I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.
If your mother or father has varicose veins, you are at an increased risk of developing them, too. However, you do have some level of control over whether or not you develop these bulging, ugly veins as you age. If you follow the preventative tips below, you can reduce (though sadly, not eliminate) your chances of developing varicose veins.
Stay active.
There are many reasons to stay active and get plenty of exercise throughout your lifetime. Varicose vein prevention is just one of them. When you're sedentary, you increase your risk of developing these bulging veins, so start making fitness a priority today. You don't have to become an ultra-marathon runner or a triathlete to reduce your risk. Here are a few easier ways to stay active:
Don't stand for long periods of time.
Recent studies have shown that sitting all day is terrible for your health. Unfortunately, standing all day isn't great for you either, and it can increase your risk of varicose veins. Try to work a good mixture of sitting and standing into your day. If you work in an office, look for a convertible desk that you can raise and lower into sitting and standing positions, and change your position a few times throughout the day. This will ensure you don't put too much stress on your legs while also helping you thwart the risks associated with sitting all day.
If your job requires you to be on your feet for a long period of time, make sure you purchase a quality pair of shoes with a lot of support. Also, walk around whenever possible rather than standing in one place. This will increase the circulation to your legs and help reduce your risk of varicose veins.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Heavier people are more likely to develop varicose veins. Staying active should help you maintain a healthy weight, but the other component of weight maintenance is following a healthy diet. To keep the pounds off and thereby reduce your risk of varicose veins, make sure you're eating a diet based on whole, natural foods such as lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
It's okay to treat yourself every once in a while, but don't make that bowl of ice cream a nightly indulgence. If you notice your weight start to creep up, take action immediately by increasing your daily exercise and paying closer attention to what you're eating.
Ask your doctor about support hosiery.
Many times, an underlying circulation issue contributes to the development of varicose veins. Signs of a circulation problem include perpetually cold limbs, numbness in the limbs, and a blue tint to the extremities. If you think you may have poor circulation, talk to your doctor about the problem. If you're diagnosed with a circulation issue, wearing compression stockings may help prevent varicose veins from forming. These stockings put pressure on your legs to prevent blood from pooling in the veins. They look just like regular stockings and can be worn under your normal clothing.
If you have a family history of varicose veins, don't just sit back and wait for them to appear on your legs, too. If you take action today, you may be able to keep your legs looking smooth and bulge-free.
Share27 August 2015
