If you suffer from this unpleasant problem, you already know what symptoms are associated with it. Varicose veins are caused by weak vessels and interrupted blood circulation. As a result, people who have this condition often notice changes in skin coloration on the lower part of their legs, dark blue or purple veins or other aesthetically unappealing complications. They are usually ashamed by the appearance of their skin. In severe cases, varicose veins can cause serious health issues like blood clots.
Varicose veins affect about ten percent of the entire population. Those who are most often affected are women during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, elderly women, overweight people, smokers, genetically predisposed individuals, and heart patients.
Treat Your Varicose Veins at Home
There are some everyday habits that can help in improving your health and your varicose veins:
- Do not wear tight clothes that can inhibit your blood circulation. This especially applies to pants, skirts, boots and everything else that you wear on the lower part of your body.
- Keep your weight in a healthy range. Overweight people have to handle additional pressure on their legs.
- Take breaks and change positions when sitting for a long period of time. Also, avoid prolonged standing.
- Be careful about your diet. You should be moderate with your consumption of carbohydrates, unhealthy sugars, foods rich in saturated fats, junk food and products made out of white flour.
- Instead, you should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. They are a good source of healthy minerals and vitamins.
- Also, eat foods rich in vitamin C.
- Consume foods with fiber, like wheat bran, to help your digestive system work well and avoid constipation.
- Drink alcohol only in moderation, or even better don’t drink it at all.
Physical activity also plays an important role when it comes to good blood circulation. You should include walking, swimming, or cycling in your everyday life. Yoga classes are also recommended. Stretching the lower parts of your body and rotating your ankles can be very beneficial for blood circulation.
If your job requires excessive sitting or standing, you should take a break every few hours to help your blood circulate better through the lower parts of your body. If you sit a lot, just get up and walk for a few minutes. On the contrary, if you have to stand while you work, take a break, sit down, lift your legs up high and stay in that position for about twenty minutes. Cold water is also good for revealing the symptoms of varicose veins, so you should try alternating warm showers with cooling your legs. You can also gently massage your skin with castor oil. Be careful not to press to hard, because it can lead to complications like bleeding or ulcers. Lift your legs above your heart when massaging and point your feet towards your toes.
If your case of varicose veins is severe and you suffer from serious complications, you should consult with your physician for an adequate medical diagnosis. The home treatments listed above will work only when the varicose veins are mild. Keep in mind that prevention is crucial when it comes to varicose veins.
