Beauty Web

Naturally untangle your spider vein queries
by Amy Coates, Bsc, Rhn

Look at your legs or face — maybe you have small red, blue or purple veins that resemble tree branches. These “spider veins” are actually quite prevalent in women, as high levels of estrogen and hormone fluctuations in pregnancy and menstruation play a role in their expression. They can also increase with age and weight if you have a family history of spider veins and if you tend to stand for long periods of time..

If you have spider veins, there’s no need to shy away: love yourself and all of your little quarks! Nevertheless, if you are developing more veins at an uncomfortable rate, have pain around the veins or symptoms such as leg swelling, itching, leg cramps at night or large varicose veins are forming, it may be time to get checked out by a specialist.

Venous insufficiency often occurs when spider and varicose veins are present. This simply means that your body is not adequately pumping blood back to your heart, leading to more pressure in the veins and causing them to become larger. As a result, you can do a few things to help prevent spider veins and improve venous blood flow. First talk to a trainer at your local gym about daily exercise. Exercise is fabulous for getting your muscles pumping and your blood flowing. Also, eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables — think raspberries, blueberries and greens. Anything bright in colour will be bursting with antioxidants, which will strengthen blood vessels and prevent further damage.

If you’re looking for more ways to deal with spider veins from the inside-out, consider vitamin C. According to Joseph Pizzorno, Jr., ND, vitamin C helps build collagen and elastin. So vitamin C may play a role in broken capillaries, which can show up as small spider veins. Pizzorno recommends 500 to 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C supplementation on a daily basis.

Not to mention, graduated compression stockings are great for preventing spider veins because they offer venous support where it’s most needed. They provide the most compression at the ankle and pressure decreases as you move up the leg, working with the leg muscles to improve venous flow. Wear them under work pants and any time you will be sitting or standing for a long period of time.

So grab your running shoes, get that heart pumping and be sure to relax with your feet up. Remember to speak to your doctor if you have any questions about spider veins.

References

Craig F Feied. “Varicose Veins and Spider Veins.” Sep 29, 2005. Medscape. 23 Feb. 2009.James Laredo. “Cause and Treatment for Varicose and Spider Veins.” MedStar Health, Georgetown University Hospital.

Note

Don’ t forget to consult

your health care practitioner

for any health concerns.