Keep Your Veins Healthy With These Few Tips
May 21, 2018
Spider veins and varicose veins may not be pretty, but they also may cause you discomfort. Some people experience aching, heavy and painful legs, while other have swelling, throbbing, burning and itching in their legs.
Supporting Vein Health
While there is no sure-fire way to definitely preventing vein problems from occurring, particularly if you are predisposed to them, there are steps you can take to prevent vein issues, like varicose veins, from developing, or help to avoid current vein problems from worsening.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Clothing that is too tight, especially clothing that constricts your waist or groin areas, can place pressure on your leg veins, causing varicose veins to worsen or develop.
- Don’t sit for long periods of time. If you must sit for your job, do foot exercises every hour. Pretend like you are pushing the brake or gas pedal on the car. You can also write the alphabet or numbers with your foot. Get up and take a quick walk every hour if possible.
- Don’t stand for long periods of time. Like with sitting for long periods, adjust your standing position frequently, and if possible sit and elevate your feet after standing for an extended period of time.
- Lose weight if overweight. Excess weight can put pressure on your veins leading to varicose veins
- Wear shoes that allow for circulation. This means to not wear tightly-fitting shoes, even if they look good. If you wear high heels often, consider wearing flats when possible
- Exercise often. Low-impact exercise encourages blood circulation without putting undue stress on your leg veins. Try walking or swimming.
- Elevate your feet and legs. When sitting, elevate your legs. If you’re able to, take breaks and elevate your legs to a level above your heart.
- Wear compression stockings. If you have swelling in your feet, legs, or ankles, your doctor may ask you to wear compression stockings. These can help to not only decrease leg swelling but also help to prevent blood from pooling in your leg veins.
- Don’t smoke. If you smoke, make it a point to quit. Smoking can affect your blood circulation and blood clotting mechanism.
- Keep hydrated. Your blood may flow more easily if you’re properly hydrated.
- Get screened for vein disease. Last but not least, It’s important if you believe you have vein disease or have a family member who has vein disease, for you to get screened. Here at the Kimmel Institute in Boca Raton, FL, we can screen you for vein disease, and provide you with varicose vein treatment if needed.
Here at our Boca Raton office, we offer treatments for varicose veins. Call us at 561-948-5560 for a vein health screening or treatment.