New Year’s resolutions may not be a new concept to you, but have you ever considered making a resolution for healthier veins? The truth is that varicose veins are a common problem for adults over the age of 50, creating a significant cosmetic nuisance and even causing discomfort to some sufferers. By making resolutions that will benefit your veins in 2016, you may be taking the first healthy step to keeping varicose veins at bay.
Healthy Eating
Foods high in a special type of nutrient known as flavonoids can help promote healthy veins and blood flow, while possibly relieving uncomfortable symptoms of varicose veins. Flavonoids can be found in a variety of foods, including citrus fruits, berries, bananas, onions, sweet potatoes and garbanzo beans. Try to add a flavonoid-rich food or two to your diet daily to reap the greatest benefits from these power-packed nutrients.
Daily Exercise
Daily workouts of the calf muscle gives those hard-working leg veins a break from moving blood back up the body to the heart. When the calf muscles flex, they push the blood back up the vessels, reducing the risk that those veins will become damaged or wear out over time. Low-impact exercise like walking, swimming and biking tend to be the best options.
Comfortable Clothing Options
Did you know the simple decision of what to wear in the morning can impact the health of your veins? When you wear clothing that constricts around the midsection, you inadvertently place more strain on the veins in the lower leg. When that pressure is constant, it may lead to damage to the vessels, which can lead to the formation of varicose veins. Choosing looser clothing allows the blood to pump freely so the veins remain healthy and strong.
Taking Breaks
Many of us have jobs that require us to sit behind a desk or remain on our feet most of the day. Both of these positions can strain the veins and lead to varicose vein formation over the long term. To alleviate that risk, take frequent breaks throughout the day to walk around and get your calf muscles flexing. You can also elevate your legs above your heart at the end of the day, giving your veins a break from pumping blood against gravity all day long.
Getting Support
If you already have varicose veins, or you have a high risk of developing them due to family history, there is an additional step you can take to keep your vein condition in check. Compression stockings offer gradient support from the feet up the leg to make it easier for your vessels to pump blood to the heart. These stockings are available over-the-counter or with a doctor’s prescription, depending on how much support you need.
If you already have varicose veins that are causing embarrassment and discomfort, perhaps 2016 is the year you finally say goodbye to those bulging vessels for good. At Vein Center of Florida & South Baldwin, we offer a variety of non-surgical vein treatments to eliminate varicose veins with minimal discomfort and downtime. To learn more, contact our office today at 800-910-8346.