Varicose Veins: An Uphill Climb

Do your legs start hurting as the day goes by? Do you find yourself wearing long pants even on the hottest summer days? Maybe you’re one of the millions of Americans with varicose veins—and no matter what you hear, they’re not just a cosmetic problem, although serious complications are rare.

So what exactly are varicose veins? They’re simply blood vessels that don’t have quite enough strength to push their cargo of blood uphill and back into circulation. After a while, the accumulated blood causes the veins to swell, resulting in varicose veins.

Your legs may feel tired and achy. But there’s also a risk that the poor circulation that accompanies varicose veins can cause ulcers on your lower legs. In most cases, however, you can bolster your veins with some simple strategies that cost little or nothing to use. Here are a few things to try:

1.   Exercise often. The fitter you are, the better your circulatory system will be able to cope with the diminished capacity of your leg veins. It’s best to do an exercise—like yoga, swimming, or walking—which doesn’t put excessive pressure on the lower extremities.

2.   Firm up with stockings. Snug-fitting hose, called compression stockings, are available from drugstores and medical-supply stores. They provide extra support to the walls of blood vessels in the legs, which helps keep blood moving upward. Ask your doctor for a prescription.

3.   Lift your legs. The blood in your legs has to fight gravity to climb all the way back to your heart. Why not reverse the situation and let gravity work for you? To do it, elevate your feet above the level of your heart for a couple of hours each day.

4.   Put your feet up. Sleeping with your feet raised a few inches will give your veins a boost all night long. You can prop your feet on a flat pillow, or put some boards under the foot of your bed. Check with your doctor first, though, since this sleeping position may aggravate some health problems.