Holiday Travel Plans? Why You Shouldn't Ignore Painful Varicose Veins

Whether you're traveling by car, boat, or plane for your holiday, one thing you shouldn't forget is taking care of your painful varicose veins. Sitting for long periods can make the problem worse and put you at risk for more serious forms of vein disease.

At Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, board-certified general surgeon Dr. John Bollins and our team diagnose and treat varicose veins at our three Northern Minnesota offices. We want your holidays to be joyful, which is why we're chiming in with tips on caring for your varicose veins while you're traveling, so you'll have no problems.

What is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)?

CVI is the initial stage of vein disease. Your circulatory system is composed of arteries that take oxygenated blood from the heart and deliver it to your body's tissues. Veins take deoxygenated blood from the tissues and return it to the heart. Veins have to pump blood against gravity, so they need some help.

One way they work around the problem is by having the thigh and calf muscles contract around the veins, forcing the blood forward. A second way is by the use of one-way valves along the blood's path. If the valves become damaged and can't close all the way, though, blood can flow backward and pool in the vein.

If the damage and pooling occur in superficial veins —those close to the surface of the skin —you see the characteristic protuberances of varicose veins.

What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein in the leg. There are two major risk factors for developing DVT: having varicose veins and sitting for long periods of time, like when you're traveling.

Leg clots are dangerous for two reasons. The first is that they make the already sluggish blood flow more sluggish or block it altogether if the clot is big enough. That means your heart has to work harder to get around the problem.

The second is that part or all of the clot can break free from the vein wall and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. If it lodges in an airway, it could prevent you from breathing. This is known as a pulmonary embolism, and it's a life-threatening emergency.

Mitigating problems for your holiday travel plans

If you're planning to travel for the holidays, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of complications from vein disease.

Talk to your doctor

Let Dr. Bollins know that you're planning to travel, and ask if he has any recommendations about how to travel safely with varicose veins, especially if you're flying. He can develop a game plan for you that considers your health.

Have the right information

Make sure you have the following pieces of information:

Contact information for a doctor or medical center near where you’ll be staying
Access to your medical records online
Up-to-date immunization records

You should also have a wallet card with medications you take and any known allergies.

Choose the right clothing

Wearing comfortable shoes and compression socks can make your travels safer, especially if you're flying for more than 8 hours or 3,100 miles or driving for long periods. Elevate your feet above your heart to reduce the risk of blood clots.

Move around

If you're on a plane, try to get up at least every 2 hours to stretch or use the bathroom. If you're driving, hit a rest stop every two hours to walk around a bit and get the blood flowing.

Stay hydrated

Carry a water bottle, and take periodic sips. The water dilutes your blood and makes it flow more freely, helping keep you from becoming dehydrated.

If you're interested in more tips for traveling with varicose veins, or if you're seeking treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bollins by calling our office in Hibbing, Duluth, or Ely, Minnesota, or book your appointment online.

We proudly accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, HealthPartners, Humana, UCare, and Medica.