If you have a history of varicose veins, you know that pain can be a part of daily life. However, besides medical treatments, you can also alleviate your pain or other symptoms of varicose veins, which sluggish circulation in your legs, feet, and ankles at home.
Let your team at Edward G. Mackay and Associates give you some helpful tips on this aspect.
What Are the Symptoms of Varicose Veins?
About ⅓ of all American adults suffer from varicose veins. These blood vessels are typically located in the legs, feet, and ankles and lie just below the surface of the skin. When the check valves within these veins do not work properly, the blood vessels become swollen, blue, and rope-like, causing Varicose Veins. The symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Leg fatigue and feelings of heaviness
- Excessive skin itching, discoloration, and roughened texture
- Wounds and ulcers, when left untreated
Pregnancy, obesity, and heredity significantly contribute to these ugly and uncomfortable blood vessels. Additionally, smoking, lack of exercise, and even wearing tight-fitting clothing contribute to the formation of varicose veins and smaller, thread-like spider veins.
Vein Treatment Tips People Can Do at Home
Your vein doctor in Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, and Largo, FL, diagnoses and treats numerous people with incompetent veins. Thankfully, most patients respond well to the more conservative measures, and in fact, these measures are good habits to prevent the formation of varicosities and spider veins.
Here are some vein treatments you can do at home to relieve pain and other discomforts.
Tip #1 Elevate your feet and legs daily.
Do this for 15 minutes two to three times a day. Elevation encourages the return of the blood flow from the lower extremities to the heart and relieves swelling.
Tip #2 Wear compression stockings.
This elasticized leg wear helps move pooled blood back to the heart. It also provides support whether you are sitting, standing, or walking.
Tip #3 Wear properly fitting clothing.
Avoid hosiery, pants, and undergarments which are too constricting at the waist.
Tip #4 Get up and move.
If you are too sedentary, varicose veins are almost inevitable. So, do not sit or stand in one place longer than ½ hour at a time. Get out of your chair, stretch, and walk around. Also, include some light aerobic activity in your regular routine. Walk, cycle, or swim to benefit your circulation, muscular strength, and cardiovascular endurance.
Tip #5 Keep a healthy body weight.
Obesity contributes to painful veins. So, if you are too heavy, talk to your PCP about the ways to maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and attain a BMI (body mass index) right for you.
Tip #6 Take nutrition supplements and vitamins as advised by your vein physician in St. Petersburg, FL.
Most vein patients benefit from Vitamin B, C, and E supplements, which support healthy peripheral circulation. Additionally, watch your intake of alcohol, and increase fruits, vegetables, and other sources of fiber.
Painful Vein Treatments Available Near Me
At Edward G. Mackay and Associates, our board-certified vascular surgeon will fully assess your problem veins and recommend ways to control pain and other associated symptoms. He also offers state of the art treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation, sclerotherapy and more to rid you of varicose and spider veins and to avoid life-impacting complications.
To know more or arrange an appointment at one of our three offices: Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg or Largo, FL, call us today at (727) 349-5652. Alternatively, you may ask for a visit by completing our online appointment form. Come see us soon!
