Gone are the days when the majority of those working each day were putting in long hours of physical work. For the most part, millions of Americans who head off to their daily 9 to 5 will be spending the majority of their days seated behind a desk and a monitor. More than any other time in years past, Americans spend large portions of their days in a sedentary state and this constant seated position can have a detrimental effect on one’s health.
Though weight issues are one of the top consequences that people attribute to long hours of sitting, a lesser known health risk of sitting all day long is the pressure it can put on a person’s legs, particularly their veins. Those who spend long hours seated without daily exercise are much more likely to develop venous disease such as spider veins and varicose veins than those who regularly get moving on a daily basis. Legs that are kept in an upright position, such as sitting in a chair behind a desk, the blood within the legs has to work hard against gravity to pump back toward the heart. Those who sit for long periods put more pressure on their legs and veins as they struggle to constantly pump blood upwards toward the heart and pooling of the blood within the veins can occur. The walls of the veins can become exhausted over time and weakened which can cause damage to the valves.
There are simple efforts that can be made to help alleviate the symptoms of venous insufficiency or help to keep varicose veins from developing altogether. Regular, daily walks of at least 20 minutes each will help with circulation and keep your veins running smoothly. Compression stockings help to squeeze the veins and keep excess blood from flowing backward. Some people may need to wear compression stockings on a daily basis.
If venous insufficiency has already become a problem and you’re noticing spider veins or varicose veins appearing on your legs, you will want to seek help from an experienced physician who treats venous disease. Sclerotherapy treatments may be required to rid your legs of damaged veins and keep the problem from becoming worse and causing more serious health issues.
If you’re worried about venous insufficiency, contact the experts at the Skin & Vein Center for a consultation to see what kind of treatment options are best for you.