For many people, varicose veins on the legs or other parts of the body are an aesthetic concern that doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort. However, varicose veins are painful for other people and often come with problematic side effects such as cramping in the legs, ulcers, eczema, inflammation, or skin damage.
The Most Painful Cases of Varicose Veins
A smaller subset of the population suffering from varicose veins deals with varicose veins’ appearance in the feet. Varicose veins that appear in the feet can be incredibly painful, and at times excruciating. Standing or walking can become impossible for some people because physical movement places direct stress on the area most affected by the varicose veins.
Causes of Varicose Veins in Feet
While varicose veins in the feet have been known to appear as a side effect of pregnancy or extreme stress, the main underlying causes of varicose veins in the feet are obesity, poor nutrition, and a sedentary lifestyle. With this in mind, treating varicose veins that appear in the feet is somewhat more involved simply because the causes of the problem are such that they can’t be immediately corrected.
Treating Varicose Veins in Your Feet
If your doctor determines that obesity or a sedentary lifestyle is the chief underlying cause of varicose veins in your feet, then the first order of business should be to draw up a long-term diet and nutrition plan that begins to resolve these underlying issues. If your varicose veins’ underlying causes are determined to be lifestyle factors, then proper nutrition over the long term should be your first priority.
But even if the treatment of the varicose veins in your feet is going to involve some attempt to correct the underlying lifestyle habits that contributed to the problem in the first place, this does not mean that you have no options for treatment to deal with the problem on a more immediate basis.
With this in mind, it should be noted that treating varicose veins in the feet is simple and can be done by incorporating some basic practices into your daily routine:
- Elevate your legs above your heart whenever you can: this is a quick and effective way to maintain adequate blood drainage in the legs. The most effective way to do this can vary from person to person, but it can be done standing or resting against a wall or resting your legs on a pillow or a couple of couch cushions.
- Massage your feet: use essential oils such as cypress, rose, or almond oil.
- Wear compression socks whenever possible: they maintain adequate blood flow while also reducing swelling.
- Stay active to whatever extent possible: walking or moving may be painful, but a limited degree of movement prevents stiffness and maintains blood flow.
- Relax: avoid stressful situations.
If you’re suffering from varicose veins of the feet, call Metropolitan Vein & Aesthetic Center today.
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