Sensitive Living » Varicose Veins

Preventing Varicose Veins

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:08:08 +0000

Varicose veins may not usually be considered a serious health problem, but it is popular as many people have them. The aching pain they cause is indeed a great discomfort particularly after a long day of sitting or standing. Furthermore, the veins may signal a higher risk for other more serious blood vessel disorders. There are treatments available for varicose veins but there are also things you can do to reduce them:

Regular exercise. Walking, running, cycling, and swimming keep blood vessels healthy. Add high fiber to your meal as well and avoid salt in your diet.

Avoid high heels and tight-fitting clothes undergarments as they can restrict the blood flow at the waist, groin, and legs.

Avoid leaving legs crossed or bent for a long period. Stretch your legs and rotate ankles and wiggle your toes once in a while.

Do leg stretching exercises regularly and raise legs above the level of the heart whenever possible.

Stop Varicose Veins

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:52:45 +0000

Varicose veins are often inherited. If your mother has them, there’s a good chance you will, too. Here are some tips you can do to keep them in check:

Avoid standing still for long periods. If you have no choice, keep your calf muscles, rising up and down on your toes, and squeezing your feet together in your shoes.

Avoid wearing knee-high nylons or socks daily. They can block the movement of blood up the leg.

Wear support hose. These stockings apply a gentle, graduated pressure to the leg from the foot upward, which help decrease expansion of the vein wall.

Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes every day.

Exercise with care. A well-toned leg muscle will pump out more blood than a weak muscle as you walk or move. When you lift heavy weights, however, make sure you blow out. Increased abdominal pressure can block the flow of the heart, forcing your veins to expand to get around the block.