Ward off Venous Insufficiency by Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Did you know that you can prevent venous insufficiency by living a healthy lifestyle? Venous insufficiency can lead to blood clots, spider veins, and varicose veins. Heredity can play a part in vein problems, but even if you are predisposed to this condition, you can help to ward it off by living in a healthy manner. Here are some ways to do this:

Get regular exercise. Exercise not only makes you feel better and helps you lose weight, it also promotes circulation. By maintaining a healthy weight and exercising you can prevent venous insufficiency. If you already suffer from venous insufficiency and varicose veins, a well-balanced exercise program can help to prevent more problems. Try not to do rigorous exercise that can aggravate your varicose veins. Walking, swimming, and cycling are all beneficial low-impact exercises for you to do.

Lose weight. Carrying extra weight on your body than you need can put undue stress on your venous system, causing varicose veins. In those that are obese, varicose veins might not be as visible on the skin as those who maintain a healthy weight, thus seeking treatment might be delayed. Losing weight goes hand in hand with a healthy exercise regimen.

Stop smoking. We all know that smoking tobacco is a health hazard. The tobacco companies even have warnings on their packaging. The chemicals in a cigarette inhibit oxygen transfer to the blood and slows blood flow. Both of these situations are dangerous and contribute to venous insufficiency. Stop smoking for your veins and also for your overall health. By not smoking, you will be able to exercise more and have overall good health.

Try to avoid sitting or standing for a long time. If you need to stand or sit for long periods of time, try to do the opposite. If you stand for a long time, take breaks to sit and rest your legs. If you sit for a long time, get up and stretch your legs, especially your calf muscles which help to pump blood back to the heart.

If you feel that you have venous insufficiency and want an evaluation by a doctor, call Dr. Joseph Magnant for an appointment at 239-694-VEIN or online at WeKnowVeins.com.