Preventing Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are something no one wants, but millions of Americans are suffering from them right now. Contrary to what many people believe, varicose veins are not just a cosmetic problem. They can cause more serious health complications. Many people have spider veins, but these are a less severe form of varicose veins. Spider veins look like varicose veins. They have the same reddish or bluish color. They stick up to the skin's surface the way varicose veins do. However, spider veins are closer to the surface of the skin, and they are just a cosmetic concern. Varicose veins, however, can lead to serious complications and can even be life-threatening, if left untreated. As with all medical conditions, prevention is the best form of defense.
Exercise regularly
Blood needs to move ... and so do you. Routine exercise gets the blood flowing through the body, and that's just what your body needs to improve circulation in the legs. Taking a brisk, 20-minute walk four to five times a week is an excellent way to reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, circulatory problems, and varicose veins. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and proper diet will keep the pressure off leg veins that can often lead to varicose veins.
Change your clothes
You wouldn't normally think that changing your clothes can prevent disease, but in this case it sure can. The fact is that high heels and tight clothes can be a big factor in developing varicose veins and other circulation issues. High heels and tight-fitting pants, especially around the waist, can restrict proper blood flow in the legs. Opt for lower heels and looser-fitting pants that help blood circulate through the legs properly. If you're beginning to feel heaviness or discomfort in the legs, try wearing compression hose that can help to support good circulation.
Take a load off
Winston Churchill once said, "Why stand when you can sit?" This is great advice! Prolonged standing puts undue pressure on the legs that weakens veins, and weakened veins lead to poor circulation. Take a seat, and take the load off your legs for a while. If your job requires you to stand for long periods of time, change positions frequently. Additionally, rather than standing in one place, try moving around a little to get the blood flowing.
Kick your feet up
As long as you're sitting down, you might as well sit back and relax! Elevating your legs is a great way to help take pressure off the legs and avoid poor circulation. You might even want to try an inversion table, as this can further aid in increasing blood flow, and that can help to prevent varicose veins and blood clots.
Put that cigarette away
Is there a medical condition that cigarettes aren't a factor in? The answer? No. Because cigarettes block your body from absorbing vital nutrients you need to live a healthy life, they can lead to just about any health problem, including poor circulation and varicose veins. Smoking cessation is a given for preventing circulatory problems that can lead to varicose veins.
Better birth control
Birth control pills that have a high level of estrogen have been proven to increase circulation problems and varicose veins. They also are a known risk factor in blood clots. Additionally, hormone replacement can lead to varicose veins. If you're taking birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy, talk to your doctor about other options.
Seek medical treatment
For varicose veins that are already causing pain, talk to your doctor about varicose vein treatment options that can improve your circulation. Laser surgery, vein stripping, Sclerotherapy and other treatments can help to relieve the pain, discomfort, and further progression of spider or varicose veins.
Varicose veins are a medical condition that can result in serious medical problems. They are a sign of poor circulation, and they should be treated if they're causing pain or other symptoms. Of course, it's much better to work now to prevent varicose veins, than to have to deal with their development later. Lifestyles changes can be key in preventing the formation of varicose veins. If you're a Northern New Jerseyan suffering from pain, heaviness in the legs, or any other symptom of enlarged veins, you should contact your doctor for more information about how to prevent varicose veins and other circulatory problems.
Exercise regularly
Blood needs to move ... and so do you. Routine exercise gets the blood flowing through the body, and that's just what your body needs to improve circulation in the legs. Taking a brisk, 20-minute walk four to five times a week is an excellent way to reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, circulatory problems, and varicose veins. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and proper diet will keep the pressure off leg veins that can often lead to varicose veins.
Change your clothes
You wouldn't normally think that changing your clothes can prevent disease, but in this case it sure can. The fact is that high heels and tight clothes can be a big factor in developing varicose veins and other circulation issues. High heels and tight-fitting pants, especially around the waist, can restrict proper blood flow in the legs. Opt for lower heels and looser-fitting pants that help blood circulate through the legs properly. If you're beginning to feel heaviness or discomfort in the legs, try wearing compression hose that can help to support good circulation.
Take a load off
Winston Churchill once said, "Why stand when you can sit?" This is great advice! Prolonged standing puts undue pressure on the legs that weakens veins, and weakened veins lead to poor circulation. Take a seat, and take the load off your legs for a while. If your job requires you to stand for long periods of time, change positions frequently. Additionally, rather than standing in one place, try moving around a little to get the blood flowing.
Kick your feet up
As long as you're sitting down, you might as well sit back and relax! Elevating your legs is a great way to help take pressure off the legs and avoid poor circulation. You might even want to try an inversion table, as this can further aid in increasing blood flow, and that can help to prevent varicose veins and blood clots.
Put that cigarette away
Is there a medical condition that cigarettes aren't a factor in? The answer? No. Because cigarettes block your body from absorbing vital nutrients you need to live a healthy life, they can lead to just about any health problem, including poor circulation and varicose veins. Smoking cessation is a given for preventing circulatory problems that can lead to varicose veins.
Better birth control
Birth control pills that have a high level of estrogen have been proven to increase circulation problems and varicose veins. They also are a known risk factor in blood clots. Additionally, hormone replacement can lead to varicose veins. If you're taking birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy, talk to your doctor about other options.
Seek medical treatment
For varicose veins that are already causing pain, talk to your doctor about varicose vein treatment options that can improve your circulation. Laser surgery, vein stripping, Sclerotherapy and other treatments can help to relieve the pain, discomfort, and further progression of spider or varicose veins.
Varicose veins are a medical condition that can result in serious medical problems. They are a sign of poor circulation, and they should be treated if they're causing pain or other symptoms. Of course, it's much better to work now to prevent varicose veins, than to have to deal with their development later. Lifestyles changes can be key in preventing the formation of varicose veins. If you're a Northern New Jerseyan suffering from pain, heaviness in the legs, or any other symptom of enlarged veins, you should contact your doctor for more information about how to prevent varicose veins and other circulatory problems.