Why it’s not always smart to cross your legs

Dear Rissa,

I really love your column because I learn a lot from it. So I hope you could help me with my problem. How do I get rid of my varicose veins (if that’s what you call them)? The veins are not on my legs – they are on my feet. Help me, please! - Abhee

Dear Abhee,

Varicose veins are caused by valves failing to produce normal blood flow back to the heart. People with a genetic predisposition to them usually have varicose veins, but there are many factors which put extra strain on the valves and cause the varicose veins to worsen:

• Pregnancy, which increases blood flow to the pelvic veins and slows its return to the heart;

• Lack of exercise;

• Increasing age;

• Being overweight;

• Standing up for long periods of time, or staying motionless with legs hanging down.

To prevent your varicose veins from worsening, don’t cross your legs or ankles, or wear any constricting clothing – especially below the waist. Get up and move around frequently. Especially helpful exercises are cycling, swimming, jogging and running, which all stimulate leg circulation and muscle tone. If you have to stand for some time, rock from heel to toe and flex your muscles. Rest your legs higher than your heart whenever you can, and put a box under your desk to rest your feet on. Support tights or stockings can help stimulate blood flow back to the heart and reduce aching. Varicose veins can be treated with sclerotherapy so that they disappear. Sclerotherapy involves injection of a chemical fluid into the blood vessels to close them up. Damaged veins can also be surgically removed.