If the veins are dilated, there are contraindications for varicose veins on the legs. You should change your lifestyle, give up bad habits, saunas, heavy physical activity and hormonal contraceptives. It is recommended to choose the right shoes and follow a diet. Some types of massage, waxing and tattooing are also prohibited.
What are the contraindications?
Alcohol and smoking
Complications with varicose veins in the legs due to bad habits are life-threatening.
Alcoholic drinks are strictly contraindicated for varicose veins. In the body, alcohol initially has a vasodilatory effect and increases blood flow to the legs. Then vasospasm occurs, which causes blood stagnation. In addition, with varicose veins, the vessel walls are weakened and thinner, so there is a risk of vein rupture and bleeding. Nicotine also contributes to vasoconstriction and the formation of blood clots.
Taking hormonal contraceptives
The use of hormone-based contraceptives leads to high levels of progesterone in women, which contributes to the dilation of the veins. As a result, the function of the venous valves is disrupted, blood outflow worsens and the tone of the vascular walls decreases. Hormonal contraceptives also increase the viscosity of blood plasma, which leads to the formation of blood clots.
Sports
If you have varicose veins, it is contraindicated to do weight training, as lifting heavy loads causes strong blood flow to the lower extremities. Athletics, gymnastics, freestyle skiing, snowboarding and football are also banned. These sports are also very traumatic. Injuries are always accompanied by swelling and circulatory problems, which have a negative effect on the enlarged veins. Hiking and swimming are recommended. This helps to strengthen blood vessels and muscles and normalize lymphatic drainage.
Visit to the bathhouse and sauna
High temperatures can be harmful for varicose veins of the lower extremities. Hot water and steam help dilate blood vessels as the volume of blood entering them increases. A redistribution of the load occurs when healthy veins take over the function of the affected vessels. This leads to the formation of varicose veins in the deep veins. Visiting the bathhouse is possible only in the initial stages of the disease after consulting a doctor. A sauna session should be replaced by a visit to the infrared cabin.
diet
If you have varicose veins, a change in diet is recommended. To thin the blood, you should drink 1. 5-2 liters of clean water every day. The table shows what you can and cannot eat:
| Allowed | Forbidden |
|---|---|
|
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way of life
To live normally with varicose veins on your legs, you should give up a sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity worsens blood circulation and contributes to obesity. It is recommended to perform practical exercises every day that improve blood circulation and strengthen muscles:
- rotational movements of the foot;
- roll from heel to toe;
- Raising the leg with the toe extended;
- Rolling a ball or stick placed under the foot.
If you have varicose veins, it is strictly forbidden to sit cross-legged. It is recommended to sleep with varicose veins on your back and place a bolster or hard pillow under your feet so that your lower limbs are slightly elevated. This improves blood circulation while you sleep. It is forbidden to wear accessories on the legs that pinch blood vessels.
Shoe selection
If you have phlebitis, you should avoid tight, uncomfortable shoes with high heels. Wearing such shoes impairs the blood supply to the lower extremities, contributes to incorrect loading of the legs and leads to cramps. You need to correctly choose shoes for varicose veins, observing the following recommendations:
- Naturalness of the materials. This ensures good ventilation so that the foot does not sweat and no swelling occurs.
- Look. The sole must be stable, stiff and anatomically correct. The heel is wide and no higher than 4 cm.
- Adjustable closure. It's better to choose shoes with laces or Velcro that won't pinch your feet.
Massage sessions
If you have varicose veins, you cannot do roller, vacuum or anti-cellulite massage.Such procedures involve pressing, tapping and pinching, which can lead to vein injuries and the formation of blood clots.It is better to remove swelling with light stroking movements from the foot upwards. You can use a special vibration massager or undergo a hydromassage session. Such procedures improve blood circulation, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and saturate tissues with oxygen.
Cosmetic procedures
Taking care of your legs if you have varicose veins is very important. However, you should avoid procedures such as:
- Tattoo;
- hair removal with wax;
- Sugar;
- Hair removal with cosmetic instruments.
Such procedures are performed using heated devices that injure blood vessels and cause a rush of blood to the lower extremities. Tattooing does not solve aesthetic problems and can provoke the appearance of new affected vein areas. With the help of sclerotherapy by a phlebologist, you can hide varicose veins. When caring for the skin of your legs, it is better to use laser hair removal services or a regular razor.