Let’s Dispel Some Myths about Veins

There are a lot of simple misunderstandings and inaccurate information about veins. Vein myths, if you will. It’s our duty as the vein professionals to correct these mistakes and tell you the truth about what goes on in those little veins of yours.

Vein Myths: Clearing Things Up

Spider Veins is just another name for varicose veins

We’ve heard people use these two interchangeably. People take one look at their vein disease, whatever it may be, and be quick to call them spider veins. This is just isn’t accurate. Spider veins and varicose veins can both be caused by similar things, but they really couldn’t be further apart in what they are.

Spider veins are smaller, flatter, and either red or purple. Varicose veins are much larger and they bulge out of the skin. Spider veins can usually go untreated and be okay, but varicose veins do require some form of vein treatments, since they are very uncomfortable.

Veins are blue… blood is blue…

This one is probably the most familiar to everyone. At some point, we were likely told that our veins are blue for a number of reasons. The first one is that blood is blue until it becomes oxygenated. While there is some truth to this, the fact is blood is never blue—just different shades of red.

Similarly, veins are never blue. The reason they can sometimes appear blue is because the amount of light hitting the veins only allows for some color to come out. Those colors tend to be cooler colors like blue and purple. The reality is, your veins are red… very red.

Varicose veins are a woman’s issue

While pregnancy can make varicose veins a whole lot worse, the truth is that varicose veins appear in men too. In fact, about 56% of men suffer from varicose veins. Genetics play a huge role in the appearance of varicose veins, so your sex doesn’t necessarily have much to say about it.

Exercising can make vein disease worse

A lot of those who suffer from varicose veins will not go to the gym out of fear of making it worse. The truth is, it will actually help them. If you’re looking for an excuse to not go into the gym, try something else—because exercise is good for your veins, as well as your overall health.

We’re all about educating everyone on the importance of vein health and spreading the truth. So avoid vein myths at all costs. Visit Las Vegas Urgent Care to get a checkup from the Carullos.