What to Avoid When You Have Varicose Veins

What should be avoided when you have varicose veins?

1. Sitting or standing too long
2. Smoking or use of tobacco products
3. Wearing high heels
4. Crossing your legs
5. Forgetting to use sunscreen

 

Overview

• Staying in one position for too long can worsen blood circulation.
• Smoking can lead to stiff veins and thicker blood.
• Flat shoes are a better option to enhance blood flow in your legs.
• Sunscreen can reduce the thinning of vein walls.

 

Introduction

Varicose veins can lead to various issues that can hinder our daily lives, such as painful, throbbing, and swelling legs or ankles¹. If you find yourself in this condition, seek help from a medical professional on the changes you need to apply.

This article highlights what to avoid when you have varicose veins. These simple practices can be useful in managing your situation, leading to a more comfortable day-to-day.

 

 

Sitting or Standing Too Long

Sitting or standing for long periods regularly can worsen varicose veins. It can put pressure on your veins while also reducing good blood flow². Being active is one of the ways to prevent and manage it. However, it’s still pivotal to avoid overexertion while working out¹.

Shifting how you sit or stand can remove pressure from a certain area of your body. It is advised to alternate your position every 30 minutes. You can also incorporate walking to stay active after a long day, ensuring blood circulation³.

Some exercises you can avoid are heavyweight lifting and high-impact workouts like burpees and lunges.

 

Smoking or Use of Tobacco Products

Though smoking directly impacts the respiratory system, it can also aggravate vein health. Individuals who use tobacco products, such as cigarettes. e-cigarettes, and hookahs are more likely to have varicose veins⁴.

Nicotine smoking can make our blood vessels more narrow⁵. It can limit the blood load they carry throughout our body. It can also reduce the elasticity and weaken arteries and veins⁶.

Damaged blood vessels can lead to the thickening of blood, which may increase the risk of blood clots⁷. It can form plaque in your blood vessels. This fatty plaque can clog your arteries because your cells are weaker⁵.

 

Wearing High Heels

Managing your varicose veins is about improving the blood flow in your leg. That is why high heels are not a recommended fashion or style option. They shift the pressure to your foot and toes. This changes your natural way of walking, leading to an abnormal contraction of your calf muscles².

Unlike when wearing flat shoes, your calf muscles contract normally to improve blood circulation. 

Enhancing your blood flow is not just through your shoes but also in what you wear. Tight clothing around your waist and groin area should be avoided³. However, this should not limit your fashion sense. There are available medical-grade compression garments you can wear instead¹.

 

Crossing Your Legs

A common myth is that crossing your legs can cause varicose veins⁸. This habit does not exert enough force. However, if this habit is coupled with a few more issues or factors like being overweight or a sedentary lifestyle, it can lead to unhealthy veins⁹.

Even though this position has a minimal effect on your veins, it still depends on the duration and pressure location⁸. The increasing pressure on your legs is due to staying in this position for a long time. This can lead to difficulty in proper blood flow.

 

Forgetting Sunscreen

Too much sun exposure can cause skin damage. Long-term consequences can be photoaging or premature skin aging¹⁰. Apart from this deep layer damage, they can also affect your veins. Ultraviolet light can break down the collagen in vein walls².

For veins closer to the skin surface, applying sunscreen can reduce the development of spider veins.

There is also an effect of weather on varicose veins. During the summer, our veins tend to increase in size to help cool down the body¹¹. This process is called vasodilation. This makes them look like they are flaring up or more obvious. Applying sunscreen can help you manage your condition and protect your vein walls.

 

Key Takeaway

Exploring what to avoid when you have varicose veins can prevent the worsening of the case. However, these practices are not enough to fully manage this condition.

With Diosmin + Hesperidin (Daflon® 1000), you can relieve signs and symptoms of varicose and spider veins. It can help reduce pain and heavy sensations in your leg.