The veins in your legs are responsible for moving the blood back up to your heart. Sometimes, though, the valves in these veins don’t work properly and blood moves in the opposite direction. As a result, blood pools in the legs and causes a condition known as venous insufficiency.
Here are a few tips to help with venous insufficiency – even during the holidays and special occasions.
Wear Compression Stockings as Recommended
If your doctor recommends you wear compression stockings during the day for venous insufficiency, you should heed this advice – even during the holidays and special occasions. You may be on your feet a great deal, and you don’t want blood to remain in your legs while you’re doing so. While compression stockings may get in the way of you dressing up, it is best to wear them for your comfort and health.
Limit Your Sodium Intake
Inflammation can worsen venous insufficiency by causing excess pressure on the veins in your legs. This can contribute to ulcerations from venous insufficiency. You can reduce the amount of swelling you have in your legs by limiting how much salt you consume. If you’re the one cooking on a particular holiday, don’t add too much salt to your dishes. Instead, use seasonings to give your dishes flavor and let your guests add salt if they would like.
Take a Break When Needed
You don’t want to sit or stand for too long. If you’re in a situation where you have to sit for a prolonged period, such as if you’re traveling, make sure you’re moving your legs frequently. This can help keep blood flowing, so it doesn’t pool in your legs. On the other hand, if you’re in the kitchen cooking, make sure you sit down and elevate your legs every so often, so you don’t continuously put pressure on your legs.
Exercise Regularly
You may be busy over holidays and special occasions, but you still need to take into consideration your health during this time. Take time to exercise as much as you can. Ultimately, you want to aim for at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. Walking is an excellent exercise for your condition, and you can even invite your friends and family to join you during the holiday break.
Watch Your Caloric Intake
While it’s difficult to regulate how much you eat when there are cakes, cookies, wine, gravy, and various other foods surrounding you, holidays and special occasions are not a time to give up on healthy eating habits completely.
Partake in a few foods that are high in calories, but try to consume mostly protein and nutrient-rich foods. Take only small portions of unhealthy foods. If you’re cooking, research delicious low-calorie menu options. Keep in mind that extra weight adds to the pressure on your legs, so regulate your weight as much as possible, all year round.
Elevate Your Legs at the End of the Day
At the end of the night when you’re all done with the hustle and bustle of a busy day, elevate your legs. Ideally, you want your legs higher than your heart. Gravity takes effect when you do this, and the fluid in your legs travels back to your heart.
How a Practitioner from Our Irmo, SC Internal Medicine Practice Can Help
The doctors at SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation, LLC understand the intricate inner workings of your body and can provide you with advice on your particular condition or need. We are experienced and have an unbelievable level of dedication to our patients’ health and wellness.
Book an appointment to better manage your venous insufficiency by contacting SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation, LLC, serving Irmo and the surrounding region, today at (803) 749-1111. You may also use our convenient online form!
