The bulging, twisted appearance of varicose veins is enough to make enough of us cringe at the thought of wearing a bathing suit. Sorry, ladies, there are no known ways to fully prevent varicose veins, especially if you have a family history of them. However, the good news is there are a few valuable tips you can follow to avoid them as much as possible.
Of course, the most popular advice for reducing risk of varicose veins is to avoid standing for extended periods of time. Some professions may not have that luxury, so here are three more tips that may help you avoid varicose veins.
Maintain a healthy body weight
One of the leading contributors to varicose veins is carrying too much body weight. (Women’s Health) Work with a personal trainer to establish a tasty and nutritious diet for a healthy body weight. You may only need to lose five or ten pounds to alleviate any unnecessary pressure on your leg muscles. This can help reduce the risk of developing varicose veins.
Exercise your legs
Going for a nice walk or even a light jog a few times throughout the week can help strengthen potential risk areas for varicose veins. Exercise can also improve blood flow throughout your legs and keep blood valves from becoming weak or damaged over time. Remember: an exercised muscle is conditioned for a healthier lifestyle.
Keep your feet up
While you may be able to avoid standing for long periods of time, you may want to also consider elevating your feet when sitting or resting. This can help reduce blood pressure through the vein pathways in your leg. By taking some of the stress off your legs’ veins, it avoids continuous stress on potentially over-stressed valves.
Varicose veins do not have to be a permanent reality or an embarrassment to hide. If you’re suffering from varicose veins, we can discuss which treatment solutions may be best for your body. Click here to schedule your next appointment today.