Varicose veins act as a prevalent condition affecting nearly 30% of the population worldwide. Twisted or bulged veins may appear in the extremities of the body such as legs, ankles and feet. Factors such as obesity, genetics, hormonal variations and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to developing varicose veins. Sometimes diet and exercise play a role too. Recent studies suggest that iron plays a vital role in varicose veins. So, are people with iron deficiency more likely to develop varicose veins?
Iron deficiency or anaemia is a condition where a lower number of red blood cells are produced. This results in reduced oxygen transportation since RBCs are responsible for transporting oxygen. Proper blood flow is needed for maintaining proper venous health. For this reason, it is believed that iron deficiency may lead to developing varicose veins.
This article details the relationship between iron levels in the body and venous health and whether people with iron deficiency are more likely to develop varicose veins.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are also known as twisted or bulged veins. They develop in the extremities of the body, such as legs and feet. Sometimes they can also develop in the genitals, rectum and anus.
Women, especially pregnant women, are at a higher risk of developing varicose veins due to hormonal changes. Older populations are also at a risk of developing venous insufficiency as advancing age can lead to reduced health and elasticity of blood vessels, especially veins.
Varicose veins form when blood pools or accumulates in the veins.
Veins are blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart. Transportation of blood, particularly from legs and feet can be difficult since the veins have to work against gravity to transport blood.
Vein valves ensure proper blood transport through the veins in a single direction. Sometimes, veins may not function properly and fail to allow blood movement. This results in blood accumulating within the vein.
As the blood accumulates, the veins start swelling and changing color, giving them a swollen and twisted appearance. Lack of blood flow through those veins also deprives them and the surrounding areas of nutrition and oxygen, resulting in other complications, such as skin changes. The body’s defense mechanisms trigger inflammation and allergy-like reactions in the affected area.
People suffering from varicose veins may experience symptoms such as pain, heaviness, inflammation and discomfort. Skin changes such as irritation, redness, sensitivity, skin discolouration and skin hardening are also common.
While venous insufficiency is mostly lifestyle-related, hormones and genetic factors may also influence this condition. Proper diet, exercise and lifestyle changes may help get relief from varicose veins and its symptoms.
What is Iron Deficiency?
Iron is a vital mineral in the human body that helps transport oxygen and maintain cell health. It helps to regulate the body’s immune system metabolism.
Iron is an important part of haemoglobin, a component in the red blood cells or RBCs. Deficiency of iron leads to iron deficiency anemia, which can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, brittle nails and reduced appetite.
Iron deficiency may occur due to poor eating habits where the individual is not consuming sufficient iron-rich foods. Blood loss due to heavy bleeding or menstruation can cause anaemia. Individuals suffering from conditions such as celiac disease may face malabsorption issues and suffer from nutritional deficiencies such as iron deficiency.
Role of Iron in The Circulatory System
Iron plays a vital role in the functioning of the circulatory system and is counted among the essential minerals. A deficiency of iron levels leads to anaemia, a condition that may need medications, along with dietary modifications to correct the condition.
Here are some of the important ways in which iron contributes to the functioning of the circulatory system.
Oxygen Transport
Iron is an important component of haemoglobin, a protein present in RBC which carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
Muscle Function
Iron is also an important component of myoglobin, a protein that is present in muscles. Myoglobin stores oxygen and uses it for muscle activity and ensures that the muscles receive adequate enough oxygen for functioning and producing energy.
RBC Production
Iron is essential for adequate RBC production. RBCs are essential for carrying oxygen to all the parts of the body.
Heart Health
Iron helps maintain blood pressure and a healthy heart. It also helps regulate the metabolic activity of the cardiovascular system and meet the high energy demands needed for the functioning of the heart.
In short, iron is essential for the proper functioning of the circulatory system. Deficiency of iron can affect the circulatory system in many ways and lead to the development of diseases of the circulatory system such as atherosclerosis, aneurysm and heart attack and venous diseases such as venous insufficiency, varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.
Are People With Iron Deficiency More Likely to Develop Varicose Veins?
We know that iron deficiency can lead to diseases related to the circulatory system. But how does this deficiency manifest to cause varicose veins?
Let us first understand the relation between iron deficiency and varicose veins.
Iron Deficiency And Varicose Veins
Iron deficiency and varicose veins are considered mutually independent health conditions but can often overlap due to blood circulation and viscosity being an influencing factor in both the cases.
Iron deficiency occurs when the body doesn’t have enough iron reserves to produce enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen to various parts of the body. Iron deficiency anaemia can cause dizziness, weakness, reduced appetite and shortness of breath.
Inadequate intake of iron through diet, malabsorption issues, heavy bleeding during menstruation, gastrointestinal bleeding can all contribute to iron deficiency.
Varicose veins are a condition where veins swell or bulge due to the accumulation of blood. Vein walls or valves may sometimes malfunction causing blood to stay within the veins and not move back to the heart as it is supposed to.
Genetics, hormonal disturbances, age, sedentary lifestyle and prolonged standing and sitting can contribute to varicose veins.
