Remember the old adage Prevention is Better than Cure. This also holds true when it comes to preventive care for your leg veins.

10 Easy Things You can do to Protect and Improve Your Leg Health

 
1. If your legs are healthy consider wearing support stockings or support pantyhose instead of regular stockings or pantyhose.  You don’t even have to sacrifice being fashionable because today’s compression and support hosiery comes in many colors and trendy designs.
 
2. If you must wear high heel shoes, don’t wear them all the time.  Give your calf muscles a break.  Continuous wearing of high heeled shoes can literally shorten your calf muscles over time and disable their important “muscle pump” function in helping to pump blood back up your legs to the heart and lungs.  According to medical experts, when wearing high heels you should choose 2 inch heels or smaller and wear them infrequently. Wearing stylish designer support stockings or tights can give your legs an extra boost and keep them from getting tired and sore during a long night on the town.
 
3. Avoid excessive heat from hot baths and showers, hot tubs, sauna or sun bathing just to name a few.  Heat causes the veins to dilate.  It can also weaken the vein walls over time and cause a malfunctioning of the valves inside the veins.
 
4. Maintain a healthy weight.  Excess weight or obesity puts added strain on the vein system.
 
5. Vitamin C is recommended by major medical centers for keeping your veins healthy and in good condition.  Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and can be taken in doses of 500-1000 mg three times each day.
 
6. Rinse your body and legs with cold water after your shower or bath to help keep your veins healthy.
 
7. Avoid high impact sports (e.g. running, racquetball, tennis) because they tend to force the blood down into the legs.  Vein friendly sports include walking, biking, swimming or golfing.
 
8. The added weight and blood volume from a pregnancy can be particularly taxing on your venous system.  Talk to your physician about wearing compression stockings to help prevent spider veins and varicose veins or keep them from worsening if you already had them prior to your pregnancy.
 
9. Consider wearing compression stockings if you have to stand or sit for many hours during the day or if you are traveling long distance by plane, bus or automobile.
 
10. Measure the circumference of your legs and feet frequently in the morning and at night to check for any swelling (edema).  If you notice a difference of more than ½” or so at night you should discuss this with your physician who may advise you to wear compression stockings.

If you liked this post please let us know by clicking the Facebook like button or the G+1 button below. We also appreciate any comments and personal experiences you have to contribute.