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Taking care of achy, stretched veins by Nancy Gunnells, R.N. Alumna College of Nursing 1980 The MUSC Wellness Wednesday program will focus on medical compression stockings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 5 in the Children’s Hospital lobby.   How do you answer the following questions? Does your job require standing or sitting for extended periods of time? Do your ankles swell in the afternoon after a long day at work? Do you have a family history of vein disease? Do you experience tingling, numbness, burning or cramping in your feet or legs? Do you have discoloration of your skin or open sores on your lower leg? If you answered yes to any of the above questions then you could be one of many Americans who may be at risk for vein disease. One out of every three Americans 45 and older has some form of vein disease. A total of 80 million Americans suffer from circulatory problems in their legs.   Vein disease occurs when your body’s veins have trouble carrying blood from your legs back to your heart. Your calf muscles help push oxygen-depleted blood in your thin-walled veins from your feet back to your heart. The pumping action of the calf muscles cannot determine which direction your blood flows in these thin- walled veins. In a properly functioning vein, tiny one-way valves open and close, moving blood up the legs toward your heart. Overstretching and distention from constant pressure of vein walls can cause permanent damage. As a result of this damage, valves may no longer close properly, allowing blood to flow back down to your lower extremities. Poor circulation, leg pain and permanent vein damage are likely to occur.   When your veins fail, the most common forms of damage are varicose and spider veins. Except in hereditary weakness, damage starts in smaller veins and  slowly moves to damage larger veins. However, not all vein damage is visible. You may have vein problems with noticeable symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the feet and ankles, swelling at the end of the day, or leg pain after a long day on your feet. If these symptoms are ignored, it could lead to more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, leg ulcers, and edema.   Hidden vein damage can also occur during pregnancy. The demands of the fetus dramatically affect blood flow. The increased blood volume and hormones weaken and stretch veins. The additional blood pressure from being pregnant can cause permanent damage to valves and vein walls. Veins may return to normal after the baby’s birth. However, frequently the vein walls are permanently stretched and damaged.   Once our veins are damaged, they cannot repair themselves. The key is to protect your veins before more damage occurs. If your job requires long periods of standing or sitting, there are some tips to help take care of your veins: Stimulate the muscles in your legs by trying to walk around as often as possible. Avoid crossing your legs. Elevate your feet as much as possible. Simple exercises while you work such as: Support yourself with your hands on a table, chair, or wall and then stand on your tip toes and lower yourself down again. Repeat up to 20 times. Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Avoid wearing tightfitting undergarments and clothes. Ask your doctor if graduated compression stockings are appropriate for you. These compression stockings actually help your veins pump blood towards your heart to prevent further vein wall damage. These stockings can increase your energy level, reduce swelling, and help those achy veins. A complete line of compression stockings can be found at Floyd Brace Company. Medical compression stockings should only be worn after consulting with a doctor and under a doctor’s prescription.   For more information, call 722-8827. Visit the display table located in the lobby of the Children’s Hospital during Wellness Wednesday July 5 and register for the drawing of a 20 inch color television. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health First. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA, and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.     Friday, June 30, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.