Arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your tissues. Veins return blood from the rest of your body to your heart, so the blood can be recirculated. To accomplish this important task, the veins in your legs must work against gravity, and varicose veins can make their job even more difficult.<\/p>\n
Factors like age, pregnancy, standing or sitting for too long, and obesity, can cause varicose veins in your legs, but by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and reducing risk factors, the problem can be avoided! Read on to learn the tips and tricks to keeping your veins – and your body – healthy and happy.<\/span><\/p>\n Run, walk, bike, anything!<\/b><\/p>\n Exercise is key to keeping your body healthy, we all know that. If you\u2019re exercising regularly, even for small intervals, it can make a world of difference on your body long-term, including reducing your risk of varicose veins. Regular physical activity improves your leg strength, circulation, and vein health. If you see those dark blue veins coming through, start focusing on exercises that really work out your legs.<\/span><\/p>\n Keep an eye on your weight (and diet)!<\/b><\/p>\n Varicose veins can develop based on factors that are out of your control. However, a few things you can control are keeping an eye on your weight and the type of foods you\u2019re eating to fuel your body. Be sure to eat a variety of complex carbohydrates (oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat bread), protein (meat, cheese, milk), and healthy fats (avocados, eggs, nuts) – these are crucial!<\/span><\/p>\n Obesity is one of the highest contributing factors to varicose veins, since it increases pressure put on your legs and the higher pressure inside your veins causes circulatory issues. Take the time to practice healthy lifestyle choices and you\u2019ll be sure to see positive changes in your body!<\/span><\/p>\n Avoid sitting or standing for long periods.<\/b><\/p>\n Staying in one position for too long, like sitting or standing, makes it harder for your blood to travel through the veins in your legs against the pull of gravity. This will cause the pressure in your veins to rise. If you find yourself in an environment where you can\u2019t help but sit or stand for long periods of time, make it a point to take little breaks. For example, if you\u2019re stuck sitting at a desk all day, do small exercises like peddling your feet, stretching your ankles, or bending your knees. Any movement will improve your blood circulation.<\/span><\/p>\n Consider what you\u2019re wearing.<\/b><\/p>\n Did you know wearing tight clothing can cause a significant decrease in circulation? Try your best to avoid wearing tight clothes around your waist especially, as this type of clothing often reduces blood flow. Also, if you are a high-heel lover, it might be time to switch to flats! Low-heeled shoes help to work your calf-muscles, which is better for your veins. <\/span><\/p>\n A little adjustment to your wardrobe can go a long way toward reducing your chances of varicose veins.<\/span><\/p>\n Many think that varicose veins can\u2019t be avoided, but this couldn\u2019t be farther from the truth! If you make a point of making healthy lifestyle choices, you can be certain your body will reap the benefits. Our team at Muskegon Surgical Associates is here to help you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. To learn more about our services, visit the <\/span>MSA website<\/span> or contact us at 231-739-9461.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Arteries carry blood from your heart to the rest of your tissues. Veins return blood from the rest of your body to your heart, so the blood can be recirculated. To accomplish this important task, the veins in your legs must work against gravity, and varicose veins can make their job even more difficult. Factors…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n