According to statistics, over 30 million Americans have some form of venous disease. Examples of common conditions include spider veins and varicose veins. Additional vein problems that are diagnosed include:
- Restless leg syndrome
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
- Post-thrombotic ulcers
- Venous stasis ulcers
There are more vein problems than most people imagine, but there are treatment options for all of them. A call just needs to be made to a vein specialist. Interestingly, only about 10 percent of people who experience symptoms of venous disease seek treatment. Here, we outline some of the ways to promote healthy veins naturally.
Do’s for Healthy Veins
- Stay hydrated. The body is mostly water, which means we need to replenish with at least 64 ounces of water each day. This is a baseline for supporting functions like circulation. When we’re hydrated, the blood is thinner and capable of moving more efficiently.
- Exercise regularly. It isn’t necessary to hit the gym for hours a day to support healthy veins, but it is vital to move every day. This could be a low impact activity like walking or swimming for half an hour.
- Elevate the feet. If you work long hours or engage in strenuous activity, it is beneficial to elevate your legs afterward. This helps the blood drain from the lower extremities. Some studies suggest that lying on the back with the legs up a wall promotes better sleep.
Don’ts for Healthy Veins
- Don’t consume sugary, artificial beverages. Many of the beverages purchased in the store contain artificial sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup. Even drinks with added natural sugar may degrade vein health. This is because sugar increases the production of low-density lipoprotein, which can stick inside of blood vessels, forming plaque.
- Don’t smoke. If you smoke, your blood thickens. This contradicts the benefits of staying hydrated and increases the risk of arterial plaque and blood clots.
- Don’t be sedentary. Sitting for long periods is detrimental to vein health because blood can stagnate. To promote healthy veins, support circulation. Get up and move for a few minutes about once an hour to help blood move out of the lower extremities.
Don’t be part of the 90 percent of people who live with unaddressed vein problems. Call our Los Angeles vein clinic at (818) 325-0400 to consult with Dr. Lee about spider veins or varicose veins.