Connection Between Iron Deficiency And Varicose Veins
Here are a few ways in which iron deficiency may cause individuals to develop varicose veins or worsen the condition among those already suffering from the condition.
Fatigue
Anaemia leads to fatigue and tiredness causing individuals to exercise less and lead a more sedentary lifestyle. Lack of energy or inclination to exercise or move around will cause them to spend more time at one place.
A sedentary lifestyle or prolonged standing and sitting is a a major contributor to varicose veins. Activity and movement cause the vein to contract and push blood towards the heart.
Lack of activity means that there are no contractions to encourage blood flow, blood may pool up in the veins causing the development of varicose veins.
The risk of anaemia leading to varicose veins is higher for those with a genetic predisposition to the condition or a family history of venous insufficiency,
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal variations are another important cause of varicose veins. This is why women are at a higher risk of developing varicose veins compared to men.
Women face hormonal fluctuations most of their life during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause.
Some research studies suggest that low levels of estrogen may block iron absorption by the body leading to iron deficiency anaemia.
Hormonal imbalances may negatively affect the elasticity of the vein walls or valves, weaken them and result in the development of varicose veins.
Oxygen Supply
Iron deficiency anaemia happens due to low haemoglobin levels in the blood which cause limited oxygen supply to the blood cells in the body. This may lead to various symptoms such as fatigue.
One of the symptoms associated with venous insufficiency is that the tissues and the area surrounding the affected veins get damaged due to less oxygen supply fuelled by low blood circulation in the area.
Conditions such as anaemia further deplete the oxygen transporting capacity of haemoglobin and contribute to worsening of the condition.
Those suffering from severe varicose veins may experience venous ulcers which are open wounds. Iron deficiency anaemia may worsen the healing process due to low oxygen supply and cause bleeding from the ulcers while slowing down the healing process.
Chronic Blood Loss
Chronic blood loss can lead to iron deficiency anaemia. Anaemia can lead to low oxygen supply slowing down healing in tissues.
In the context of varicose veins, especially in severe cases or ulcers and open wounds, constant bleeding from the wounds and ulcers can cause iron to deplete further.
This can lead to worsening of anaemia and varicose veins and further slowdown of wound healing, all of them getting into a vicious circle.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the blood volume doubles in order to support the advancing pregnancy and the growing fetus.
This increased blood flow and the growing uterus put significant pressure on the blood vessels heightening the risk of developing varicose veins.
Inadequate iron intake during pregnancy to meet the increasing dietary requirements can increase the risk of anaemia which can worsen the varicose veins formation and spreading.
Nutrition
A balanced diet that includes all the necessary nutrients including iron is essential to avoid anaemia and varicose veins.
Iron rich diet is essential to ensure proper oxygen and nutrient supply to blood vessels while a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals is essential to curb venous insufficiency.
A diet high in saturated fats, salt, sugar, processed foods, deep fried foods and junk may significantly contribute to the worsening of both anaemia and varicose veins, one condition leading to another.
Poor dietary habits, a sedentary lifestyle and hormonal changes influence both varicose veins and iron deficiency. Fatigue from iron deficiency anemia can hamper oxygen supply to the tissues, preventing nutrition and oxygen from reaching the affected varicose vein areas. This in turn affects wound and tissue healing and may worsen varicose veins.
To sum up, people with iron deficiency are more likely to develop varicose veins. To resolve these conditions, a balanced diet, regular exercising, targeted treatments for both iron deficiency and varicose veins must be incorporated into the individual’s routine.
With these interventions, individuals can correct the iron deficiency and manage varicose veins, thus working towards improving their overall health and wellness.
FAQs
Can low iron cause varicose veins?
Low iron and varicose veins are conditions that are often independent of each other. However, symptoms of one condition may aggravate the other. For example, constant bleeding from ulcers may cause depletion of iron levels, which may in turn aggravate the existing varicose vein condition. Similarly, low iron levels may reduce the oxygen supply which may hamper varicose vein healing.
What causes poor absorption of iron?
Poor absorption of iron can occur due to multiple factors such as digestive disturbances that cause malabsorption, genetic conditions and certain medications. Celiac diseases, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and H.pylori infection may interfere with nutrient absorption. Antacids are also known to interfere with iron absorption.
How to fix poor iron absorption?
Poor iron absorption can be fixed by increasing Vitamin C intake in the diet. While increasing iron intake, you can simultaneously include vitamin C rich foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, peppers and tomatoes.
What are the signs of varicose veins?
Varicose veins refer to swollen, twisted or bulged veins that result from blood pool up in the veins. In most cases, varicose veins may not cause symptoms. Common symptoms include pain, inflammation, heaviness, and discomfort in legs, ankles and feet. Skin changes such as rashes, irritation, discolouration, sores, itchiness and skin hardening are also varicose veins symptoms.
What are the signs of iron deficiency anaemia?
Signs of iron deficiency anaemia include fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, pale skin and shortness of breath. Headache and dizziness are often seen. Additional symptoms include brittle nails, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.