Varicose veins and spider veins plague millions of Americans nationwide. Exacerbated by extended periods of sitting and non-activity, this health problem can often be prevented by measures that improve the body’s circulation and general well-being.

Measures You Can Take to Prevent Varicose Veins

Because varicose veins occur when blood leaks and pools in veins rather than being pumped toward the heart, valve strengthening and circulation improvements are most effective at preventing the development of new varicose veins. By living a generally healthy lifestyle, and by making several small adjustments to your daily life, you can minimize your risk of varicose veins developing or worsening.

Some lifestyle changes that assist in prevention include:

• Quit smoking: Smoking thickens blood and can cause it to pool more easily in veins.
• Limit drinking: Drinking causes veins to dilate. Because the liver is busy filtering alcohol out of its system, blood thickens since the liver is not effectively filtering blood, putting more stress on valves.
• Eat a healthy diet: A diet rich with copper, bioflavonoids, fiber, and good hydration are all key components to preventing varicose veins.
• Exercise and lose weight: Exercising regularly improves circulation and losing excess weight decreases stress placed on valves.

Some daily changes that can assist with varicose vein prevention include:

• Wear flats rather than heels: Shorter heels allow the calf to work harder and improve valve strength and circulation.
• Not crossing legs: Crossing legs for extended periods of time further cuts off circulation.
• Wear loose fitting clothes: Clothing worn too tightly on the legs can impair circulation.
• Get up and move around: If you are able to, get up and walk around to improve blood flow to your legs after sitting.

These changes can certainly help decrease the formation or worsening of varicose veins, buy the only permanent solution to existing varicose veins is to have a minimally invasive surgical removal. These procedures are safe and effective options that, when used in combination with lifestyle and daily changes, provide the best protection against varicose veins developing or worsening.

At Advanced Vein Treatment and Cosmetic Center, we offer four different kinds of treatments for varicose vein removal that can improve your self-confidence and your circulatory health. Call us today at (708) 827-5732 and our friendly staff will book you a consultation so you can take steps toward changing your life and feeling better than ever.