Does Crossing Your Legs Cause Veins?
Written by Dallas Vein Specialists on July 8, 2014
You’ve probably heard the rumor that crossing your legs can cause veins. To be clear: this is an old wives tale. Crossing your legs does not cause varicose or spider veins, nor will it worsen existing veins. There is no scientific evidence that suggests crossing your legs interrupts circulation or affects the blood flow in the veins. Go ahead and cross away!
WHAT ABOUT PROLONGED STANDING?
Some people also question whether prolonged standing can cause veins, and the answer isn’t so clear-cut. Standing generally won’tcause veins, but it can exacerbate existing problems with veins. It may worsen symptoms such as burning, throbbing, itching, cramping and restlessness.
BLAME GENETICS
Visible spider and varicose veins develop due to inherent problems in the veins. When the valves weaken, it affects normal blood flow, which causes a backup of blood that enlarges the veins. Also, the walls of the veins lose elasticity and become stiffer and unable to stretch and shrink the way they should.
The primary risk factor for veins is a genetic predisposition. Many of our patients have a strong family history of varicose veins. If you have the genes, you have a good chance of developing spider and varicose veins.
Other risk factors include hormonal changes, gender, age, being overweight and pregnancy.
ELIMINATE EMBARRASSING VEINS
If you struggle with visible veins, you have a variety of treatment options. The Dallas Vein Specialists team will first try to identify the cause of your veins, then recommend the treatment they feel is best suited to your case. The goal of treatment generally involves closing off the affected vein, which the body will then naturally absorb and/or remove. This could involve injection of a sclerosing agent or laser energy to irreversibly injure the vein and activate the body’s response to remove the vein.
CONTACT OUR PRACTICE TODAY
If you would like more information about our vein treatment options, please contact Dallas Vein Specialists by calling (214) 221-9222 or sending an email.