Causes of Spider Veins
A majority of people above the age of 60 experience the swelling of the veins, which become prominent beneath the surface of the skin and looks like a web of raised lines. A good number of pregnant women and overweight people also experience this problem. The problem is also known to be partly hereditary in nature. The swollen veins look dark purple or bluish in color and often cause a hot, heavy, throbbing sensation. Mostly, veins in the thighs, calves and legs are affected by this condition as they bear the body weight and consequently experience excessive pressure. Sometimes, the ankles and feet may become swollen and painful if a person keeps standing for too long in this condition. The reason behind this condition is that as one ages, the one-way valves in the superficial become dysfunctional, causing blood to accumulate and even flow downwards through these veins. This makes them look swollen and leads to the symptoms mentioned above.
Tips to Prevent Spider Veins
Though it is difficult to cure chronic cases of spider veins completely, there are a few simple tips that you may follow to lessen the intensity of the symptoms. You should take care not to keep standing or walking for too long at a stretch. This creates undue pressure on your legs and worsens the problem. Rest your legs periodically by sitting or lying down, but also ensure that they do not remain stationary for too long, as this might lead to obstruction of normal blood circulation and thereby increase the swelling of the veins. Light forms of exercise such as taking short walks or practicing yoga are also useful. It is advisable to only practice yoga if supervised by a professional trainer and recommended by your physician. A simple exercise involving the ankles and calf muscles is especially useful in this regard. Sit straight with your legs spread out vertically in front and in direct contact with the floor. Now move your feet forwards and backwards, and then in slow circular motions, supporting them on your heels, for 10 minutes. This relieves pain and swelling in the veins by improving blood circulation in the leg.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting trousers as these impede easy blood circulation and increase the swelling. Wearing support stockings and compression belts may also help if you do need to walk or stand for a long time. Include natural sources of vitamins C and K such as citrus fruits, oranges, tomatoes, blueberries and grapefruit in your diet in order to strengthen your blood vessels. A simple remedy for lessening pain and swelling gradually is to soak a piece of cotton cloth in apple cider vinegar and apply it over the affected area for half an hour twice a day.
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