Losing weight is a common New Year’s resolution people make, for good reason. Obesity contributes to the likelihood of developing many poor health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and some forms of cancer.
Obesity can also cause varicose veins to develop. Carrying extra pounds puts pressure on your veins. Larger veins start to bulge as the blood pools in the leg veins due to insufficient valves that are made worse by the extra weight. While some varicose veins are simply cosmetic concerns, others cause painful symptoms in the legs including aching, swelling and itching.
Not only can obesity contribute to varicose veins developing, being overweight can mask the problem. Obese people may not realize they have varicose veins if the veins are not visible due to excess fat. If unseen, varicose veins go untreated, which can lead to more serious health problems, including leg ulcers.
If you have varicose veins, schedule an appointment with the Vein Clinic. A variety of treatment options exist for treating varicose veins, from conservative approaches like compression stockings to effective treatments such as sclerotherapy.
If you have made losing weight a top resolution in 2017, congratulations! You are making a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Consider scheduling an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss your goal. It’s important to have a wellness checkup before you begin exercising or making changes to your diet, two critical components of a successful weight loss plan.
View the original post on the Vein Clinic of North Carolina website.
