Weight Loss and Varicose Veins
September 17, 2013
Along with heredity, pregnancy and occupations or activities requiring long periods of standing or sitting, obesity can be a contributing factor to the development of vein disease in your legs. With this in mind, patients often want to know how weight loss will affect their varicose veins and how their legs look and feel.
As you lose weight, your overall health will improve, and your symptoms may feel better. However, if you have abnormal function of the valves of the veins leading to varicose veins, weight loss alone will not resolve this medical issue and likely will not alleviate all symptoms. In this case, even with weight loss, a patient would remain a good candidate for varicose vein treatment. In fact, as one loses weight, there is often less room or tissue for the veins to “hide” in, and the varicosities will often become more apparent, or seem larger.
At The Kimmel Institute, we provide free initial vein screenings where we can discuss your individual symptoms, medical history and concerns, and determine if a follow-up ultrasound diagnostic test should be conducted. Call 561-477-0210 to schedule.
Dr. Richard Kimmel