Vein disease is more common than you think.

According to the Johns Hopkins Heart & Vascular Institute, vein disease is quite common, as it affects about 15 percent of Americans -- and it's not without its risks. Vein disease, while typically not a serious health threat, can seriously hinder a person's everyday life via swelling, pain, and unsightly varicose veins. They say health is wealth, and if you can't live life doing the things you love because of vein pain or swelling, you're being robbed.

Not only is it preventable, but it's also treatable.

Of course, it should be noted that, like many other conditions, vein disease can lead to larger, life-threatening conditions, so it's always advisable to see your health provider even if you feel like it's manageable.

Now that we've got that out of the way, let's talk about prevention!

Typically, vein disease affects women more often than it does men. This can be the result of a variety of different factors like genetics, pregnancy, or menopause, and those are all out of your control. However, what you can do is exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet that prevents constipation.

You've probably heard that a sedentary lifestyle can lead to many different types of diseases, and it's true, but straining to go to the bathroom is actually one of the leading causes of varicosities – at least, according to Andrew Weil M.D. So it's important to maintain a diet that's friendly to your G.I. system.

Weil also mentioned that grape seed oil is commonly prescribed in France due to an antioxidant compound called oligomeric proanthocyanidins, which has shown in animal and lab studies to help blood vessels remain elastic, thus reducing the chance of rigid or leaky blood vessels that are typically seen in patients with vein disease. 

For complete treatment and to learn more, seek out your local vein specialist or talk to your health care provider about minimally invasive options.