Teachers, cops, salesmen more likely to develop varicose veins

Obsessed with high-heels, Seema, a model, started wearing them from the age of 13.

Obsessed with high-heels, Seema, a model, started wearing them from the age of 13.

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By the time the Malabar Hill resident turned 40, the veins on her calves were visibly enlarged and had protruding clusters, which were very painful.

Seema was diagnosed as suffering from varicose veins. In October, a laser surgery at a south Mumbai clinic brought her some relief.

Jeenal (50), a teacher with an Andheri school, also endured acute pain in her calves owing to varicose veins for over 30 years. Standing for long hours while teaching caused the condition.

Increasing number of professionals including teachers, doctors, policemen, advocates, and salesmen — all of whom require long hours of being on their feet — have been filing into clinics of vascular surgeons to get a cure for this painful condition. According to doctors, teachers and policemen comprise the largest pool among their patients.

Varicose veins, caused due to poor blood circulation for prolonged periods, are also common among women post-pregnancy.

Dr Shoaib F Padaria, an interventional cardiologist with Jaslok Hospital, Peddar Road, has pioneered a laser surgery cure for varicose veins in India. He said the number of patients visiting him in past seven years has jumped.

“In 2003, when I introduced the laser treatment, I treated 63 patients. This year, I have treated 800 fresh patients.”

Figures coming from other vascular surgeons also indicated a rise in the number of patients taking treatment for varicose veins. Somaya’s patients have doubled in past three years.

Dr Pankaj Patel, a vascular surgeon with Lilavati Hospital too has seen a threefold increase in the number of patients over the past five years. Doctors blame poor posture and unhealthy lifestyles for the rising incidence of varicose veins. (Patients’ names have been changed to protect their identities)