Lifestyle Changes to Improve Leg Pain from Vein Disorders

Vein disorders are common; it’s estimated that more than 25 million Americans suffer from some type of vein (or venous) disorder. These can be painful and debilitating, but treatment can help alleviate symptoms and prevent you from developing more serious conditions. 

What are Vein Disorders?

Vein disorders are conditions that cause damage to your veins, most often in your legs. A critical part of your circulatory system, veins bring blood back to your heart to be replenished with oxygen. Damage to the veins can cause a number of symptoms and, if untreated, more serious illnesses.

Here at Premier Vein Clinic in Westlake, Ohio, Dr. David Naar is a top-notch, board-certified vascular surgeon who uses his many years of experience to provide you with the best vein care possible. Dr. Naar provides treatment to relieve your pain and discomfort from vein disorders, including performing endovascular operations and cosmetic procedures.

What are the Types of Vein Disorders?

Examples of vein disorders include:

Although each of these vein disorders has its own specific symptoms and concerns, they share similar symptom patterns.

Symptoms of Vein Disorders

Vein disorders can have a number of uncomfortable symptoms that may include:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Skin ulcers
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Weakness
  • Muscle cramps
  • Blood clots
  • Burning
  • Aching throbbing
  • “Charlie Horses”
  • Leg tiredness and heaviness
  • Skin discoloration
  • Bulging and visible veins. 

The exact symptoms you might experience depend on the location and severity of your vein disorder.

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Leg Pain from Vein Disorders

Eat Better

Supporting vein health starts with providing your body with high-quality fuel that’s good for you. Avoid refined sugars and salt, which can put stress on your veins, and eat plenty of fiber, which helps your body avoid cholesterol buildup. Eat foods high in antioxidants, such as berries, buckwheat, and apples.

Get Moving

Getting your blood pumping is good for your vein health as well as your overall health. Exercise tends to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow throughout your body, which helps your entire cardiovascular system function better. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time; spending a prolonged period in the same position is bad for your circulation.

Lose Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important to vein health because being overweight or obese may increase the likelihood of a blockage or other damage in the valves of your leg veins. Losing weight also tends to reduce blood pressure, and high blood pressure can cause vein damage. 

Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes

Although form-fitting clothes can be stylish, having your body squeezed into too-tight clothing can be bad for your circulatory system. All that compression can reduce blood flow, and potentially cause vein problems. Wear loose, flowing clothes that don’t bind any part of your body. 

Use Compression

Your doctor may recommend one form of tight clothing — compression stockings. These can help push the blood away from your feet, where it tends to pool, moving it back toward your heart, where it needs to go. 

You don’t have to live with the pain from a vein disorder. Talk to Dr. Naar about how treatment and lifestyle changes can support and improve your vein health. To set up an appointment at Premier Vein Clinic, call our office or use our online booking tool today.

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