Edison Plaza

On September 14, 2015, VasCare begin seeing patients at our brand new office in Downtown Beaumont’s Edison Plaza. After moving to Edison Plaza, the office will be on the 14th floor of the building in suite 1415. With sweeping views of Southeast Texas, patients will not be disappointed by our new location. Free parking is available directly in front of the building, near the main entrance. Patients requiring special assistance can call the clinic at 409-924-8600 or ask one of the Edison Plaza staff. Learn more about Edison Plaza.

New Address:

350 Pine Street
Suite 1415
Beaumont, TX 77701

It’s estimated that as many as 60% of adults have varicose veins or spider veins. Despite their prevalence, many people don’t know much about them or how to prevent spider veins. In fact, there are several varicose and spider veins causes. Some of these factors are genetic and others are heavily influenced by your lifestyle.

Before I get to the latter, let’s look at some of the root causes of spider veins that can’t be helped: genetics, hormonal influences, and history of blood clots.

Unfortunately, heredity plays a huge part in the likelihood of spider veins. Like most genetic traits, if both your parents suffer from varicose or spider veins, the odds of you getting them increase tremendously.

Additionally, hormones and blood clots play a role the development of spider veins. Periods of hormonal change (including pregnancy and menopause) increase the chance of developing spider veins. But instead of focusing on these elements that are outside of our control, let’s look at some spider vein causes that we can influence.

Top Causes and How to Prevent Spider Veins

Some factors that lead to spider veins and varicose veins can be controlled. By focusing on factors over which we have agency, you can make minor lifestyle changes that could have a big influence.

High Risk Professions

There are several occupations that increase the likelihood of spider veins. These professions generally require prolonged standing or sitting such as office workers, nurses, factory workers, cashiers, and hairstylists.

If your job requires long stretches of standing or sitting, be proactive and find ways to get moving throughout the day. If you work in an office, taking a short walk every 15-30 minutes is a great way to get your blood pumping again. Likewise, if you spend all day on your feet, find ways to walk, sit, and stay moving.

Obesity and Spider Veins

Being overweight can lead to several health problems, including vascular diseases like spider veins. While not the sole cause of the disease, obesity creates medical complications.

Getting Rid of Spider Veins

Getting rid of spider veins starts with the accurate diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause, which is often venous insufficiency. After the incompetent veins that lead to the spider veins are treated, direct treatment of the unsightly spider veins is much more effective.

If you are a runner and begin noticing spider or varicose veins keep an eye on the symptoms. If they become worse, consult your physician. Running on softer surfaces and wearing compression stockings both help combat spider veins.

Birth Control and Spider Veins

Another contributing spider veins cause is hormonal changes. For women, this includes puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Likewise, the long-term use of high estrogen birth control pills may be contributing fact in developing vascular disease.

If you are taking birth control and begin developing spider veins talk to your doctor.

***

There is no single cause that lead to spider veins, but be aware of your risk factors and take steps to mitigate them whenever possible. You can work in small changes to your day like taking breaks to stretch at work or taking up a new exercise regimen, to help prevent spider veins.

If you would like to request an appointment at VasCare Vein Clinics please fill out this form today.

You may have heard the old wives’ tale that crossing your legs causes varicose veins. But does it? According to a new study that examined what causes varicose veins, it simply isn’t true.

While once thought that sitting with your legs crossed at the knee was a contributing factor in spider veins and varicose veins, a new study released by the journal Blood Pressure Monitoring shows no direct connection between how a person sits and varicose veins.

Instead, the study found that it’s not how you sit that’s important to your vascular health, but for how long you sit. Prolonged periods of inactivity can force your veins to work harder to pump the blood back to the heart, which can be a major cause of varicose veins.

For office workers of all ages, the threat of inactivity is pervasive. Doctors warn against sitting at a desk for several uninterrupted hours, but for many that’s hard to avoid.

To help stave off periods of prolonged inactivity, doctors promote doing minor exercises or activities throughout the day to keep your body active and your blood flowing. Doctors recommend a few minutes of activity every hour to stave off the many health risks that come with remaining sedentary.

Top 6 Tips on How to Fight Causes of Varicose Veins at Work

1. Do toe raises. Stand by your desk 2-4 minutes every hour and perform toe raises repeatedly while holding on to your chair or desk for balance. This activates the gastrocnemius muscle pump for venous blood return to the heart.”
2. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Exercise your leg muscles by taking the stairs whenever possible, especially if you’re only travelling a few floors.
3. Use an exercise ball instead of a chair. Keep your core muscles working by sitting on an exercise ball instead of a chair. Other benefits include better balance and improved posture.
4. Set an alarm. Many people get engrossed in their work. It can be helpful to set an alarm or reminder to tell you when to stop working and take a short break, which could include a walk around the office or the office building.
5. Walk, don’t call. Over the course of the day, we all send countless inter-office emails or phone calls. Instead, take the opportunity to walk across the office for a face-to-face conversation instead of calling.
6. Have walking meetings. Pretend you’re in an episode of The West Wing and hold a few meetings while walking throughout the building.

Varicose veins are a serious venous disease and should be handled with precaution.  VasCare clinics have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating varicose veins and chronic venous disease. Contact us today to request an appointment and learn more about varicose veins treatment options