Teachers and Varicose Veins Why Are Teachers at Risk for Varicose Veins?

Teachers, school & college faculties spend most of the time standing or walking. It increases pressure in the leg veins therefore there are chances of their getting varicose veins due to this prolonged period of standing. And people especially female teachers who prefer high heel footwear are at high risk because there is always an additional strain on their legs due to high heel footwear. It causes poor blood circulations and blood pooling in their veins. Problem worsens if person is overweight or pregnant.

Why Are Teachers at Risk for Varicose Veins?

More than four hours standing during a day or one hour continuous standing adversely affect the health as per latest research. Prolonged standing at one place causes physical fatigue, muscle pain, long term back pain, and swelling in leg. Due to prolonged standing your vein overwork and it causes weakness and tiredness. Moreover it might cause cardiovascular problem including varicose veins, chronic venous disease and chronic venous insufficiency.

5 Things Teachers Can Do to Improve Leg and Vein Health

Teachers, school & college faculties stand prolonged period each day, giving lectures and writing on the board. And they may also sit for long periods while developing lesson plans and grading student work. These factors contribute to poor health and specially on the legs, and may lead to varicose veins which if left untreated can lead to more significant chronic venous disease.

Here are 5 things teachers can do to improve leg and vein health, both at work place and at home also:

• Move around. Your body is designed to walk to move. To keep blood circulation on, walk in the classroom or sit for short periods of time, whenever possible, give your legs a rest. Outside of work, exercise regularly and make it your routine.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Due to lack of physical activities people are either overweight or obese, extra weight always gives strain to your whole body, including your veins. Extra weight increase the pressure in your veins which weakens the valves, causing them to fail. Losing weight can reduce pain and swelling in varicose veins and even it may slow the development of other venous disease over the time.
• Keep your feet upside while sitting. Make sure to elevate your feet above your heart end of the day to alleviate pressure and blood pooling occurred during the day while standing.
• Avoid high heel footwear and prefer flat heel, and comfortable shoes that provide excellent support to your leg throughout the day.
• You may choose to wear compression stockings. Compression stockings apply consistent pressure in the legs, to keep blood moving back up to your heart, improving venous circulation and providing relief from pain and swelling.

How Do Varicose Veins Form?

Unlike arteries, veins contain one-way valves to prevent blood from flowing backward. When these one-way valves don’t work properly, or when the pressure inside a vein is too high, blood pools causing the vein to enlarge and become a varicose vein.

Difference Between Arteries Varicose Veins:

Arteries and veins, an intricate network within the human body, are responsible for sending blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the circulatory system. For anyone to function properly, healthy circulation is essential.

Arteries have thick, muscular walls which can withstand very high pressure and push oxygenated blood away from the heart towards the body tissues. Deoxygenated blood is carried by veins from the tissues towards the heart and are located near the surface of the skin. Veins are thinner, more pliable and have collapsible walls if blood circulation stops, as compared to arteries Veins in the legs have small valves that help push blood upward against gravity from the lower extremities back towards the heart. When you sit or stand for long periods, the blood flow may begin to pool in the leg veins, putting pressure on the veins and causing the valves to weaken.

What Are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins?

• Large veins that can be seen just under the surface of your skin
• Mild swelling of your ankles and feet
• Painful, achy, or heavy legs
• Throbbing or cramping in your legs
• Itching, especially on the lower leg and ankle
• Discoloration of the skin in the area around the varicose vein

What Are the Complications Associated with Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are usually not serious, but, complications may occur. They include:

• Inflammation or swelling of veins (phlebitis)
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Leg ulcers

If you experience symptoms such as bulging veins or swelling, pain, heaviness or bruising in the legs, then feel free to visit www.vasculardoctorindia.com or call 9868887666 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Virender Sheorain, best doctor for varicose veins treatment without surgery at Medanta Hospital Gurgaon.