Summer is in full swing – the sun, sea tour or a picnic on the river bank… What could be better! But these sunny days can become gloomy because of the problems with veins. What can help make your feet light and beautiful? Varicose veins not only spoil the appearance, they also cause tiredness, swelling and leg fatigue.
Varicose Veins Treatment in Summer
Veins experience a serious burden in hot weather: the outflow of blood from legs to the heart is slowed down, and the tone of veins is reduced. The blood vessels demonstrate an acute reaction to the increased air temperature and its variations. Even when we are resting in the heat, our veins are working heavily. This leads to the worsening of varicose veins: swelling appears and gets more evident, there is a sensation of heaviness and pain in the legs.
- To avoid the aggravation of varicose veins, it is desirable for people with problematic veins to follow a few simple rules in summer:
- Wear comfortable shoes that would not cause much pressure on your feet. The heels should not be longer than 4 cm.
- When walking around the city, relax from time to time and do not try to go everywhere at once.
- Follow the drinking regime: drink about two liters of water throughout the day, especially if you stay in the sun for a long time. This simple method can prevent dehydration, the increase of blood viscosity and other vascular problems.
- Make a habit of washing your feet with cool water every evening or several times a day.
- Take drugs that increase the tone of veins. The best effect will be observed when these medications are taken regularly. The duration of treatment will be defined by a phlebologist.
Sun Tanning & Varicose Veins
Varicose veins can get worse because of too active sun tanning. Elasticity of the vein walls is reduced under the influence of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which increases the risk of developing spider veins, edema, and even thrombosis of varicose veins.
Thus, the people with problematic veins cannot spend the whole day in the sun. However, it is not possible to completely abandon the sun and beach holidays either. One must do everything with measure.
Walk Barefoot on the Beach
Make your veins stronger in the natural environment. Do a natural exercise to stop varicose veins – walk barefoot on the beach. It is especially useful to walk along the shore when the feet and lower legs are washed by cool water. Swimming is an ideal sport for varicose veins.
One can stay in the sun before 11 am and after 17 pm. This is the best and safest time for tanning, because the sun is not too active during these periods.
Long Plane Flights & Varicose Veins
In summer, a number of problems in people with varicose veins can be caused by long flights and transfers. If people stay immobile for a long time, there are unpleasant sensations in the legs, swelling of the legs and feet. The resultant slowing down of the blood flow increases the risk of blood clots. These problems are usually referred to as “economy class syndrome”. However, similar symptoms appear during long trips by car.
How to Prevent Varicose Problems When Traveling
To avoid this trouble, try to follow the rules given below:
- Start taking venotonics 15-30 days before the upcoming trip or a long journey by car.
- Preventive compression hosiery should be worn before the flight or trip.
- Drink plenty of water. Give up alcohol, it provokes fluid retention in the body and increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
- Try to knead feet whenever you have an opportunity. Bend and unbend the legs in the ankle and the knee joint as often as possible. Do circular movements of the feet from heel to toe. You can raise and lower the legs as far as the space permits.
- Air traveling allows you to walk around the aircraft cabin once an hour. While traveling by car, make stops every one and a half or two hours and walk briskly during 5-10 minutes. Change your posture while sitting as often as possible.
