Doctor Eston Wenger

Dec 30, 2022 | From the Desk of Dr. Eston Wenger of Premier Surgical Cleveland

Alcohol and Vein Health

Would you be surprised to learn that during the cold winter months alcohol consumption increases? Some reasons for the spike in imbibing at this time of year could be due to added stress during the holidays, seasonal depression, additional celebrating, or boredom from being inside so much. But those who are predisposed to venous insufficiency, whether from genetics, gender, or lifestyle, might want to think twice before reaching for a drink. While alcohol consumption does not cause varicose veins, for those already predisposed to venous insufficiency, drinking could increase the likelihood of their development.

In a healthy circulatory system, blood travels from your heart through your veins delivering oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. The vein valves in your legs pump the depleted blood back up to your heart where it is loaded back up with oxygen and nutrients and the cycle starts over.

But how does drinking too much alcohol affect your vein health?

Too much alcohol consumption can increase your blood pressure. If you are predisposed to venous insufficiency, increased blood pressure can strain and weaken the vein valves in your legs making them unable to sufficiently pump your blood back up to your heart. As the blood pools in your legs, varicose veins can form. If you already suffer from varicose veins, the added blood pressure from drinking can lead to an increase in swelling and pain.

During the cold winter months, it can feel harder to take care of yourself, but if you are predisposed to varicose veins there are easy ways that you can be proactive about your vein health. One way is to recognize the impact that alcohol consumption could have on your veins and make changes to limit your intake of alcoholic beverages.

And, as always, Vein Specialist Dr. Eston Wenger is here to help. If you have questions about your vein health or want to seek treatment for spider veins or varicose veins, contact Dr. Eston Wenger to set up an appointment at Premier Surgical Associates of Cleveland, TN, at (423) 472-5423 or click here to request an appointment online.

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