What can I do to stop my varicose veins from enlarging and spreading?  
People who suffer with varicose veins often feel frustrated with this problem as the causes are often beyond personal control – heredity and hormone influences account for a large part of the development and progression of varicosities. However, there are measures that can be taken to help control the progression of the disease:

• Avoid constricting clothing and shoes.
• Maintain ideal body weight
• Elevate the legs above the level of the heart
   for 10-15 minutes whenever possible
   – 2or 3 times per day is ideal.

• Avoid prolonged standing or sitting; take
   breaks to walk every 2 hours if possible,
• Walk as much as possible. When you are not
   able to walk, exercise the calf muscles with
   repetitive ankle flexion (tapping in time to music).
• Wear graded compression support stockings
   during waking hours; remove for sleep.
• Maintain proper skin hygiene and skin lubrication
   to prevent drying of skin.
• Avoid excess salt in the diet to prevent retained
   body fluid.
• Eat a high fiber diet to avoid/prevent constipation
   – straining puts added pressure on the veins.

Continue...
Back