. To discuss our available treatment options, book a consultation today
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