How To Get Rid Of Varicose Veins And Feel Confident In Your Skin Again

Dietary Changes

Certain lifestyle and dietary changes can help treat varicose veins. Foods high in sodium will cause the body to retain more water, which can, in turn, lead to swelling and pain in the legs. If individuals start eating low-sodium foods instead, they'll minimize their body's overall water retention. It's important to note individuals should not cut out sodium entirely, as it's an essential mineral, and sodium deficiencies can lead to life-threatening complications.

Another dietary change patients can make is adding potassium-rich foods to their diet to reduce water retention. Some potassium-rich foods are leafy vegetables, potatoes, fish like tuna and salmon, white beans, lentils, pistachios, and almonds. Fiber-rich foods help regulate the bowels and prevent constipation, which can subsequently help varicose veins by keeping the patient's muscles and circulatory system from straining.

Avoid Restrictive Clothing

Some patients with varicose veins begin wearing tight and restrictive clothing, mistakenly believing it will have a similar effect to compression socks. But these kinds of clothes have the opposite effect. Individuals with varicose veins should avoid restrictive clothing like skinny jeans, tight elastic socks, girdles, and garters. Unlike compression socks, which are specifically designed to gently squeeze the veins without fully constricting them, tight clothes can cut off or restrict circulation through the legs. Studies have also indicated high heels lead to circulatory problems. When an individual's circulation is poor, the blood tends to pool in the extremities because there's inadequate pressure to pump it back to the heart. If an individual has varicose veins, impeding circulation with tight clothing will only make the veins worse.