Cat Sims, 44, admitted her legs have always been achy, heavy and uncomfortable but the last thing she expected after some tests was a diagnosis way beyond her years
Varicose veins affect up to 40% of UK adults, with many sufferers feeling more self-conscious in the summer when the hotter weather makes us want to reach for shorts, skirts and swimwear. How confident women feel in summer clothing is already low, with just 16% saying they feel comfortable wearing shorts, even on holiday. The presence of varicose veins adds another layer of self-consciousness.
Varicose veins are large bulging veins that can be seen pressing out of the skin, most commonly on the legs. They bulge because of the pressure of the blood inside them. Left untreated, they can lead to swelling, ulcers, chronic pain and an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis. They result from valve failure in leg veins, which is influenced by genetics. Other factors include age, sex, pregnancy, obesity and long periods on your feet.
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Venous surgeon Professor Mark Whiteley, founder of The Whiteley Clinic, says, “These other factors probably don’t affect your risk of getting varicose veins, but increase the rate of deterioration.” He adds, “Varicose veins tend to worsen in the summer. Warm temperatures cause veins to dilate as your body tries to release heat. This makes varicose veins bulge more and feel heavier. Dilated veins with weak valves allow more blood to pool in the legs,increasing symptoms such as swelling, tiredness,cramps and even new spider veins appearing.“Longer standing or active days in the sun can further aggravate symptoms. Plus, compression stockings can feel stifling in the heat, so people avoid them, removing their benefit.”
Here, Professor Whiteley offers tips to help manage varicose veins during the warmer months…
Elevate your legs
When lying in the sun or shade or in moments of lounging, lift up your legs whenever possible. Gravity assists the veins in pushing blood back towards the heart, which can alleviate the pooling of blood in the lower extremities. “This helps reduce the pressure and discomfort associated with varicose veins and can also minimise swelling,” explains Professor Whiteley.
Jump into a swimming pool
If you’re near water, dive in! Professor Whiteley says, “With an increase of the pressure from the water on your legs, your body has better circulation, which helps your veins move blood back up to your heart more efficiently than when you’re on dry land.”
Eat citrus fruits
The high vitamin C content in oranges, lemons and limes strengthens the vein walls and improves overall circulation. “Vitamin C is crucial for collagen and elastin production, essential for maintaining vein elasticity and preventing them from becoming weakened and dilated, which can lead to varicose veins,” Professor Whiteley says. “Citrus fruits also contain flavonoids, which can reduce inflammation and improve blood flow.“
Take a supplement
Micronised purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) is a supplement that is composed of 90% diosmin and 10% active flavonoids. It is made from naturally derived extracts found in citrus fruits. “MPFF works in a similar way to the benefits of citrus fruits and inhibits inflammatory processes and improves lymphatic circulation,” Professor Whiteley says. “Supplements including diosmin and hesperidin can be bought online.”
Stay cool
Avoid overheating by using a fan, staying in the shade and wearing cool clothes. Take baths and showers in lukewarm or cold water to support vein constriction. Cooler temperatures trigger vasoconstriction, the narrowing of blood vessels. This constriction helps reduce the size of varicose veins, making them less prominent and improving blood flow. You can also try placing chilled flannels on your legs for instant relief.
Cat Sims, a 44-year old author and podcaster from London, shares her relief at finally feeling able to show her legs off again.
“I’ve struggled with varicose veins since my early twenties, but when I was about 25, I noticed they were becoming visually more obvious. Physically, I’d get achy, heavy legs, which was uncomfortable and frustrating because I was so young. They also got unbearably itchy.
“I felt very self-conscious of my legs. I had no idea how to fix them because no one talked about them – especially people my age. I‘d raise my legs up and ice them to try and alleviate the itching. If I had to get my legs out, I’d use make-up and fake tan to try and hide them.
“Summer was hard because the heat seemed to make my legs feel even more heavy and the itching would intensify. It was a constant low-level discomfort that started to wear me down. I was reluctant to wear shorts.
“After a year of suffering, I went to my GP. This was back when you could get varicose veins stripped surgically on the NHS. The recovery was awful. My legs were black and blue for weeks and I felt really unwell.
“When I got pregnant at 31, the veins came back – and worse. A friend introduced me to Professor Whiteley and it was such a relief when he said they could be fixed.
”He checked for pelvic congestion via a scan, which showed I had four significant areas of varicose veins in my pelvis – a condition they call Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS). He explained that if we didn’t fix the congestion in my pelvis, the leg veins would always come back.
“After that treatment, I had my leg veins treated again, and one year on I’m still varicose vein free. I’m finally back in my shorts.”