It takes a special person to be a teacher. They must complete formalized education, demonstrate and perfect their ability through student teaching, and achieve official certification. They have one of the most important jobs of imparting knowledge upon their students while exercising endured patience day in and day out. It may seem odd, but while fulfilling this huge responsibility, teachers are at a high risk of developing varicose and/or spider veins in their legs. Let’s find out why.
The legs are responsible for bearing the majority of your body weight when standing. This pressure combined with the natural force of gravity working against blood flow can be enough to weaken the veins over time and cause the pooling of blood leading to varicose veins. Dilated or swollen blood vessels caused by weakened vein walls or valves are varicose veins. They appear as swollen, twisted clusters of veins and are sometimes accompanied by spider veins. They can surface anywhere in the body but most often appear on the legs. Symptoms include heaviness in the legs, burning or itching around the vein, leg cramps, and swelling of the legs and feet. Here are two reasons why teachers are at an especially high risk of developing varicose veins:
- They stand….a lot! Teachers have to interact with their students, which means a lot of standing and walking. Prolonged periods of standing especially when it occurs repeatedly over time, drastically increases the pressure within the leg veins increasing the likelihood of developing varicose veins.
- They may wear heels while standing (a lot). Male teachers get a pass on this risk factor as they tend to opt for flat shoes or sneakers whereas some female teachers may choose fashion over comfort, which may include wearing heels. The additional strain on the legs and feet from wearing heels can hinder circulation eventually contributing to pooling of blood in the veins
Whether you are a kindergarten teacher or a college professor, odds are you spend a lot of time standing and your risk for varicose veins increases as time goes on. What’s a teacher to do to prevent varicose veins? Wearing flat, comfortable shoes with excellent support is a great place to start. In addition, taking a few minutes to rest with your feet elevated above the heart at the end of the day can help alleviate any pressure and any pooling of blood that has occurred during the day. If possible when teaching, move around the classroom rather than standing in one position and sit when appropriate.
If you are experiencing symptom of varicose veins request a consult with one of Premier Vein Clinic of Knoxville’s experienced vascular surgeons. Treatment has never been easier to regain those beautiful, healthy legs. Call (865) 588-8229 and request an appointment today.