Aging is a natural and normal part of life. It changes us physically as we start seeing grey hair and wrinkles appear. Unfortunately, it can also mean developing or worsening leg pain, swelling, varicose veins, spider veins, and sleeplessness. It’s important to know what aspects of aging are standard parts of the plan, and what parts are truly avoidable. We’ve identified 4 myths of the aging process that many believe come with the territory. We know they don’t have to.
As we age, it's not uncommon to hear or even tell ourselves that the aches, pains, and fatigue we experience are just part of getting older. Have you ever thought "I'm exhausted and it's just because I'm getting older?" I offer a different perspective that challenges what many of us accept as the inevitable effects of aging. Vein conditions can often be mistaken for normal aging, leading to unnecessary suffering and limitations on our lifestyle.
Here are 4 myths associated with aging that you don't have to live with:
Myth #1: Your Legs Hurt As You Age
There are specific leg problems, attributed to aging, such as varicose or spider veins, swelling, and cramps. These problems may involve vein conditions that are quite treatable. The bottom line is, you don’t have to live with leg pain, no matter your age.
Myth #2: Exhaustion and Fatigue Are A Natural Part of Aging
You shouldn’t feel so exhausted that you have to give up your regular activities. Getting older doesn't mean you have to sit in a rocking chair, knitting, or watching television all day. Being active is vital for health and wellness, even more so after the age of 65. The more you move and do, the better you are going to naturally feel. What many don’t realize is that feeling exhausted and fatigued should not be written off as just old age. They can be symptoms of an underlying and very treatable vein condition.
Myth #3: Daily Physical Activity Is Almost Always Exhausting
You often see Seniors taking the elevator instead of the stairs, resting in a chair instead of playing with grandkids, choosing to stay home instead of a day of walking. However, simple tasks like standing, walking, or even just taking the stairs shouldn’t be an exhausting daily activity…and frankly, don’t have to be. There might be an underlying vein condition or circulation problem that is causing leg pain and fatigue.
Myth #4: All Seniors Experience Trouble Sleeping That Can't Be Improved
Having trouble falling or staying asleep may be a side-effect of certain medications or the result of hormonal changes, but it is often connected to a vein condition in the legs. If you find that leg cramps or muscle pain is causing you to wake up multiple times during the night, it is almost certainly a treatable condition involving your veins. Most commonly with vein conditions, people can sleep but wake up feeling tired. The resulting fatigue affects not just the body, but the ability to think clearly and focus as well as energy and motivation. All the more reason to uncover and deal with an underlying vein condition.
Vein Conditions: The Culprit Behind the Curtain
What many attribute to aging might actually be symptoms of an underlying vein condition. Unlike the gradual adjustments required by normal aging, vein conditions can abruptly halt one's ability to engage in daily activities, from walking and working to performing household chores. I have talked with patients who, after treatment, have seen significant improvements in their ability to stand, walk, and even perform simple tasks like going up and down stairs.
Acknowledging that what you might have thought was just aging could instead be a treatable vein condition is the first step towards reclaiming your active lifestyle. A standing vein reflux ultrasound is the way to sort out whether or not an underlying vein condition is at play and pinpoint any abnormalities.
Rethinking Aging and Activity
It's important to know that you don't have to accept pain and fatigue as inevitable consequences of aging. By distinguishing between the normal aging process and the symptoms of a vein condition you can seek appropriate treatment and continue to lead active, fulfilling lives. If you've been attributing your leg pain or fatigue to aging, it may be time to consider a vein screening. Don't let misconceptions about aging hold you back from enjoying your life to the fullest.
Anxious to take the stairs again or play with your grandkids? Let us bust through the aging obstacles and myths to improve your quality of life. Our patients have experienced dramatic results after treatments - and if you are found to have a vein condition, you can too. There may not be a fountain of youth, but treating a vein problem can feel like the same thing.
