Turning 40 is hard. Suddenly you’ve reached the middle age bracket, and a visit to your doctor starts to take a lot longer than it used to. Your body may feel slower, a little pudgier, and not as spry as you were at 20. All those feelings about your body can bring you to a shocking conclusion. It’s time to start taking better care of your body.
Most people who experience venous insufficiency issues like varicose veins, spider veins, or vein ulcers are between 40-80 years old. Women are more likely to develop vein health issues like varicose veins than men. Approximately 23% of US adults have varicose veins, and if you add in spider veins and reticular veins, the percentage goes over 80% for both genders! These statistics show that vein health issues are common, and many of these issues start in middle age when your body naturally begins to slow down.
Just because leg vein problems may be common doesn’t mean you should ignore them or the warning signs before they appear. Without treatment, varicose and spider veins will only worsen and eventually lead to serious health complications. That’s why you must begin monitoring your vein health.
How do you start watching your vein health? First, pay attention to your legs, especially during certain activities. Swelling, leg pain and feelings of heaviness or fatigue in the legs are early indicators of potential vein problems. These symptoms occur when problematic veins in your legs begin to become blocked and start to form varicose or spider veins. However, long before these vein issues may be present on your skin, they may be developing under the surface. If you start to notice these symptoms, book a consultation with our clinic. Our doctors are trained to spot problematic vein problems and use targeted ultrasound technology to find underlying issues that have not yet developed into visible issues.
Another way to care for your vein health after turning 40 is to look after your full-body health. Your body is all interconnected, and how your care for yourself affects every aspect of your health. If you aren’t already practicing healthy lifestyle tips like eating right, getting sufficient exercise, monitoring stress, and taking care of your mental health, make a plan to start. Even if your physical health isn’t in the best place, start where you are and make incremental healthy changes. Remember, some risk factors for vein health problems include being overweight, not exercising, standing/sitting for long periods, and smoking. Resolve to improve your vein health by addressing the risk factors that apply to you.
Remember, vein health issues affect a lot of people. Though they typically start to show up in middle age for most people, they can begin earlier or later. Always watch for the warning signs and practice preventative health habits. If you are concerned about your vein health, we can help. Call to book a consultation today! (205) 710-3800