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 a host of others.
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.
Please talk to your primary care provider about any changes in. your fitness plans and weight loss goals. 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.
If you have – or think you may have – varicose veins, schedule an appointment with Dr. Scott Baker at the Vein Clinic of North Carolina. We have a variety of treatment options for treating vein conditions, including compression stockings and endovenous closure, as well as sclerotherapy for spider veins.
View the original post on the Vein Clinic of North Carolina website.
