Q10. How do you prevent varicose veins?

A10. There is no cure for varicose veins but it is possible to minimise the risk of developing them.

This is more difficult if you have a family history of varicose veins but even so, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting them.

These include taking breaks if you are sat down for long periods of time. If your job involves standing on your feet for most of the day then try and walk around or transfer your weight from one foot to another.

Exercise on a daily basis. This does not have to mean a gym; rather that you find something which you enjoy doing and increases your heart rate as well.

Walking is a very good form of exercise.

Follow a healthy diet. This is particularly important if you are overweight as carrying excess body fat puts a strain on the veins which damages them.

A healthy diet also prevents constipation which is another cause of varicose veins. This causes damage in the veins surrounding the vagina or anus which can lead to conditions such as haemorrhoids (or "piles").

Find out more about precautionary measures in our preventing varicose veins section.

FAQS Index:

Varicose veins FAQs

• Q1. What are varicose veins?
• Q2. Do varicose veins only develop in your legs?
• Q3. Who is most likely to get varicose veins
• Q4. Why do women get varicose veins more than men?
• Q5. What causes varicose veins?
• Q6. What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
• Q7. How are varicose veins diagnosed?
• Q8. What is the treatment for varicose veins?
• Q9. Are there long term problems with varicose veins?
• Q10. How do you prevent varicose veins?

• Q11. Can you inherit varicose veins?
• Q12. How do compression stockings work?
• Q13. What is endovenous laser ablation?
• Q14. What is sclerotherapy?
• Q15. Does sitting with your legs crossed cause varicose veins?
• Q16. What is deep vein thrombosis?
• Q17. Does travelling cause deep vein thrombosis?
• Q18. Can you prevent deep vein thrombosis?
• Q19. How do you treat deep vein thrombosis?
• Q20. Are varicose veins the same as thread veins?

Guide to Varicose Veins

• Guide to Varicose Veins
• Your leg veins
• Varicose veins
• Causes of varicose veins
• Symptoms of varicose veins
• Diagnosing varicose veins
• Treating varicose veins
• Non-surgical treatment for varicose veins
• Coil embolisation
• Sclerotherapy
• Foam sclerotherapy
• Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy
• Lifestyle changes
• Compression stockings

• Surgical treatment for varicose veins
• Vein ligation and stripping
• Endoscopic perforator vein surgery
• Latest treatments
• Ambulatory phlebectomy
• Endovenous laser treatment
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Transilluminated powered phlebectomy
• Complications of varicose veins
• Preventing varicose veins
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Varicose veins FAQs
• Glossary