Now that temperatures are rising and rainy days are becoming few and far between, it finally feels like summer is here.
Many people associate summer with good things: vacation, days at the pool, outdoor activities, and a whole lot more. People with varicose veins, however, have a different association with the season. For them, the hot weather can bring discomfort, swelling, and a whole lot of self-consciousness.
We’re practicing vein experts in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, and every year, we have people asking us about summer weather and their varicose veins. While there are always ways to hide your varicose veins, this doesn’t solve the underlying problem — or its many side effects.
Today, we’re going to talk about how you can prepare your varicose veins for summer. Then, we’ll share how you can say your current vein issues goodbye.
Why Summer Can Make Varicose Veins Worse
As we’ve previously covered, many people with varicose veins report that summer can make their vein issues worse.
One theory behind this relates to heat. During the summer, heat naturally causes blood vessels to expand. This can add pressure to one’s already-weakened veins, making the symptoms associated with their vein issues more intense. Many people with varicose veins report increased swelling, throbbing, or heaviness after spending time outdoors or standing for long periods in direct sunlight.
Not helping matters is the fact that summer is filled with activities that can aggravate varicose veins. Long flights, road trips, and days spent walking or standing may increase pressure on one’s legs — in turn, causing pain.
While this is unfortunate, it also serves as a wake-up call to take care of your legs. Here are some ways to do that.
Stay Active and Improve Circulation
We know what you’re thinking — “I don’t have the time to go to the gym!”
Don’t worry. While some people enjoy going to the gym, we know that it’s not for everyone, and that many don’t have the extra time to fit an hour on the treadmill into their evening.
Fortunately, staying active doesn’t need to involve short stints of heavy exercise. Instead, the true trick to staying active and improving your circulation is simply encouraging more movement throughout the day.
This typically involves many small changes, not one big one. For example, instead of taking the elevator, try taking the stairs — or even just one floor of stairs before switching to the elevator.
Any time you have the opportunity to walk, take it. Then, if you’re enjoying the activity and have the time, you can add things like bicycling, swimming, or gentle strength training to your day.
At times when you have to be idle, such as when you’re sitting at a desk, make an effort to flex your ankles, stretch your legs, and walk when possible. All of these factors can help keep blood flowing.
Treat Your Legs Right
Taking care of your legs is not just about adding some extra activity. If you have varicose veins, your legs are already under a lot of pressure — and so, you should treat them with care.
One way to do this is by elevating your legs whenever possible. If you have an idle activity that can be done horizontally, such as watching television or reading a book, make an effort to do this while raising your legs in the air above heart level. This should be done for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
While this is helpful every day, many people with varicose veins say it’s especially helpful after a long day outdoors or after a lot of travel, and in particular, right before bed.
Another aspect of treating your legs right involves having the proper footwear and, if needed, wearing compression stockings.
Finally, it’s important to protect your legs from the sun. This is good advice in general — sunscreen is a must! — but people with varicose veins in particular may want to be more careful with their legs and sunlight.
Varicose veins can make one’s skin more sensitive. Additionally, excessive sun exposure may make skin coloration and dryness that accompany varicose veins worse. In short, wear sunscreen and cover your legs when possible.
Is There Anything Else I Can Do?
There are plenty of other ways one can improve their vein health. For example, hydration is key, as well as maintaining a healthy diet.
That said, the only true way to solve a varicose vein problem is to address its source.
If you want to get rid of your varicose veins, reach out to us today and schedule a consultation. We can help you take care of your varicose veins and give you the summer legs you’ve always wanted.
