If you’re living with varicose veins, you want to do what you can to prevent them from getting worse. Some people avoid wearing tight pants or crossing their legs for fear that will exacerbate the bulging. But those lifestyle habits don’t impact your blood vessels significantly.
However, there are some habits that can cause your blood flow problems to worsen.
At Vascular & Interventional Associates, we have years of experience helping people in northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio, address these problem veins. Our providers can evaluate your legs and help you determine the best plan for minimizing — and potentially even eliminating — your varicose veins.
Varicose veins develop when the valve in a blood vessel malfunctions, allowing blood to flow in the wrong direction and engorge a vein, causing the telltale bulge you can often see beneath the skin.
The following everyday habits inhibit healthy circulation, so we recommend avoiding them.
Your circulation is at its best when you’re on the move. Standing around isn’t great, either, because it means the blood vessels in your legs have to fight gravity.
Breaking up prolonged periods of sitting or standing can be tricky on the job. If you work at a desk, make it a point to use your breaks to take a walk around the office, or at least to the water cooler or coffee maker.
If you work an active job, use your breaks to take a seat.
Physical activity supports healthy circulation. As your muscles flex, it helps blood flow through your vessels, including your varicose veins. In fact, you might notice that activities like walking, swimming, or calf raises can even temporarily lessen the appearance of your varicose veins.
Being sedentary significantly affects the circulation in your lower extremities. Being more active is better for your veins and your overall health.
Tobacco use can increase your likelihood of getting varicose veins. Smoking damages your blood vessels, including the ones in your legs. If you’ve been looking for another reason to quit, this is it.
Kicking the above habits can help you prevent your bulging veins from getting worse. They won’t cause them to disappear, though.
If you’re bothered by your varicose veins, either cosmetically or because they’re uncomfortable, we can help. The Vascular & Interventional Associates team offers varicose vein treatment for patients in the Cincinnati area and throughout northern Kentucky.
At our office, your treatment options include:
We can help you determine which treatment option best suits your problem vein or veins. To schedule an appointment at our office in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, call us or book it online today.
