If the veins are dilated, there are contraindications for varicose veins in the legs. You must change your lifestyle, give up bad habits, saunas, intense physical activity and hormonal contraceptives. It is recommended to choose the right shoes and follow a diet. Some types of massages, waxing and tattooing are also prohibited.
What are the contraindications?
Alcohol and smoking
Complications with varicose veins in the legs due to bad habits pose a threat to life.
For varicose veins, alcoholic beverages are strictly contraindicated. Once in the body, alcohol first has a vasodilatory effect, increasing blood flow to the legs. Vasospasm then occurs, which causes blood stagnation. Furthermore, in varicose veins, the vascular walls are weakened and thinned, creating a risk of rupture of the veins and bleeding. Nicotine also contributes to vasoconstriction and the formation of blood clots.
Taking hormonal contraceptives
The use of hormone-based contraceptives causes high levels of progesterone in women, which contributes to the dilation of the veins. As a result, the functioning of venous valves is disturbed, blood flow 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.
Sport activities
If you have varicose veins, it is contraindicated to practice strength sports, as during weight lifting there is a large flow of blood to the lower extremities. Athletics, gymnastics, freestyle skiing, snowboarding and football are also banned. These sports are also highly traumatic. Injuries are always accompanied by swelling and poor circulation, which negatively affects dilated veins. Hiking and swimming are recommended. This helps to strengthen blood vessels and muscles and normalize lymph flow.
Visiting the bathhouse and sauna
Exposure to high temperatures with varicose veins in the lower extremities can be harmful. Hot water and steam help dilate blood vessels as the volume of blood entering them increases. A redistribution of 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. You can go to the bathhouse only at the initial stage of the disease, after consulting a doctor. A trip to the sauna should be replaced by a visit to the infrared cabin.
Diet
For varicose veins, it is recommended to adjust the diet. To thin the blood, you should drink 1. 5–2 liters of clean water per day. What you can and cannot eat is shown in the table:
| Allowed | Prohibited |
|---|---|
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Lifestyle
To live normally with varicose veins in your legs, you must abandon a sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity worsens blood circulation and contributes to obesity. It is recommended to do viable exercises daily that improve blood flow and strengthen muscles:
- rotational movements of the foot;
- roll from heel to toe;
- lifting the leg with the toe extended;
- rolling a ball or stick placed under the foot.
If you have varicose veins, sitting with your legs crossed is strictly prohibited. It is recommended to sleep with varicose veins on your back, placing a cushion or hard pillow under your feet so that your lower limbs are slightly elevated. This will improve blood flow during sleep. It is forbidden to wear leg accessories that compress blood vessels.
Shoe selection
If you have vein inflammation, avoid tight, uncomfortable shoes with high heels. Wearing these shoes impairs the blood supply to the lower extremities, contributes to inadequate load on the legs and causes cramps. It is necessary to correctly choose footwear for varicose veins, following the following recommendations:
- Naturalness of materials. This ensures good ventilation, so that the foot does not sweat and swelling does not occur.
- Appearance. The sole must be stable, rigid and anatomically correct. The heel is wide, not exceeding 4 cm in height.
- Adjustable closure. It is best to choose shoes with laces or Velcro that do not bind your feet.
Massage sessions
If you have varicose veins, you cannot do roller, vacuum or anti-cellulite massage.These procedures are accompanied by pressure, tapping and pinching, which can cause damage to the veins and the formation of blood clots.It is best to remove swelling with light upward movements of the foot. You can use a special vibrating massager or do hydromassage sessions. Such procedures improve blood circulation, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and saturate tissues with oxygen.
Cosmetic procedures
Taking care of your legs for varicose veins is very important. However, you should avoid procedures such as:
- tattoo;
- waxing;
- sweeten;
- hair removal with cosmetic instruments.
Such procedures are performed with heated devices that injure blood vessels and cause a flow of blood to the lower extremities. Tattooing does not solve aesthetic problems and can cause the appearance of new affected areas of the veins. You can disguise varicose veins with the help of sclerotherapy performed by a phlebologist. When caring for the skin on your legs, it is best to use laser hair removal services or a regular razor.