Are you spotting enlarged and twisted veins, especially on your legs? You may be dealing with varicose veins. Varicose veins are unsightly and can also be accompanied by symptoms such as burning, itching, muscle cramps, and leg heaviness, affecting how you manage activities of daily living. Covington varicose veins mainly affect the legs, especially if you stand for an extended period, which increases pressure on the veins.
Varicose veins may be only a cosmetic concern. In other cases, they cause uncomfortable experiences, while if left untreated, they could also lead to health complications, including ulcers, blood clots, or bleeding. The good news is that you can prevent or take measures to stop varicose veins from worsening. Among the practical tips to include in your varicose prevention and management includes:
Weight loss
Obesity or excess weight puts extra pressure on your leg’s veins, leading to varicose veins. Losing weight can help avoid varicose veins or stop their spread. While it might be easier said than done, considering the many health benefits you stand to realize, weight loss is a worthy quest. Dieting, exercise, professional guidance, or surgery in severe cases can help you cut the excess weight.
Ergonomics
Your clothing and posture are among the concerns that can lead to or aggravate varicose veins. If you typically wear tight-fitting items and stand for long hours, you are at high risk of varicose veins. When sitting, try a posture that helps blood flow back to the heart with ease. For instance, place the feet on a stool to keep them elevated. Avoiding lengthy sitting or closing the legs when you sit, extended standing periods, and wearing fitting and comfy items helps avoid varicose veins, simple yet practical measures you can conveniently include in your routine.
Physical activity
Exercise, especially when dealing with an itching or burning leg, may not be your favorite thing. Nonetheless, as you strive to stop varicose veins from spreading or preventing the condition, exercise is crucial, especially for the legs. Exercising strengthens your muscles, the biggest allies. This is because they help the veins carry blood back to your heart against gravity. The stronger the muscles get, the more support, and the easier it will be to prevent or stop varicose veins from growing.
Support tools
You may want to revise your routine, such as taking regular breaks if you have to stand for long hours. Nonetheless, it may not always be easy. You can turn to supportive items such as compression stockings to keep the blood flowing. Store-bought options can suffice, but if you need a more robust option, you can talk to your doctor for a prescription-strength compression hose.
Diet
A heart-healthy diet won’t just help avoid varicose veins; it benefits your entire circulation system. Increasing the intake of heart-healthy diets, such as those rich in fiber, and limiting options like salt can do wonders.
Varicose veins can be a health scare, especially when accompanied by painful or uncomfortable symptoms. You have a lot in your hands, though, that can help keep varicose veins at bay or from spreading, which also means avoiding treatments, including surgery. Visit Louisiana Heart and Vascular Institute today for more on varicose veins, management, and treatment options.
