Varicose veins have never made anyone look or feel good. They’re difficult to cover with makeup or clothing and become painfully swollen. Varicose veins can also result in nighttime leg cramps, restless legs, and other health conditions that can impact your quality of life. Fortunately, Dr. Shair gladly recommends four daily steps to prevent varicose veins.
Fill Up With Fiber
Many people gain a few pounds as they get older. Unfortunately, even a little excess weight can lead to significant health issues. Since varicose veins are more likely to form and possibly cause problems when you are overweight, shedding even a few pounds can keep them from getting worse or prevent them altogether. Weight loss can also prevent additional varicose veins from forming if you’ve had them treated at Metro Vein Centers of White Plains, NY.
Fiber-rich foods are very helpful in weight control. Foods rich in fiber help you feel full faster and are often quite nutritious. Crunchy bell peppers with hummus, bright watermelon on a hot day, and a savory casserole filled with fall squashes are sensory feasts. Some other fiber-filled delights include:
- beets
- peaches
- swiss chard
- oranges
Skip The Salt
Sodium is also a factor that can increase the amount of stress on your veins. When you eat too much salt, your body retains extra fluid. Such excess fluid onboard increases the pressure inside the veins. This creates more work for your veins and can possibly weaken them enough for varicose veins to form.
Fortunately, skipping the sodium doesn’t need to be complicated. Scan food labels for any added sodium. Choose low or no-salt versions of processed foods if a fresh, unprocessed version is not available. Dr. Shair can assist you with making healthy vein food choices.
Stay Hydrated
What you drink is even more important than what you eat. While morning coffee, soda with lunch, and cocktails at happy hour may be endemic to the American way of life, they are among the worst drinks for vein health. Both caffeine and alcohol are dehydrating, so consuming them will quickly deplete your body’s fluid supply.
Instead, opt for the most beloved beverage among our vein center staff: water. Water is refreshing, low or no-cost, and is readily available. Make drinking water easier by:
- Carrying a water bottle with you.
- Drinking water at daily transition points such as upon waking or before meetings at work.
- Adding a bit of lemon, cucumber, or watermelon to your water for flavor.
Keep Moving
Your body functions at its best when you move. Even a small daily walk can increase oxygen flow, improve digestion, and rev up your circulation. According to vein experts, exercising can help your legs feel less achy, improve the quality of your sleep, and boost your energy level.
So, get off the train a few stops earlier or take the steps up to your office. While you’re striving to move more, take a walk over to one of our centers. We offer a variety of procedures to get rid of varicose veins and enhance circulation. Come and see what Dr. Shair at the Metro Vein Centers in The Bronx, NY can do to rejuvenate your legs and your life.
