Signs Of Varicose Veins Should Not Be Taken Lightly
The deoxygenated blood is carried to the heart by veins. The malfunctioning of the veins causes it to be unable to bring blood back to the heart effectively. The varicose veins appear right beneath your skin. They typically affect your legs and feet. These are actually enlarged veins and have a rope-like appearance. It is a common problem for people who are between the age of 40 to 80.
While for some people varicose veins may not cause any discomfort, for other the symptoms could lead to a lot of pain and discomfort. In many cases, the large and twisted veins may be painless whereas the damaged veins which are not easily visible be extremely painful. Below are some symptoms that could point out if the varicose vein is indeed serious in nature.
- Your legs feel heavy and ache most of the time
- You often get muscle cramps in your legs
- You feel a burning and throbbing sensation in your legs
- The area around your calves and ankles is swollen
- The area near the veins is sensitive to touch
If these are some symptoms that you are feeling, then you need to take corrective measures against varicose veins. On hot summer days, this pain can worsen. This is because the blood vessels are more prone to dilate when the temperature is high. This will make it even harder for the valves to function effectively.
Eventually, the symptoms will progress and worsen the condition as the blood will pool around the knees. At such times, even basic movements like sitting for long periods or getting up can lead to aggravated pain.
How To Treat Varicose Veins
Treating varicose veins is not only for cosmetic reasons. If not nipped in the bud, these could lead to bigger health problems like clotting of blood, skin breakdown, and sometimes even skin cancer.
Thank you technology, Varicose veins can now be treated easily. There are two options right here that can be used as treatments depending on the condition of the problem. Smaller veins that are usually not very problematic can be treated with non-invasive methods like sclerotherapy. For larger varicose veins, surgery might be needed. It is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible so they can recommend the best path to treat you.
For relieving yourself from pain you can follow some of the tips mentioned below.
Elevate Your Legs
This can help you get immediate relief from pain and discomfort. Try to slowly elevate your legs above your heart. You can do this by placing your feet up on the table or stretching them against the wall. This will make the blood flow easier into your lower body. Do this for 15 minutes and it should help reduce the pain. Make sure you stop it if the discomfort rises.
Exercise And Stretch
You can do some short exercises that will help you stretch the calf muscles. Do it a few times a day for few minutes. If you are sitting for a long time, then make it a point to flex your feet at regular intervals. For people who have jobs that require them to stand or sit for long hours, then try to change positions every 30 minutes. Bend and gently rotate your knees.
Stay Hydrated
When you have proper hydration and physical movement, the blood circulation too will be healthy. So drink enough water and try to move as much as possible. Set a timer on your phone or laptop to remind you to move every 30 minutes for a few minutes. Soak your feet in cold water as it will help shrink the blood vessels. This will also help reduce swelling. Hot water baths will have a negative effect and may even increase the overall discomfort.
Wear Right Clothes
Wearing tight clothing and high heels can make your varicose veins even worse. These types of clothing and footwear add additional pressure on different parts of your body. This constricts the blood flow. So wear comfortable clothes and shoes especially if you have to be sitting or standing at work the whole day. There are special compression hosieries that can help prevent swelling and heaviness in your legs. You can easily buy these compressions stocking online or at a local pharmacy.
Don’t Be Too Late
While these methods can help you ease pain, do not postpone your appointment with a doctor at the soonest. The more you delay the worse varicose veins will get. While these methods will provide temporary relief, it is the doctor that can help you get over the problem permanently.
