Think varicose veins are a problem reserved for grandmas? Think again. Research has shown that nearly 56 percent of men suffer from varicose veins or venous reflux. The issue isn’t just a cosmetic concern, varicose veins can lead to discomfort stemming from pain or exhausted and heavy-feeling legs.

What happens is that vein valves become damaged or diseased, often due to a genetic predisposition. This leads to a reflux or backward flow in the veins and a buildup of blood in the veins of the legs. The increased pressure causes the veins to become dilated, or varicose, and swell to become noticeable.

Since family history is what makes you most susceptible to the veins, there’s not much you can do to prevent them, but things like exercise, dieting (stay away from salt which leads to fluid retention), and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting can all stall their progression.

Maybe they’ve already shown up, or you’re starting to feel the pain or discomfort and now you’re wondering how to treat varicose veins. Well there are several varicose vein treatment options in Cape May County, Atlantic County, Ocean County and Cumberland County, New Jersey. We know even the toughest of men can be afraid of going under the knife for surgery, so luckily, most of the procedures are non-invasive. If you have any questions about procedures or treatments, call Dr. Jeffrey Gosin at Shore Vascular & Vein Center at (609) 927-VEIN (8346) for more information.