If the veins are enlarged, there are contraindications for varicose veins in the legs. You need to change your lifestyle, give up bad habits, sauna, heavy physical activity and hormonal contraceptives. It is recommended to choose the right shoes and follow a diet. Some types of massages, waxing and tattoos 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 initially has a vasodilating effect, increasing blood flow to the legs. Then vasospasm occurs, which provokes blood stagnation. In addition, with varicose veins, the vascular walls are weakened and thinned, so there is a risk of vein rupture and bleeding. Nicotine also contributes to vasoconstriction and blood clot formation.
Taking hormonal contraceptives
The use of hormonal contraceptives provokes high levels of progesterone in women, which contributes to the expansion of veins. As a result, the functioning of the venous valves is interrupted, the 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.
Sports activities
If you have varicose veins, it is contraindicated to engage in strength sports, as during heavy lifting there is a large flow of blood in the lower extremities. Athletics, gymnastics, freestyle skiing, snowboarding and football are also prohibited. These sports are also very traumatic. Damage is always accompanied by swelling and poor circulation, which negatively affects varicose veins. Walking and swimming are recommended. This helps to strengthen the blood vessels and muscles and to normalize the flow of lymph.
Visit to the bath and sauna
Exposure to high temperatures with varicose veins of 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 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. You can visit the spa only in the initial stage of the disease after consulting a doctor. A trip to the sauna should be replaced with a visit to the infrared cabin.
diets
For varicose veins, it is recommended to adjust your diet. To dilute 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 |
|---|---|
|
|
Way of life
To live normally with varicose veins in the legs, you need to give up a sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity worsens blood circulation and contributes to obesity. It is recommended to do feasible exercises every day that improve blood circulation and strengthen muscles:
- rotational movements of the leg;
- roll from heel to toe;
- raising the leg with an extended toe;
- spinning a ball or stick placed underfoot.
If you have varicose veins, it is strictly forbidden to sit with your legs crossed. It is recommended to sleep with varicose veins on the back, placing a pillow or a firm pillow under the legs so that the lower limbs are slightly elevated. This will improve blood circulation during sleep. It is forbidden to wear accessories on the legs that tighten the blood vessels.
Choice of shoes
If you have inflammation of the veins, you should avoid tight and uncomfortable shoes with high heels. Wearing such shoes damages the blood supply to the lower extremities, contributes to the improper load on the feet and provokes cramps. You should choose shoes for varicose veins correctly, adhering to the following recommendations:
- The nature of the materials. This ensures good ventilation, so that the foot does not sweat and swelling does not appear.
- The exterior. The nail must be stable, rigid and anatomically correct. The heel is wide, no more than 4 cm high.
- Adjustable clip. It is better to choose shoes with laces or Velcro that do not constrict your feet.
Massage sessions
If you have varicose veins, you cannot do roller massage, vacuum or anti-cellulite massage.Such procedures are accompanied by pressure, touching and squeezing, which can lead to damage to the veins and the formation of blood clots.It is better to remove the swelling with light strokes from the leg up. You can use a special vibrating massager or undergo 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:
- tatoo;
- hair removal using wax;
- sugaring;
- hair removal using cosmetic instruments.
Such procedures are performed with hot devices that damage blood vessels and cause blood to flow to the lower extremities. Tattoos do not solve aesthetic problems and can provoke the appearance of new affected areas of veins. You can mask varicose veins with the help of sclerotherapy performed by a phlebologist. When taking care of the skin of the legs, it is better to use laser hair removal services or a regular razor.