We’ve recently covered several of the possible causes of varicose veins, as well as some of the more serious risks to health that can accompany them; today, we’ll list several ways that you can stop existing varicose veins from getting worse.
Exercise
Regular exercise will give you a wide range of health benefits, including general improvements to blood circulation that lies at the root of most varicose veins problems. Focused leg exercises can help ease situations where poor circulation in the legs results in swelling or itchy sensations, and cardiovascular (or aerobic) exercises like brisk walking, running, jogging, or swimming will increase your heart’s ability to circulate blood efficiently throughout the body.
Ideally, exercise should occupy at least 30 minutes, but even 10-minutes of physical activity once or twice a day will give lasting benefits over time. If you’re unable to engage in strenuous exercises, even regular walking will help you to boost your overall health.
Lose Weight
If you’re overweight (whether it’s by just a few pounds or if you’re classified as obese), losing weight will reduce the stress on your legs that contributes to developing varicose veins, as well as helping to stop new varicose veins from developing. Obviously, losing weight, whether through exercise or diet, also helps to improve your general health and reduces your chances of developing a host of other problems, including heart disease, diabetes, or strokes.
Stop Smoking
Smoking may not be a primary cause of varicose veins, but smoking has a marked effect on blood vessel health and blood circulation in general. Stopping (or reducing) smoking will greatly assist you in improving your overall health and make it much easier to increase the amount of exercise you perform.
Avoid Lengthy Inactivity
Standing still or sitting for extended periods helps blood pooling and is a significant cause of the blood circulation problems that lead to varicose veins. Try hard to break up long periods when you’re inactive by going for a short walk, stretching, and by changing your posture. Sitting with your feet elevated will help blood flow away from your legs and is recommended as a way to counteract lengthy periods spent standing up.
Avoid Tight Clothing
Anything that restricts blood flow is to be avoided, and that includes tight clothing, especially when it places extra pressure on or around your legs. High heels can also restrict blood flow around the ankles, with similar negative results. Specialized support hose can actually help improve blood circulation by applying pressure evenly around the ankles, resulting in improved blood circulation in the rest of the legs.
Wear Sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen to reduce varicose veins might seem like an unlikely piece of advice, but it’s actually quite reasonable. Excessive UV rays from sunlight can damage collagen fibers that help form the walls of blood vessels that lay close to the surface, which in turn can result in spider veins developing. Light-complexioned people are especially prone to this form of skin damage.
Your Laser Skin Care
Your Laser Skin Care is medically qualified and highly experienced — we offer a full range of services, including a full diagnosis of the cause of your varicose veins and advice on the best ways to treat the condition. We have extensive experience providing both laser vein therapy and Sclerotherapy treatments and a host of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation or visit us online for more information.
