VERICOSE AND SPIDER VEINS: HOW TO AVOID THEM IN NURSES

What Causes Spider Veins and Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins 

Varicose veins are widened, twisting, bulging, discolored veins that are very close to the surface of the skin. The widened and bulging veins are filled with blood and the pressure in these veins is high. 
The valves in the veins that help the blood return to the heart are damaged. They tend to be hereditary, most commonly occur in women, and worsen during pregnancy. 

VV may cause no symptoms or cause a dull, heavy ache, itching, burning, fatigue, and cramping; particularly after standing for a long period of time.
Some widened veins may be tender to touch and occasionally, ankle swelling may develop as the day progresses. Some persons are most concerned about the negative cosmetic appearance of varicose veins.

Varicose veins often result from sedentary lifestyles, although heredity can play a large role as well. 
Valves in the vein become damaged over time, causing blood to pool in these veins. This results in the veins becoming larger over time, until you have the appearance of “varicose veins.”

Spider veins look different from varicose veins. Spider veins are very small looking veins that are usually purple, red, or blue. These also result from blood pooling and leaking around the vein, and trauma can also cause this.

How to Prevent Varicose Veins – 8 Tips for Nurses

1. Take breaks

Varicose veins appear because of prolonged standing and leg fatigue. Make sure to take breaks at work. Sit down whenever you can and rest your legs while you’re at it.

2. Elevate your legs

Do this by lying down or by using a footstool when sitting. This will help relieve fatigue in your lower extremities, and therefore, prevent the veins from losing their elasticity. Elevate your legs at the end of the day everyday and your legs will feel so much better.

3. Avoid wearing tight clothes

Choose clothes that are comfortable enough for you to move around freely even while you work. Clothes that are too tight for your legs like girdles or skinny jeans can block the movement of blood up your legs. This may cause pooling of the blood, and in a short period of time, varicose veins may appear.

4. Avoid wearing high heels

It has been found that the muscles in your calves contract less when you’re wearing high-heeled shoes. This will cause the venous blood pressure to increase, thus, straining the valves in the veins. As much as possible, choose comfortable shoes, especially for your nursing clinicals.

5. Avoid crossing your legs

Although it has not been scientifically proven yet, crossing your legs may cause them, especially if varicose veins run in your family. Avoid crossing your legs whenever you’re sitting, so as to keep a good circulation in your legs and prevent your legs’ venous blood pressure from increasing.

6. Wear compression stockings

Choose the best compression stockings for you by knowing your leg measurements and the best level of tightness for you, usually around the range of 15 to 20 mmHg only. The stockings will help relieve leg fatigue and prevent varicose veins by applying pressure to your lower extremities.

7. Eat right

The heavier you are, the more undue pressure you put on your legs, especially when you have to stand for long periods of time. Maintain healthy eating habits and make sure that you keep a daily exercise routine.

 

 

 

 

8. Stay fit

Moving around often will improve the circulation in your legs, thus, fending off the development and the probable worsening of varicose veins. Exercise also helps you stay fit and keeps your circulatory system healthy.

About the Author:

By Mary Elizabeth Velarmino Francisco
Adopted from nursebuff.com