Although you should see a doctor if your varicose veins cause you sufferingit can be helpful to learn tips that could help ease your discomfort and prevent it from getting worse.
What are varicose veins or varicose veins
Millions of people around the world suffer from varicose veins, and women are twice as likely as men to develop varicose veins.
The varicose veins They can appear anywhere on the body where veins exist. Approximately 95% of varicose veins occur in the lower extremities. Some more serious conditions, such as chronic venous insufficiencyare often related to the appearance of many varicose veins and are characterized by discoloration of the calf and ankle.
In the legs there are two systems of veins.
- There is the deep venous system that is responsible for draining 90% of the blood to the heart.
- And then there is the superficial venous system in charge of draining the remaining 10%.
The varicose veins are enlarged veins and bulging that occur most often in the legs. When the veins are healthy, there are tiny valves that help the leg work against gravity to push blood back to the heart.
When the valves weaken, it can cause blood to leak backwards and pool, creating bulging varicose veins. Although varicose veins often protrude above the surface of the skin, they are not always visible.
Many symptoms can be experienced with this such as pain, swelling, heaviness, throbbing and itching in the legs. All of these can be very uncomfortable and cause some level of disability and decreased quality of life.
Risk factors that cause varicose veins
The most common risk factors can include family history, aging, hormonal imbalances, being overweight or obese, and working in jobs that require prolonged standing.
5 things to avoid if you suffer from varicose veins
The varicose veins they’re pretty common, but that doesn’t make them any less enjoyable. In fact, they can be very uncomfortable. These are 5 things you should avoid doing if you suffer from them.
1. Sitting or standing for a long time
It is more difficult for the blood in the legs to travel against gravity if you stay in one position for too long. Being stagnant causes increased pressure in the veins. So if you’re sitting at a desk all day, reminding yourself to move from time to time can be beneficial. Without necessarily getting up every 20 minutes, you can pedal, stretch your ankles, and bend your knees to help move your blood and increase circulation.
2. Obesity and poor diet
Being overweight causes greater pressure on the veins, which is a factor aggravation of varicose veins. Also, denatured and overly processed foods should be avoided. Like refined carbohydrates, added sugar in sweets like cookies, cakes, and chocolate. Salty or high-sodium foods should also be avoided because they cause the body to retain water.
On the other hand, foods rich in potassium can help reduce water retention. These foods include certain nuts such as almonds and pistachios, lentils and navy beans, leafy vegetables, and potatoes.
Therefore, prioritizing a healthy lifestyle is key to helping prevent further damage to your veins. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, fiber, healthy fats, and protein should be the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Drinking enough water is also important, because adequate hydration equals healthy blood circulation.
3. Being sedentary
The body is made to move, and too often today, we sit for long hours every day. The most beneficial exercise to prevent varicose veins is walking. Other recommended low-impact activities include swimming, biking, and yoga. In yoga, there are postures that raise the feet above the heart. These are called inversions and include headstand, shoulderstand, and legstand up the wall. They can all get the blood flowing in the right direction.
4. Wrong sleeping positions in pregnant women
Because varicose veins often occur during pregnancy. Sleeping on the left side can help prevent the formation of varicose veins and relieve the symptoms of existing ones. This position helps reduce the pressure that the expanding uterus puts on the large vein in the pelvic area, which is located in the middle right side of the body.
5. Tight clothing
These can put more pressure on your legs, which can make varicose veins worse.
Natural remedies for varicose veins
A 2006 study suggests that extract of horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum L., may help reduce leg pain, heaviness, and itching in people with chronic venous insufficiency, which is a leading cause of varicose veins .
Cypress essential oil can help reduce swelling in superficial veins and improve blood flow to the legs. It is styptic, which means that it has the ability to constrict blood vessels, both veins and arteries, thus promoting blood flow in the desired direction. You can add a few drops to a carrier oil and massage directly into the area where the varicose veins are.