Do Young People Get Varicose Veins?

When you think of varicose veins, do you assume they’re a problem only associated with aging? Most likely, you’ve only seen those large, bulging veins on the legs of more mature people. Contrary to popular belief, varicose veins can also affect young people.

Although aging is the most common factor in the development of venous insufficiency, it isn’t the only circumstance related to varicose veins. There are other conditions that can cause the leg veins to swell and bulge, making venous insufficiency a problem for all ages. Unfortunately, no one is completely immune to varicose veins.

Let’s take a look at some of the elements that can contribute to varicose veins and how early in life this problem can affect people.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

There are multiple circumstances that could contribute to a person developing varicose veins.

Aging is related to weaker vein walls. Of course, aging is a factor in developing varicose veins since the vein walls have experienced more wear and tear over the years. However, this condition is not limited to those with more years under their belt.
Hormonal changes can contribute to varicose veins. Any time hormones fluctuate, as with the menstrual cycle, birth control pills, pregnancy, or menopause, the vein walls can become relaxed, making them less efficient at pumping blood back up the legs.
A family history of varicose veins puts you at a much higher risk of developing them. Up to 90% of people that have a parent with varicose veins develop the condition themselves. When it comes to your genetics and venous insufficiency, age does not discriminate.
Being overweight makes you more vulnerable to varicose veins. Excess weight puts more pressure on the vein walls, which can cause them to weaken and bulge.
Lack of physical activity makes you more susceptible to venous insufficiency. Your blood needs exercise to help pump it back up the leg veins toward the heart.
Sitting or standing for extended periods of time can exacerbate vein issues. Your body needs physical movement to help it circulate blood more efficiently.

Are Varicose Veins in Young People a Cause for Concern?

While varicose veins can be upsetting because of their unsightly appearance, that doesn’t mean there is reason to be alarmed. Especially for young people, developing the swollen, bulging, twisting veins up their legs can make them very self-conscious and inclined to cover up the area when in public. However, for many people, varicose veins are merely a cosmetic problem.

This isn’t to say that young people shouldn’t do anything to try to alleviate the problem. Without diet and lifestyle changes or medical treatment, the varicose veins could potentially get worse. Diets high in sodium, saturated fat, and alcohol, which is very common in the Western diet, could make venous insufficiency more prominent. Wearing tight clothing, particularly around the waist and legs, can negatively impact circulation which could also make varicose veins more visible.

What Treatment Options are Available for Young People with Varicose Veins?

There are several treatment options for managing varicose veins, including some home treatments.

When a young person is seeking ways to decrease the appearance of their varicose veins, a logical place to start is with simple changes to diet and lifestyle.

Clean Up the Diet

A healthy diet is always a good place to start for any health-related condition. To support vein health, a diet should be full of antioxidant-rich foods and low in salty, sugary, or fried foods. Getting plenty of nutrients through dark leafy greens, fruits, healthy fats, lean proteins, and whole grains are the best nutritional options to support healthy, strong veins.

Flush Out Water Retention

Water retention can amplify the appearance of varicose veins, so it’s important to drink plenty of water to flush the system and release excess water. Eating foods high in sodium can cause water retention so cutting back on salty snacks is also helpful.

Exercise Regularly

Staying active is another important component of vein health. When you exercise, your blood gets pushed up the legs and back to the heart, keeping the blood from pooling in the leg veins and causing swelling and bulging. To support your veins, you should keep up with a regular exercise routine. However, you may want to avoid anything overly strenuous that could put more stress on the leg veins.

Watch Your Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is another very helpful way to manage varicose veins. When following the previous two suggestions of eating a healthy diet and staying active, maintaining a healthy weight should become easier. Excess weight puts additional pressure on the leg veins, causing them to bulge more and become even more visible. When you’re at a healthy weight, this can decrease the pressure on the vein walls in the legs.

Try Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat varicose veins. This involves injecting a chemical solution called a sclerosant into the affected vein. This solution irritates the varicose vein and causes it to swell and then close off. With blood no longer actively flowing through that vein, it can constrict and no longer bulge.

This procedure requires an appointment with a dermatologist or vein specialist and takes approximately 15 to 45 minutes. After treatment, the varicose veins should decrease in appearance within a few weeks. Sclerotherapy is highly effective in treating varicose veins but is not often covered by insurance, especially when done for cosmetic reasons.

When Should a Young Person Seek Medical Treatment for Varicose Veins?

If a young person is not experiencing any physical discomfort from their varicose veins, there may be no need for medical intervention. They could simply make diet and lifestyle changes to prevent further development of varicose veins.

However, if the varicose veins are leading to physical symptoms such as heaviness or aching in the legs, pain and soreness, or skin rashes and discoloration in the affected area, the first suggestion would be to try changing the diet and lifestyle to adopt vein-supporting habits.

If natural methods don’t help to alleviate the discomfort, then the young person should speak with a specialist. They could be a good candidate for medical procedures like sclerotherapy.

If a young person is not in pain but the varicose veins are affecting their quality of life due to potential embarrassment or self-consciousness about their legs, this may also warrant a trip to a vein specialist. No one should have to accept feeling less than their best, especially when there are effective treatments readily available.

Summary

Now you know how certain health factors can affect your susceptibility to getting varicose veins. You also know that these swollen, bulging veins can affect people of all ages. Awareness of the risk factors for getting varicose veins can help you to make changes in your diet and lifestyle to promote healthy veins and lower your chances of venous insufficiency.

While a healthy diet and lifestyle are extremely helpful for decreasing your chances of getting varicose veins and alleviating the symptoms if you do get them, it’s important to seek out professional care if the problem persists. If you’re experiencing symptoms of venous insufficiency that don’t respond to diet and lifestyle changes, contact us today to book an appointment.