Preventing Varicose Veins

There are many factors that add to your risk for varicose veins. The risk factors are: family history, weakened vein valves, hormonal changes, pregnancy, being overweight, standing for long periods of time, wearing high heeled shoes, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and also heat.

There are several signs that you may be developing varicose veins. These signs are: achy feeling in your legs, a heavy feeling in your legs, swelling of feet or legs, skin discoloration, numbness in the legs, itching or the appearance of a rash on the legs, leg ulcers.

Varicose veins progress and therefore must be treated to relieve the worse symptoms, and to make the patient comfortable. It is imperative that if it is possible, you should try to avoid the things that will aggravate the development of varicose veins.

Some factors have very little you can do to change them like age, we all grow older not younger. As we age we can develop varicose veins. Family history is another factor we can do very little about. What we can do is to control our body weight to be sure that we do not exceed what is recommended for your height and energy needs.

What you can do to prevent varicose veins from developing:

Here are some of the things that you can do everyday to help strengthen your veins, and improve blood flow.

Exercise daily to improve blood circulation in your legs. Exercise can include taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking instead of taking the car, sit with your legs uncrossed, shift positions whenever you have to sit for prolonged periods of time. Get up and stretch your legs if possible during the day.

Help your legs as much as possible by wearing support hose or compression hose. The compression hose provides a gradual counter-pressure. This also helps to reduce the pooling of blood and the pressure on the veins. Avoid excessive heat because it will increase the likelihood that the veins will dilate which can lead to more blood pooling.

You can do all you can to make sure that you avoid developing constipation. When you are constipated and strain you put pressure on the veins in your legs. This pressure enlarges the veins. Making sure you receive adequate amounts of daily fiber is one way of avoiding constipation. It also helps to drink lots of water.

Do your best not to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.

Exercise daily so that your leg muscles are strengthened. Do things like walking, jogging, stair climbing anything that pumps the legs.

Besides taking in fiber, you need to watch your salt intake. Too much sodium in your diet can cause swelling and this can put stress on your lower body.

Do not wear high heels or tight clothing.

How you wear your clothes, and what you wear can make a difference. Do not wear high heels. Avoid wearing tight clothing.

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