While the problem of varicose veins (venous insufficiency) has long been thought to mostly affect women, experts are more and more frequently stating that the problem is equally serious for both sexes, and there are even claims that in men, especially after the age of 50, the problem is even more common than in women, but gentlemen are reluctant to seek medical help.

While the problem of varicose veins (venous insufficiency) has long been thought to mostly affect women, experts are more and more frequently stating that the problem is equally serious for both sexes, and there are even claims that in men, especially after the age of 50, the problem is even more common than in women, but gentlemen are reluctant to seek medical help.

Men prefer not to go to the doctor

The reason for the above assumption that venous failure affects the female audience much more frequently is quite simple. Most often, women pay attention to this problem promptly - before it has caused major medical problems, and only impairs the aesthetic appearance of the legs. Meanwhile, men who hide their legs in long trousers on a daily basis, do not usually worry much about their aesthetic appearance, and only start paying attention to dilated veins when they start to interfere with daily life or sports activities.

Reasons for the development of venous insufficiency:

• heredity,
• sedentary lifestyle,
• prolonged standing and sitting,
• obesity,
• hard physical work,
• intensive sports activity and others. 

Quick and painless examinations

Men may believe that dilated veins, as long as they do not cause pain and discomfort, are not a significant problem and, therefore, seeking medical attention is unnecessary. However, this is not true - untreated varicose veins can cause a number of health problems. Therefore, specialists urge men to consult a phlebologist promptly to perform the examinations and recommend the most appropriate therapy, as well as suggest solutions for organising daily life in a manner that does not provoke the further dilatation of veins.

Nowadays, when the options of medical examinations are developing rapidly, a quick and painless examination of veins is offered, which, within a short period of time, provides an answer regarding the seriousness of the problem and the most appropriate treatment.

The ultrasound examination only lasts for 10 to 15 minutes, and the patient receives a detailed explanation of the condition of both superficial and deep veins of the legs during the examination. Upon the evaluation of the received examination results, the doctor recommends the best solution to prevent and reduce the problem for each patient.

Treatment - not just surgery

One thing is clear - if leg veins are dilated, they will not regain their previous condition on their own, so you will have to resort to various medical solutions.

It is possible that the defect will only be cosmetic, not medical, which means that sclerotherapy alone will be sufficient to remove the capillary network. Equally, in cases where the problem has already become medical, but is still in its initial stages, various preventive measures will be sufficient to prevent the development of the condition.

One of them - wearing compression socks on a daily basis. Yes, initially this recommendation could provoke resistance in men, so it is important to know that nowadays manufacturers offer a wide range of compression socks designed specifically for men. The offer includes so-called golf socks, which will fit into the wardrobe of a business man on a daily basis, so that no one will even suspect that they are compression socks. Half-length and even long socks for men can also be purchased, if your doctor finds them necessary.

Those gentlemen, who object to shaving their hair so that the socks with silicone tape hold tightly to their feet, should not be sad - they won't have to do this! The manufacturers have thought about this problem and created a mono sock that is attached to the waist especially for gentlemen. Furthermore, it has an open toe, so it will fit different leg sizes. It is important to know that the choice of sock pressure should be entrusted to a doctor, who will recommend the most suitable pressure for each patient.

In the early stages of varicose veins, it is recommended to supplement the sedentary lifestyle with physical activities before resorting to more radical treatments.

Recommended activities:

• walks,
• cycling,
• Nordic walking,
• swimming.

Not recommended:

• basketball,
• volleyball,
• weightlifting and other sports that cause increased impact and strain on the legs.

However, if the problem of venous insufficiency has developed to the degree where surgery cannot be avoided, the contemporary clinics offer modern treatment options, which enable the patient to return home on the same day and continue their usual active lifestyle shortly.

However, it should be taken into account that new varicose veins may develop in the future, so follow the instructions of your doctor regarding lifestyle and movement regime, be sure to remember about compression socks and monitor the condition of your veins.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash