January 20, 2006 - published by First, the magazine for women on the go

So was Josephine Donovan, until she learned the startling truth - that a common circulation snafu was to blame for the leaden fatigue she felt constantly. Tiredness so severe that she couldn't even rally for the New Year's Eve blowout that her family threw every year. In fact, it was tough just keeping herself awake long enough to watch the ball drop on TV. Here, the discovery that allowed her to regain her vitality and reclaim her life.

As I entered my mid-thirties, and especially after giving birth to my two children I began to experience extreme fatigue, achy legs and memory brownouts. Lab tests came back normal and my symptoms were chalked up, both by doctors and myself, to a full family life and a heavy workload.

But a vicious cycle ensued, in which the more tired and uncomfortable I felt, the more sedentary, withdrawn, frustrated and down on myself I became. It got to the point where my listlessness seemed never ending and I was complaining all the time, especially to my poor husband.

My kids felt it too. I was not the participatory mother I would have liked to have been. More often than I care to admit I'd wave a forlorn good-bye from the couch as my husband took the kids to the mall or roller skating.

Still, even as I grew more and more withdrawn for sheer lack of energy, I figured (and most people I talked to agreed) that it was the norm for a mom who was stretched too thin. And besides, I had another tangible health concern that I felt I could fix, so I focused on that instead.

"I sought professional help, but nothing worked."
Although I have fairly nice legs, their appearance had always been marred by unattractive bluish and reddish spider veins everywhere. It was so bad that in my twenties (much to my chagrin) I was even dubbed "Spider Woman" by my friends. And the veins had only become more pronounced and painful following my two pregnancies.

I had tried home remedies, including support hose, Epsom salt soaks and vitamin K. In the summer, I resorted to applying thick layers of goopy leg makeup. I even sought out professional cosmetic treatments such as sclerotherapy (injecting a chemical into the vein to close it off). But for every vein that was removed, two new ones would soon crop up.

So I made an appointment with a highly recommended vascular surgeon to see once and for all what could be done for my legs.

"Finally. I knew it wasn't just 'Mommy syndrome.'"
I was surprised when the vein specialist asked me not just about my legs but my overall health as well. No doctor had ever discussed my vein problem as anything other than a cosmetic concern. He explained that varicose veins were the most common symptom of a condition called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which is marked by poor blood flow.

I also learned that, while this condition can exist even without varicose veins, the legs can be dramatically affected because they are so far from the heart, which is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. I also found out that a lack of sufficient oxygenated blood to the brain could result in fatigue and fuzzy thinking. So I can get my energy back! I thought.

And when the doctor said that genetics, pregnancy and inactivity play a role, a light went of in my head: My mom also had large glue-green veins on her legs and was often too exhausted to participate in much more than the basics of funning the household. Suddenly, all the pieces of my health puzzle seemed to be coming together!

"One positive change led to another!"
The doctor performed a "deep vein" procedure called an endovenous laser ablation, which used a catheter of laser fiber to collapse the problematic veins. Almost immediately, my symptoms - both cosmetic and physical - improved dramatically.

The physician suggested further boosting vascular health by being more active, drinking more water, eating fruits and vegetables and limiting caffeine intake. While I initially balked at any regimen being added to my already busy day, I began to feel so good about my great-looking legs and newfound energy that one positive change led to the next. I started walking, riding my exercise bicycle and participating in my children's activities.

I also no longer incessantly complain to my husband. I was too busy dancing with him, like we did at our last New Year's Even party - our biggest and best yet!

The surprising link between veins and constant fatigue

Up to 30 million American women have a mild form of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), sluggish circulation that impairs blood flow to the heart and brain, bringing on fatigue and light-headedness. "And leg veins are most prone to CVI because they're fighting the hardest against gravity to pump blood upward," explains Michael Kassouf, M.D., a vascular surgeon in New York City. Fortunately, the simple but effective dietary adjustments below can help remedy mild CVI and restore energy.

Boost energizing blood flow with blueberries.
Anti-inflammatory bio flavonoids improve vein elasticity to increase blood flow in the extremities, a recent study finds. Blueberries and red bell peppers are rich sources that also contain vitamin C, an antioxidant that enhances bioflavonoids' vein-healthy effects.

Fortify veins with horse chestnut.
Escin, an anti-inflammatory compound in horse chestnut, is as effective as support stockings in relieving varicose vein swelling, according to the journal The Lancet.


HOW VARICOSE VEINS HINDER BLOOD FLOW: As veins weaken and lose elasticity, they widen and bulge. This allows blood to flow in the wrong direction, away from the heart.