If you have varicose veins, you must strictly follow all the doctor’s prescriptions and know what not to do with this disease.If you do not comply with a number of restrictions and do not eliminate the influence of negative external factors, the manifestations of varicose veins will only progress.
Varicose veins are not only a cosmetic defect that many try to hide under clothing, but also a serious pathology.Therefore, doctors call this condition varicose veins.Changes in the veins in the legs, and sometimes in other areas (lower abdomen, chest) require constant medical supervision.
The patient must strictly follow all the phlebologist’s prescriptions and know what not to do with varicose veins of the legs.If you do not comply with a number of restrictions and do not eliminate the influence of negative external factors, the manifestations of the disease (deformation of the venous walls, blood stagnation, expansion of the lumen of the veins) will only progress.
If the patient does not take into account possible contraindications for varicose veins on the legs, the effectiveness of the prescribed drug therapy will decrease and the risk of complications will increase.The key question that a patient should ask a doctor after making a diagnosis is: what is prohibited for varicose veins of the lower extremities, what foods, manipulations or loads are prohibited and why?The specialist will tell you in detail what restrictions you should adhere to, recommend useful articles and resources where you can get reliable information.
What foods should you not eat if you have varicose veins?
When discussing nutrition, the doctor will specifically focus on foods prohibited for varicose veins of the legs.The intake of some foods only needs to be limited, and it is better to avoid some dishes and drinks altogether, so as not to worsen the condition of the veins.
- Flour and sweet products.Small amounts are acceptable, but you should limit the intake of foods rich in light carbohydrates.Excess calories with excessive consumption of baked goods and sweets threatens overweight and obesity, which increases the load on the legs and impairs blood circulation.
- Dishes with animal fats and trans fats.It is worth limiting fried foods and dishes with butter.And trans fats are food products that are on the list of what you should not eat if you have varicose veins.Excess fat threatens pathological weight gain and changes in the tone of the vascular wall.
- Spicy and highly salty dishes.This is another group of foods that you should not eat if you have varicose veins.They retain water in the veins, causing swelling, especially in the lower extremities.The retention of excess fluid in the vessels increases pressure on the walls of the veins, expanding and deforming them even more.
- Alcohol.You should not believe the myths that small doses of alcohol are good for blood vessels.Ethyl alcohol and its metabolic products briefly dilate, but then greatly constrict blood vessels.Thinned venous walls may suffer from excess load, and inflammatory processes are possible.In addition, alcohol increases the risk of blood clots in the veins.
- Coffee.Doctors recommend avoiding this drink or limiting it to 1-2 small cups per day.But why shouldn’t coffee be used for varicose veins?The biologically active substances in coffee inhibit intestinal peristalsis, causing constipation, which is dangerous for hemorrhoids and varicose veins in the legs.
- Drinks with chicory.Patients have a logical question: why can’t you drink chicory if you have varicose veins, since it doesn’t contain caffeine?The plant compounds in this drink help thin the blood, actively dilate blood vessels, and increase the permeability of the vascular wall.This worsens the course of the disease.
What exercises should you not do if you have varicose veins?
Although physical activity for varicose veins is necessary, it should be moderate and proper exercise.It is important to discuss with your phlebologist what exercises you should not do if you have varicose veins in your legs.The danger comes from those sports and exercises that increase the load on the leg muscles (strength training, weight lifting) and the impact load (jumping, squats, running).
What sports should you not do if you have varicose veins?
- any type of weightlifting;
- volleyball and football in the presence of protruding veins (in the early stages of varicose veins, non-professional activities are acceptable provided that elastic bandaging is used before the game);
- sprint, marathon types of running.
What exercises are not allowed for varicose veins of the legs:
- it is important to give up squats;
- Jumping rope, step aerobics, and trampoline are not allowed.
All the prohibited exercises described above for varicose veins increase the load on the walls of the veins, contribute to blood stagnation and can lead to the development of complications (thrombophlebitis, thrombosis).
Is it possible to massage your legs if you have varicose veins?
Any mechanical effects, especially rubbing and squeezing of veins, negatively affect the condition of the vascular wall, provoke its damage, and create conditions for thrombus formation.Therefore, to the question whether it is possible to do vacuum, anti-cellulite, lymphatic drainage massage with cups or a brush for varicose veins, the doctor will definitely answer in the negative.
Bath and sauna for varicose veins
Although contrasting foot and shower baths are recommended for varicose veins, which train the venous wall and improve blood flow, this does not apply to visiting the sauna and bathhouse.High temperatures help slow blood flow in the veins and can provoke damage to the walls and the formation of blood clots and edema.
Is it possible to do a body wrap for varicose veins?
Any thermal effects negatively affect the condition of the venous walls and blood circulation.But for some other procedures there is no prohibition.When asked whether it is possible to do a cold wrap for varicose veins, use light scrubs or creams, gels, the doctor will answer in the affirmative.If this effect only affects the superficial layers of the skin without pressure, compression of the limbs or twisting, such procedures are not prohibited.
Is it possible to do hair removal for varicose veins?
If you have been diagnosed with varicose veins, you can remove unwanted hair on your legs using a razor (carefully, without cutting the skin) or depilatory cream.These are the safest ways to remove unwanted hair.You can also do laser and electrolysis for varicose veins, but you must first consult with your doctor.
Mechanical hair removal (tweezers or epilator) is unacceptable, especially in the later stages.Methods such as hair removal with wax, sugar paste (sugaring) and photoepilation also cause a lot of controversy.
Why can't you do sugaring for varicose veins?The most key problems with these methods are exposure to heat and mechanical damage to the upper layers of the skin.Therefore, the use of these methods should be discussed with a doctor, based on existing complaints and the stage of varicose veins.
General recommendations for varicose veins
For varicose veins, it is important to constantly monitor a phlebologist, follow all recommendations and take the necessary medications.Varicose veins require major changes to your usual lifestyle.Without them, the effect of the medications will not be as noticeable, and complications are likely.Recommended:
- Move as much as possible, and, if possible, give up sedentary work and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Limit heavy physical activity, heavy lifting, straining, and increased intra-abdominal pressure.
- Adjust your diet to prevent constipation and diarrhea.They negatively affect blood circulation in the veins of the pelvis and lower extremities.A balanced diet is no less important for getting all the necessary nutrients, vitamin and mineral components, and limiting the intake of empty calories that lead to excess weight.
- Give up bad habits that negatively affect vascular tone and blood circulation.
- Wear compression garments if recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Get proper rest, sleep at least 8 hours.During sleep and rest, your legs should be in an elevated position.This facilitates the outflow of blood from the lower extremities.
- Perform gymnastics and contrast foot baths to tone the walls of the veins.
- Use all medications prescribed by your doctor in strict accordance with the treatment regimen, without changing medications at your discretion.
- Avoid attempts to self-medicate varicose veins with dubious folk recipes.Any therapeutic measures should be discussed with a doctor.