Do you have a sedentary lifestyle? This does not mean you should give up on your legs!
Lots of sitting can lead to symptoms of varicose veins, especially as you are getting older. But you can learn how to keep your legs healthy for longer. Find out whether you are at risk – and some tips
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I am sitting a lot in my job and at home - now I have some leg trouble:
When painful signs and symptoms in your legs occur, these may be due to varicose veins. You may suffer from several symptoms which may include
- legs feeling heavy
- swelling in your lower legs
- leg pain after sitting or standing for a long time
- functional limitations of your legs
Please always see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Heavy legs
Swelling in legs
Sitting too much
Functional limitations
Yes, I have some of those symptoms – so what may cause them?
They may be due to weak or damaged valves in your legs. The elastic vein walls in your legs that help pump the blood to your heart have to work against gravity. If these valves are weakened (which can easily happen due to several factors such as age or being overweight) the blood will flow backward instead of towards your heart and pool in the veins. This can cause your veins to stretch or twist. Also, too much sitting, as you described, (and standing) may increase the pressure in the veins of your lower body.
What are the risk factors for varicose veins?
There are several contributing factors. Some of them you can influence - others not:
Your age: The risk of getting varicose veins does increase the older you get. Aging causes the valves that control and regulate your blood flow to weaken. This means the blood will sometimes collect in your veins, where it can then pool instead of flowing back to your heart.
Your sex: This may not be fair, but women are more likely to develop the condition due
to hormonal changes. The hormonal changes of menopause for example can cause the walls of your veins to relax, which can make you more prone to superficial venous insufficiency. (In younger women, pregnancy can be a factor.)
Your weight: Yes, obesity is also a contributor, as additional body weight also means added pressure on your veins.
Your family history: Have any of your other family members had a history of varicose veins or superficial venous insufficiency? Then you have a greater risk that you will as well.
Are you standing or sitting too much?
Sitting at your desk all day or running around and standing on your feet on your job or at home? All of this means your blood will not flow as well.
Always see a doctor for a diagnosis.
Hm, most of these risk factors apply to me. What can I do?
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent varicose veins. What you can do though is improve your self-care: All the measures that you can take to reduce the discomfort and pain of superficial venous disease will also help prevent them! Work on improving circulation and muscle tone in your legs. This can help reduce the risk of getting varicose veins, and the complications that may arise from them later on (such as ulcers, blood clots or bleeding).
- Exercising - you can find some useful exercises to improve blood circulation in your legs here
- Watching your weight
- Watching your diet – try to favor a diet high in fibre and low in salt
- Elevating your legs every now and then
- Regularly changing your sitting and standing positions
Any tips for my aching legs?
Yes, the application of a gel containing heparin such as Lioton 1000 can help you alleviate symptoms of venous insufficiency.
Its active ingredient heparin can help by improving microcirculation and reducing the pain and swelling that comes with varicose veins and superficial venous disease.
LIOTON. FOR THE HEALTH AND COMFORT OF YOUR LEGS
Good to know: Lioton also provides a comforting cooling sensation and is
pleasant to use, absorbed quickly and does not leave any stains.
Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Lioton.
HOW LIOTON® 1000 GEL WORKS IN SUPERFICIAL VENOUS DISEASES
Have you ever wondered how our veins support us every day, how they work and how they become weak? This video will give you a quick overview and will also show you how Lioton® 1000 works to help your veins.