Millions of Americans will develop varicose veins at some point in life. Besides being aesthetically unappealing, varicose veins and spider veins can make daily activities, such as standing and walking, uncomfortable. In more serious cases, Orlando varicose veins can even result in skin ulcers. Common risk factors for this condition include family history, age, obesity, hormone fluctuations, sedentary living, and more. Some risk factors like age and family history are impossible to avoid. However, there are numerous measures you can take to avoid the manageable risk factors. Continue reading to learn more.
1. Exercise Often
Regular running and walking can enhance blood circulation to the legs, which helps eliminate any vein dysfunction. About thirty minutes of exercise everyday could also reduce hypertension and strengthen all elements of your circulatory system.
2. Maintain A Healthy Weight
There is a huge correlation between varicose veins and obesity. Extra weight places more pressure on your legs, increasing your veins’ work to circulate blood back to your heart effectively. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight hugely reduces the susceptibility to varicose and spider vein development. Consult your vein doctor about incorporating regular exercise and adopting healthy eating habits into your everyday routine.
3. Avoid Prolonged Sitting or Standing
Prolonged sitting or standing keeps your calf muscles inactive, and can hugely weaken the walls and valves of blood vessels in the lower extremities. With time, this issue leads to vein dysfunction and heightened venous pressure in both the feet and legs.
Vein doctors encourage patients to try a combination of sitting and standing during the day. If prolonged sitting and standing are unavoidable, perhaps because of your occupation, calf exercises, regular shifts in position, and short walks could be helpful. Besides, when sleeping or seated, you should raise your legs above your heart level to enhance proper blood flow.
4. Practice Proper Posture
Vein specialists believe proper posture could also enhance circulation; thus, avoiding varicose veins. Moreover, you should avoid sitting with your legs crossed, as this can limit blood flow to your lower limbs.
5. Stop Smoking
One common effect of smoking is hypertension, a leading cause of varicose vein development. If you are a habitual smoker, it is advisable to quit the habit to avoid varicose veins and protect other aspects of your health.
6. Avoid Prolonged Hormonal Contraception Use
Utilizing hormonal contraception is known to raise your risk of developing varicose veins because the increased estrogen can disrupt the functionality of valves in the peripheral veins. Your specialist should suggest other long-term contraception alternatives like implants.
7. Wardrobe Changes
Avoiding overly tight clothes around the legs and waist can help enhance blood flow. Go for clothing that is soft and loosely fitting. Moreover, trading high heels for well-fitting flat or low-heeled shoes can help.
8. Wear Compression Stockings
Wear a compression stocking if you identify the early warning signs of varicose veins on your legs. Numerous compression stockings are available, so consult your provider to find the right compression level and fit for your unique needs.
Varicose veins are not only unsightly but can also lead to serious health consequences if left untreated. The steps highlighted above can help to avoid the development of varicose veins, and keep existing ones from worsening. Nonetheless, if these conservative solutions fail to improve the signs and symptoms of vein illness, you should consider more aggressive therapy. In the past, most patients resorted to vein stripping, a surgical treatment that results in huge scarring. However, numerous less invasive solutions for treating varicose veins are available, including laser ablation sclerotherapy, phlebectomy, and more.
