Varicose veins and smaller spider veins can affect even elite athletes. Physically active people typically spend a great deal of time on their feet, which can place continued strain on the veins of the lower legs.
Additionally, some forms of exercise require the legs to support heavy weight over sustained periods of time such as when weightlifting, backpacking, or skiing. Repetitive motion sports such as running, tennis or cycling can also add stress on leg veins and all of these activities can damage vein valves, affecting circulatory health and performance.
The symptoms of varicose veins may include pain, achiness, leg cramping, heaviness, swelling, fatigue and itching. Because exercise often helps to hide the symptoms of vein disease, athletes may not recognize problem veins that may be impairing their health and athletic performance. Vein disease is progressive, becoming worse over time and can lead to other serious complications.
Taking certain steps can help alleviate additional stress on the veins. Wearing compression stockings during exercise and elevating feet afterward can help blood return from the lower extremities to the heart, as well as wearing the proper lifting shoes to prevent excess strain and give you good support during each lift. Avoid overheating in saunas, hot tubs or hot baths and maintain a healthy weight and a healthy diet to help decrease the risk of developing problem veins.
However, because other factors can affect the risk for developing varicose or spider veins such as genetics, occupation, pregnancy, and aging, a healthy lifestyle alone may not prevent them. A varicose vein specialist can identify problem veins and two highly effective, non-surgical varicose vein treatment options available, endovenous laser ablation and sclerotherapy for varicose veins.
A specialist vein doctor can perform these treatments in only minutes per leg, and they can be completed in the comfort of the office, without hospitalization or a surgery center. Because no scalpels or sutures are utilized in either treatment, there are no long-lasting scars or keloids. There’s minimal discomfort, and most treatments are characterized as being virtually painless.
With these modern therapies, most people can resume their daily activities immediately after treatment. Additionally, most major health insurance carriers provide coverage for the treatment of vein disease and venous insufficiency when medically necessary.
If varicose veins or spider veins are affecting your health and athletic performance, please contact the Goldman Vein Institute today at one of our two convenient locations: Jupiter 561-625-9853 or Wellington 561-790-4550, or visit us at www.goldmanveininstitute.com.
At the Goldman Vein Institute, our mission is to provide our patients with comprehensive care for varicose veins, spider veins, and other conditions caused by venous insufficiency. Our highly-qualified and experienced, board-certified vein specialists, Dr. Goldman and Dr. Varghese-Goldman, combine their extensive knowledge and experience, with the latest innovations in vein treatments.
With our offices in Jupiter and West Palm Beach Florida, the Goldman Vein Institute serves patients from Stuart, Hobe Sound, Tequesta, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Hialeah, Sunny Isles, Bay Harbor, Bal Harbour, Miami Beach, Aventura, Surfside, Hallandale, and Hollywood, and we welcome patients across South Florida to visit our state-of-the-art vein centers, where we provide the latest in vein treatment technology.
