Ask Dr. Lisa

Varicose veins run in my family. How can I avoid them?

Prevention is tough because heredity does increase your risk. But so do being sedentary and standing all day, two things you have some control over. Veins enlarge and twist when blood pools instead of flows. Working out can improve circulation, keeping veins healthy. You can also wear compression stockings to prevent veins from weakening if you're on your feet a lot. Should you get varicose veins anyway, don't despair: There are treatments like laser therapy and sclerotherapy injections.

Lisa Callahan, M.D., is the author of The Fitness Factor (The Lyons Press). Write to drlisa@self.com.