7 Ways to Prevent Varicose Veins

Millions of Americans suffer from varicose veins, or veins that are so close to the surface of the skin that they become visible through your skin. Varicose veins can be raised or twisted due poor circulation, and they are typically found in the legs because the circulation of blood in the legs can be impaired by the stress and pressure of standing or walking on them. Varicose veins are, without question, influenced by genetic factors, but research has also come to a number of conclusions about preventative measures that can be taken. The following seven tips are intended to help you prevent varicose veins.

Try Not to Cross Your Legs While Sitting Down

Sitting with your legs crossed may have been a customary practice for women for years, but is proper etiquette worth the health risk? Studies have shown that women who cross their legs when seated are more prone to getting varicose veins. The reason being that crossing your leg prevents blood from circulating properly. Poor circulation leads to weakened veins and weak veins causes varicose veins. The solution? Try tucking one foot behind the other, crossing your legs at the ankle, rather than the thigh or knee. This will allow for healthy the blood flow that is prevented by crossed legs.

Remember to Exercise On a Regular Basis

In addition to preventing poor circulation, activities that improve your circulation can also play a big role in reducing your chances of varicose veins. Exercising your legs especially is a great way to get the blood moving through your veins. Activities such as walking or running three or more times per week can help to counter the effects of things that harm your circulation, such as sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

One big contributor to the prevalence of varicose veins is obesity. People who are overweight put a lot more stress on their legs and the veins in their legs by doing simple activities such as standing or walking. This stress can prevent blood from circulating properly throughout your body and your legs. And poor circulation often leads to varicose veins. People who are at a healthy weight drastically reduce the pressure on their legs, allowing for better circulation.

Eat a Healthy Diet That Is Rich in Fiber

Healthy circulation is not just a result of physical factors. What you eat can also play a huge role in keeping your blood pumping through your veins. Because constipation has been identified as a contributing factor for varicose veins, experts recommend eating foods such that are rich in whole grains as well as fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure you get the fiber in your diet that you need. Drinking the recommended amount of water daily is also a good way to maintain healthy circulation.

Protect Your Skin from Sun Exposure

Typically, when we think of varicose veins, we think of the legs. However, varicose veins can be found anywhere on the body. Another primary location for varicose veins is the face. Particularly in fair skinned people, excessive sun exposure can cause varicose veins on the nose and cheeks because veins on the face are so close to the surface of the skin. By protecting your face from the sun, be it with a hat that shades your face or by applying sunscreen, you limit the chances of the veins on your face becoming visible.

Avoid Wearing Clothing That Is Too Tight or Constricting

Clothes that are tight around your waist or your legs can prevent proper blood flow in the lower half of your body. As a result, poor circulation can weaken your veins and cause them to become varicose. Make sure your close fit you correctly. This can go a long way when it comes to preventing varicose veins.

Refrain From Sitting or Standing for Long Periods of Time

If you have desk job or your line of work requires you to do a lot of sitting, it can be rather problematic for your circulation and your chances of getting varicose veins. You don’t want to have to sit in one place for longer than you have to, but if you must, try to get up and walk around every 30 to 60 minutes. Even just stretching your legs can help a lot. If you have to stand for an extended period of time without moving, your best bet is to try shifting your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. Anything you can do to keep blood circulating through your legs can help.

It’s unfortunate that there is no one-stop method for ensuring you don’t end up with varicose veins, but at least some willing researchers have figured a lot of it out for the rest of us. It is important to remember that circulation is key, and maintaining an all-around healthy lifestyle will prove benefits in more ways than you can count.