June is Men’s Health Month
June is Men's Health Month, and that means it's a good time to learn more about the risks associated with vein disease. While vein disease is less common in men, it still occurs quite frequently and should not be overlooked.
Use this Men's Health Month as a great time to focus on your health and wellbeing by taking some time to learn more about the risks associated with vein disease. Here are some important things for men to consider when it comes to vein health.
What is men's health month and why is it important?
The purpose of Men's Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of health issues that disproportionately affect men.
There are a number of reasons why it is important for men to take care of their health. One reason is that men often have poorer health outcomes than women partly due to the fact that men are less likely than women to seek medical help when they are not feeling well. This can lead to easily preventable diseases becoming much more serious due to a lack of action including commonly found diseases in men, such as heart disease and prostate cancer. These can be treated more effectively when caught early.
When it comes to vein treatment, this is one area of men's health that is often overlooked. However, vein disease is a common problem that can cause serious symptoms such as numbness, deep vein thrombosis and skin ulcers. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact a vein specialist immediately and schedule a consultation. The longer you wait to take care of your veins and treat any venous diseases, the more likely you are to suffer from a serious condition that could potentially be life-threatening depending on the severity.
The risks associated with vein disease in men
While vein disease may be more associated with women, men are also likely to get a venous disease throughout their life, with 11 million having varicose veins between the ages of 40 to 80 according to a study by AHA Journals. Men tend to have more muscle mass than women, and this can open the door for vein issues since this increased muscle mass results in more pressure on the veins. Additionally, men are more likely to be overweight or obese, which is another risk factor for vein disease.
How vein disease can be detected early on
Vein disease is often undetected until it has progressed to a more advanced stage. However, there are some early warning signs that can indicate the presence of vein disease. In men, these signs may include:
Pain
Aching
Heaviness in the legs
Swelling of the ankles or feet
Discoloration of the skin around the ankles or feet
Varicose veins
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a vein specialist right away. Treatment for vein disease is much more successful when it is begun in the early stages.
Tips for maintaining good men's health
1. Maintain a healthy weight
Excess weight puts additional pressure on your veins. Exercise helps improve vein health by keeping the muscles around the veins toned and working properly. Likewise, eating a healthy diet rich in vein friendly vitamins and minerals can support your circulatory system which will help the blood flow the way it's meant to.
2. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time
When you’re not moving, the pressure on your veins increases, making them work harder to pump blood back up to your heart. Try making it a part of your daily routine to switch how you are positioned so you don't get too sedentary for too long.
3. Elevate your legs when possible
This will help relieve some of the pressure on your veins and will help prevent the blood from pooling which can lead to varicose veins. It is good to do this throughout the day even when not feeling any pain or discomfort in your legs.
4. Wear compression stockings
If you have to sit or stand for a long time this can help move the blood from your legs to the other parts of the body where it's needed. Compression stockings put gentle pressure on your veins, which can help keep them functioning properly.
5. Drink plenty of water
Water helps with overall health and you need to be drinking it each day to help keep your circulatory system healthy which will aid in vein function. A lack of water can lead to dehydration and cramping which can aggravate existing vein issues.
6. Quit smoking
Smoking damages the walls of your veins and makes it more difficult for them to carry blood properly. It can also lead to other serious illnesses that can exacerbate vein disease and lower your overall quality of life.
7. Manage chronic health conditions
This can include but is not limited to diabetes, heart disease, and venous insufficiency. These conditions can all lead to major vein problems, especially if combined.
8. See a doctor regularly
Frequent checkups and visits to your doctor can help keep you in the loop with the things going on in your body. It may seem tedious, but a random visit to the doctor can shed some light on any nagging issue or result in early detection of a serious medical condition, and that's the best time to find out because that's when the most options are available. Waiting or avoiding the doctor limits the window of help and treatments possible.
Treatment options for vein disease
Performing simple, daily tasks to prevent vein disease is important. However, even if you do all of these activities, vein disease may still show up, and it's important to talk with a vein specialist to see which treatment options are best for your situation. Here are some of the treatments offered by Elmore Medical.
Microsurgery
Microsurgery is a technique that utilizes special instruments to remove veins through a few, very tiny "micro" incisions. The incisions are so small that, with normal healing, one can scarcely find them on the leg.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is one of the most effective and widely used methods for treating vein diseases. An irritating (sclerosing) solution is injected directly into the vein through a tiny catheter. The vein closes and then disappears with normal healing.
EVLT
Also known as Endovenous Laser Therapy, this is regarded as the best available treatment for large damaged varicose veins. Through a single needle stick, a fine laser fiber is inserted into a varicose vein. Laser energy is used to generate heat which seals the vein closed.
This Men’s Health Month, we want to remind our male readers that vein disease prevention is important for everyone. Vein disease can lead to some serious health complications down the road if left untreated, so it’s important to be proactive about your health and take steps to keep your veins in proper shape. We hope you have a better understanding of the risks associated with vein disease and how you can prevent it from happening to you. If you have any questions or need help finding a vein specialist, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Mario Gonzalez and the entire Elmore Medical team.
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.