Under the expert guidance of our Board Certified Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Mark Zuzga, our team of Vein Specialists & Vascular Experts are committed to delivering top-tier outpatient vascular & vein evaluation and treatment throughout the greater Tampa & West Florida surrounding areas. Should you find yourself dealing with leg pain, swelling, ulcers, discoloration, or the appearance of spider and varicose veins, we invite you to request a screening todayWeight Management Tips for Preventing Varicose Veins
While not all factors that predispose you to varicose veins can be helped – gender, age, genetics – there are, fortunately, a few that can. One such lifestyle choice that is under your control is that of obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight. Not only can this potentially prevent varicose veins from forming in the first place, but it can also alleviate many of the uncomfortable symptoms of varicose veins if you are already affected.
Most people desire to lose weight at some point or another, but when it comes to venous insufficiency, losing weight can actually save your life. If left untreated, venous insufficiency can lead to deep vein thrombosis, which can in turn become deadly if blood clots form, break off, and travel to the heart or lungs.
Unfortunately, losing weight and keeping it off is often easier said than done. However, by incorporating a few simple tricks into your daily routine, the process can go by much more smoothly.
1. Walk whenever possible. Exercise can be hard, especially if you’re overweight or out of shape to begin with, but simply making the choice to walk to nearby places instead of driving can make a difference. On a similar note, when presented with the option to take an elevator, always opt for stairs instead.
2. Find healthy substitutes. One of the hardest parts of dieting can be giving up some of your favorite foods, but there is generally a healthy equivalent for everything. If you have a sweet tooth, for example, try trading in your bag of candy or slice of cake for a tasty fruit salad instead.
3. Get physical. Exercise doesn’t always have to be boring and it certainly doesn’t have to be routine – in fact, it can be so fun that you forget you’re exercising at all. Simply do physical activities that you also happen to enjoy, such as kayaking, biking, or dancing, and you’ll feel healthier and happier at the same time.
4. Drink lots of water. Drinking water can help keep your appetite under control and doesn’t contain all the harmful sugar and calories found in soda and artificially sweetened fruit juices. Not only that, it also keeps your mouth busy and your mind distracted, as well as allowing you to stay physically active longer during exercise.
5. Work in smaller portions. If you’re used to eating many meals or a high-calorie diet, cutting back drastically and immediately can be difficult and extremely unhealthy. Remember to take your time and work yourself down slowly so that your body can adjust along with you.
6. Avoid drinking alcohol. While research has shown that red wine can be healthy when drank in moderation, when abused it never does anyone any good, especially if that person is trying to lose weight and get in shape. Add to this that many alcoholic beverages contain high levels of sugar and empty calories, and it’s easy to see why.
7. Stay busy. Too often, binge eating occurs as a result of boredom – people eat simply because there is nothing else to do or they need to keep their hands and mouths busy while watching TV. Keeping yourself occupied can not only ensure you get enough physical activity but can also eliminate those idle moments when you might be tempted to eat simply to alleviate boredom.
8. Develop a routine. Keeping an exercise and diet regimen on track can be a difficult task. For many it can be helpful to establish clear rules and routines, such as eating meals at the same times each day or not allowing certain foods in the house.
9. Encourage friends and family to join you. Even if your exercise or diet companions aren’t affected by varicose veins, getting healthy and in shape never hurt anyone. Working together towards a goal will help you stay motivated, and who knows, they may thank you for it later on.
10. Practice patience. Remember, changes to your body and health won’t happen overnight, and you are unlikely to notice a change in the physical appearance of your varicose veins without additional medical treatments. But if you give it time and stay on track, you are almost guaranteed to feel better and healthier in the long run.
If you’d like more information about how to manage your weight as it pertains to your varicose veins and venous insufficiency, or to learn more about other lifestyle choices you can make to prevent such conditions, schedule an appointment with Dr. Zuzga of West Florida Vein Center today by calling (727) 712-3233.