How Does the Winter Season Affect Varicose Veins?
For many people, winter is their favorite time of year. The days are shorter, but the weather gets cooler, making it the perfect time to cozy up indoors with a good book or movie. You may be familiar with the effects of summer heat on varicose veins and their associated symptoms. The winter months present their own distinct challenges for vein health.
In this article, we'll discuss how cold temperatures and other aspects of the winter season can affect your varicose veins and vein health.
What are Varicose Veins?
Healthy veins transport blood back to the heart and lungs. Tiny valves inside the veins help the blood flow in the right direction against gravity. When the vein walls or the valves inside the veins are damaged or diseased, the blood can reflux (flow backwards) and start pooling in the veins and surrounding tissues. This can result in varicose veins.
Varicose veins are enlarged, bulging veins that can occur throughout the body, but most often affect the legs. They are frequently associated with a variety of other symptoms, including leg pain or aches in the calf, swelling, and legs that feel tired, heavy, or itchy. When varicose veins and venous reflux go untreated, they often end up causing more serious problems, such as irreversible swelling, skin breakdown, and chronic leg ulcers. Varicose veins have also been linked to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a potentially life-threatening condition that involves blood clots in the deep vein system.
Varicose Veins and Winter Time
Seasonal temperature changes can have a big effect on varicose veins. Hot temperatures cause veins to dilate (temporarily grow larger). This dilation can worsen the symptoms of varicose veins, including pain and swelling. By contrast, people with varicose veins often find that cooler temperatures alleviate some of their swelling and discomfort. This is because veins respond to cold temperatures by constricting (temporarily becoming smaller). In constricted veins, the vein walls are closer together, which reduces the amount of backwards blood flow and improves the venous circulation.
Another effect of winter on vein disease involves compression stockings. It’s important to note that compression stockings are helpful all year round for people suffering from varicose veins, and in fact they are especially helpful in the summer time because of how warm weather can worsen symptoms of vein disease. However, many patients feel more willing and able to wear compression stockings in the winter because they provide added protection against cold weather.
The winter months are also a time when many people travel long distances to celebrate holidays with friends and family. Whether you travel by plane, train, or car, sitting for prolonged periods is a major risk factor for worsening varicose veins and their symptoms.
How to Take Care of Your Vein Health in Winter
Be aware of how weather changes and changes to your daily routine may affect your vein health. Even if you experience less pain and swelling due to cooler temperatures, it is still a good idea to wear compression stockings and to continue your daily exercise routine. If it’s too cold to go on a walk outside, find ways to stay physically active indoors.
When traveling long distances, take frequent breaks to walk and stretch your legs, and don’t forget to wear your compression stockings. Elevate your legs above the level of your heart several times a day for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Not only do these measures help relieve varicose vein symptoms, they also help prevent life-threatening blood clots that can develop during travel.
Are you planning on celebrating with family or friends by eating a big holiday meal this winter season? Make sure to wear pants or other clothing with an elastic or adjustable waistband. Too much pressure around the waist isn’t just uncomfortable, it can also impede your circulation and worsen your varicose veins.
Treating Varicose Veins in Winter
Many patients with varicose veins find that the winter months are a convenient time to seek treatment for varicose veins, especially because wearing compression stockings is required for several weeks after vein treatment.
Varicose veins can be treated with several in-office procedures that are fast, effective, and involve remarkably little down time. Treatment for varicose veins not only relieves pain, discomfort, and swelling, it also helps prevent long-term complications of vein disease.
Final thoughts
If you are experiencing symptoms of vein disease and you are interested in getting an expert evaluation to discuss treatment options, please contact us at Elmore Medical.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.