Question: Does walking help if I have varicose veins? If so, should I wear compression stockings when walking? Would elastic bandages also work as my legs are almost too large for the stockings I bought?
Answer: Varicose is derived from Latin word varix meaning twisted. Varicose veins are weak veins that are swollen and purplish in appearance. Veins become varicose when the impure blood is not carried to the heart due to the weak valves in the vein; instead the blood flows back, and pools in the vein and causes congestion. Varicose vein can occur in any part of the body; however legs are more susceptible to it.
Causes And Symptoms Of Varicose Veins
- It can arise during pregnancy when the flow of blood back from lower limbs is restricted. The problem may cease after childbirth.
- Constipation and heavy lifting.
- Prolonged inactivity or jobs that require prolong standing.
- Aging process makes the skin less elastic and therefore cannot support veins.
- Heredity, hormonal factors and gravity are other factors that influence varicose veins.
- Women are more prone to varicose veins than men.
- Obesity also increases susceptibility to varicose veins because it can impair the flow of blood back from the lower limbs.
The need to get panic from varicose veins is when the vein is ruptured or there is formation of clot.
Some common symptoms of varicose veins are:
- Tired, aching and heavy feeling in the legs; occasional pain that may vary.
- The veins turn to purple color in inner side of thigh and back of calf. They get enlarged and swollen.
- Cramps in calf muscles at night.
- In advanced cases the skin above affected veins, itches, and scales. It appears brownish grey.
Home Remedies For Varicose Veins
Conservative line of treatment is compression stocking, it helps to relieve swelling and aching of leg. Compression stocking will help the blood flow upward to the heart and thus help in decreasing the swelling and stasis of blood in lower leg.
Does walking help in people suffering from varicose veins?
- Yes, walking with the support of compression stocking benefits. When you walk, the muscles of the leg squeeze the veins. Thus help the flow of blood in upward direction towards heart.
- If your legs are too large for stocking, you can wear elasto -crepe bandage for the purpose of compression
Some of the home remedies are:
- To improve blood circulation, keep your legs higher than your heart.
- Application of vitamin E oil or witch hazel tea is known as a good home remedy for varicose veins.
- Experts recommend that one should avoid potatoes, condiments, alcohol, tea and coffee, white flour products when suffering from varicose veins.
The other line of treatment is surgical:
- Laser surgery, vein stripping are more common form of surgical treatment available in non conservative approach.
How To Prevent Varicose Veins?
- Continuous standing or sitting should be avoided. Perform simple heel exercise by standing flat-footed on the floor, then rise up onto the balls of your feet, stand in that position momentarily and then go back to the floor. Repeat this exercise 10 to 20 times.
- Tight clothing and shoes should be avoided.
- Walk regularly to prevent blood pooling in the legs.
- Maintain healthy weight, to prevent new varicose veins from appearing.
- Avoid crossing legs as it puts pressure on leg veins.