Preventing varicose veins

Reducing the risk of getting varicose veins or lessening the seriousness of them can be accomplished by following some of the suggestions listed below:

• Regular Exercise – Lowering the chances of getting varicose veins can depend a lot on how regularly you exercise.  If you walk for 30 minutes per day a few times per week or become active in other exercise programs this will begin to help the leg muscles become stronger and help the circulation of blood to improve.  If you do being an exercise regimen, you should contact your doctor particularly if you have any other health issues such as high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, heart disease or arthritis.

• Do not stand for an extended time – If you do have to stand for an extended period, you can try shifting your weight alternating legs.  Stand on your tip-toes frequently to help circulate blood or walk in place if you can.  If you have worked a long day on your feet you should elevate your feet as this will help move the blood upward in your body.

• Keep legs elevated when sitting or lying – When you keep your feet elevated, this allows the leg veins to move the blood toward your heart.  When you sleep at night you can elevate your feet using a pillow or putting wood under the foot of the bed to raise the end which will keep your feet level with your heart.

• Do not sit for an extended period – Sitting for a long period of time with or without your legs crossed can squeeze the veins which will affect the flow of blood through your legs.  If you do have to sit during your job, you should take several breaks and walk around when you can.

• Avoid wearing high heels – Walking in high heels forces your body to use buttock muscles instead of muscles in the calves.  There is nothing to help assist with the flow of blood in the legs when wearing high heels, however, wearing flat shoes when you walk will allow you to use calf muscles which does help with blood flow.

• Do not wear restrictive clothes – If you wear clothes that are too tight, this will not allow blood to flow freely throughout your veins.

• Maintain a healthy weight – The added strain of excess weight on your legs can lead to varicose veins.  This causes the valves and walls of your veins to become weak.

• Eat high fiber foods – Eating food high in fiber will assist in avoiding constipation which puts added pressure on the anus veins and will increase the danger of developing hemorrhoids.

• Take Vitamin C – Vitamin C can assist in strengthening the walls of the blood vessels.

• Invest in compression hose – If you have been diagnosed with varicose veins or are considered high risk, you should purchase some compression stockings.  These can be found at any drugstore and can worn throughout the day.