While varicose veins are not preventable, there are certain things you can do to prevent them from worsening. Varicose veins are a common problem affecting millions of people around the world. Varicose veins are a nuisance and a source of pain. Preventing more from developing is crucial to your health. 

Varicose veins are caused by veins swelling from blood that fails to reach the heart. Lifestyle changes can stop additional veins from forming and decrease the pain that they cause. Whether you are experiencing excessive pain from varicose veins or do not like the external appearance they bring to your skin, the right lifestyle changes can help improve how varicose veins react. 

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Avoid Weight Gain

Varicose veins form when blood has difficulty flowing from weak valves. Being overweight or just carrying a few excess pounds can be a source of pressure on these veins. Pressure can cause added pain to varicose veins, which may present the feeling of heaviness or being brought down. 

Staying on top of your diet by avoiding unhealthy foods not only benefits your long-term health but prevents varicose veins from worsening. More specifically, eating high fiber foods is beneficial to varicose veins. A diet with too much salt can also cause varicose vines to worsen. Excessive weight makes varicose veins worse but also pose other serious health risks. 

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Exercise

Exercise is another important lifestyle factor that not only helps you lose weight but also helps varicose veins by increasing circulation. Exercise also decreases your current symptoms of varicose veins. You do not have to start an extensive workout routine. Getting simple cardio in each day is a great way to start. Things such as taking a long walk or scenic bike ride help prevent varicose veins from getting worse. 

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Quit Smoking

If you are a smoker, you’ve problem heard a million reasons by now why you should quit. With varicose veins, smoking can only make your symptoms worse along with the potential for more to form. The toxic ingredients found in cigarettes damage veins. Smoking reduces blood flow, which is increases varicose veins. Increasing blood pressure can cause varicose veins to worsen by damaging valves. If you are considering treatment for varicose veins, smoking can increase the risk of complications.

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Avoid Long Periods of Standing or Sitting

Long periods of sitting can decrease circulation so that blood pools. Standing too long also makes blood pool in the extremities. When working at a desk, allow yourself time to move around at least every few hours, especially when working from home. Standing too long can also increase varicose veins, so be sure to sit down and give yourself a break when needed.

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Compression Stockings

Compression stockings a common and effective treatment for varicose veins. These socks or leg sleeves increase circulation, treating varicose veins with little to no effort. Compression stockings can be worn the entire day and removed before going to sleep. Make sure you check with your doctor to ensure compression stockings are right for you. 

If you are searching for a vein doctor in the East Bay Area, contact BASS Vein Center at (925) 281-5912. BASS Vein Center provides some of the top doctors in the area. We can help treat your varicose veins and prevent them from becoming any worse. After treatment, we will provide you with the best post-procedure plan to ensure you maintain your healthy and active lifestyle!