Varicose vein disorder can develop because of many reasons. The risk factors include –

  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Pregnancy
  • Prolonged standing or sitting
  • Hormone replacement therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Obesity
  • Being a woman and more

Varicose veins cannot be prevented, especially due to risks from family history and age. However, you can stop existing varicose vein disorders from deteriorating further.

Avoid standing or sitting for long periods

Blood flow against gravity in leg veins is hindered if you sit or stand in a single position. The pressure increases inside the veins, which causes blood accumulation around your feet, ankles, and calves. You can experience ache and swelling in the legs.

Moving often decreases pressure on the veins and enhances blood circulation. If your task is in front of the computer then perform small exercises like –

  • Peddle your feet
  • Bend knees as if you are marching
  • Stretch your ankles

Elevate legs above heart thrice daily for 15 minutes to break the gravity circle. It causes less swelling and better blood circulation.

Wear compression hosiery

Support from compression stocking and socks helps to keep valves in the veins positioned correctly. Veins get support and function properly, thus reducing blood pool, swelling, and pain.

You even experience fewer night cramps wearing supportive compression. Compression hosiery offers a different compression levels [mild, firm, moderate, and extra firm], so discuss this with your physician.

Make lifestyle changes

Obesity aggravates the vein pressure, so choose a balanced diet. Seek food loaded with ‘Rutin’. It helps the smooth operation of the circulatory system. Rutin-rich food includes apples, apricot, blackberries, buckwheat, and grapes.

Simple dietary substitution like eating whole wheat instead of white flower and choosing brown rice in place of white helps to enhance blood flow. Avoid processed sugar because it can add stress on the vascular system and aggravate varicose vein disorder, over time.

Regular workout 

Walking, swimming and cycling are the best exercises, which helps to prevent varicose vein disorder. Yoga is also good with lots of poses and stretches that can tone the deep muscles in your hamstrings and calves.

Wear loose clothes

Wear loose and comfortable clothes. It helps to enhance blood flow, which is necessary for keeping veins healthy.

Sleep positions for pregnant women

Sleeping on the left side helps to ease varicose vein symptoms and even prevents their formation. The pressure that expanding uterus places on the big vein in the pelvic region gets reduced when you sleep on the left side.

Over time the valves get weaker and varicose vein disorder worsens. Nothing can be done about gender, family history, and age but making little lifestyle changes can help to avert the worsening of existing varicose vein disease.