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Varicose veins and running?

guest — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:42:03 GMT

I'm 26 now. I recently quit smoking (one or two cigerrettes in a day). I was diagnosed with varicose veins and varicoseceal (3rd grade). I underwent surgery for the varicoseal. I run like 4 to 6 miles 3 times in a week and I recently ran 9 miles (4 miles- 10 mins rest - 5 miles). On the next day i found i little more varicose veins on my inside of the leg( below knee) it is even little warm that day. I'm worried about this. I don't want to quit running and I want to make a marathon. Please help me. Thank god winter is coming and they wont look really aweful. I appreciate any help and advice.

Re: Varicose veins and running?

guest — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 12:08:13 GMT

Something I just noticed this weekend, as a matter of fact. I ran Saturday, then came home, showered and put on a bathing suit. I met my dd for a swim at the beach, and we both checked each other out. We both noticed that this one varicose vein I have behind my right knee is much less noticable. She even asked if I had rollerbladed - because the knee pads I wear could compress it. So, I am of the "running made mine better" camp.

I also have a good friend who showed me his leg on a Sunday, after a run. Said maybe a torn muscle? Swollen and warm to the touch. He was an avid runner. He went to bed and never woke up. His wife said cause of death was a blood clot in the calf. Do not ignore symptoms!

Re: Varicose veins and running?

guest — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 00:28:57 GMT

I'm 53, with small red veins plus a couple of blue bulgy ones. This year I started running for the first time in my life, and I've noticed that the veins actually got slightly better in the past few months.

Here's hoping it helps yours, too.

Estrellista

Re: Varicose veins and running?

guest — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:00:04 GMT

You guys are so awesome! Thank you so much for the advice and comments Can't wait to get started contributing to this awesome forum.

Re: Varicose veins and running?

guest — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 10:25:19 GMT

I'll throw in my 2 cents. Could it be that you are converting fat to muscle (yea!) and they are becoming more visible? I havn't lost a pound since I started running in February but I have lost 3% body fat. (Clothes are looser). Also red flags are hot sore veins with redness around them or if the vein feels like a firm cord, can be lumpy stright to the Doc do not pass go do not collect $200.00

Re: Varicose veins and running?

guest — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:32:11 GMT

I'll add to cooldown after a long run, even if it's just walking. Omega 3 pills help too (fish,flax or algae)

Re: Varicose veins and running?

guest — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:19:01 GMT

That's a possibility too. But it only happens to one leg - the one with the veins. They are very visible. The thought came from something I read that said they can result in problems with circulation in the underlying muscles, wherein the veins dilate but the valves don't function properly, so blood doesn't get returned to the heart as it should.

On the other hand . . .

Dear Dr. Mirkin: Is exercise harmful for a person with varicose veins?

No; in fact, a regular exercise program may be the most effective treatment for varicose veins. Veins are supposed to contain valves that keep blood from backing up. When the valves cannot close properly, veins become varicose, blood backs up and causes the veins to widen and look like blue snakes underneath the skin. Since varicose veins swell because blood pools in them, the best treatment is to empty blood from the veins. When you exercise, your leg muscles alternately contract and relax, squeezing blood toward the heart. Running, walking, cycling, skiing, skating and dancing are ideal treatments, while standing or sitting increase blood pooling and widen the veins. People with varicose veins should not stand around for a long time. You should wear support hose when you stand or walk slowly, but you don't need them when you exercise.

Varicose veins are caused by a genetic weakness in the valves or an obstruction of blood flow, which may be caused by obesity, pregnancy, tumors, clots or heart disease. Superficial varicose veins that you can see can cause a feeling of heaviness or aching, but they are rarely painful. If you hate the way large veins look, a surgeon can remove them, but most varicose veins are best left alone. Special injections and laser burning remove only small veins.

Len

Re: Varicose veins and running?

guest — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:40:47 GMT

could that be that you are lifting your toes higher than your usual running style causing pain in the muscle etc at the front of the leg?

Iv had that problem before through hiking/walking etc

Varicose veins can cause some pain but they are usually very noticable by then.

Re: Varicose veins and running?

guest — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:23:33 GMT

Mine definitely look like slightly bluish blobs, a couple inches below the knee. I can imagine on a woman's leg they would be really unsightly. Not so much on a man's leg.

I should elaborate on the pain. I always considered it "shin splints", now I'm not so sure. It would happen when I was pushing the pace (i.e. racing), would start after about 1 mile, and end at about 3 miles. And it wouldn't bother me for the rest of the race - up to half-marathon distance. I never went fast enough in a marathon to trigger it.

Len

Re: Varicose veins and running?

guest — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:23:02 GMT

Thank you!! Will check that out!

As regards for the veins being swollen, I did see the doctor this morning and he didn't seem that concerned at all - he did check to see if I was swelling behind the knee too or anywhere else on my legs, but I wasn't