![Your veins are responsible for transporting blood back to the heart in one direction through the support of valves and the muscles supporting the veins. When problems occur with these valves, blood flows backward and pools within the veins. Pooling leads to enlarged, often blue or red veins that rise above the skin. They resemble a bulging and twisting cord, most often on the legs. Often, they are associated with pain, leg heaviness, restless legs, burning and itching skin and general achiness. Varicose veins affect as many as 20 percent of all adults at some point in their life. While your family history can predispose you to varicose veins, your lifestyle often has more of an impact on your varicose vein risk. It doesn't matter if you are in your 20s or 60s, how you take care of your veins can make a big difference. Starting healthy vein habits early can help you reduce your risk. Get Up from Your Desk and Pamper Your Legs Sitting or standing for long periods of time can be detrimental to your vein health. Staying in one position for extended times, such as sitting behind a desk for eight hours a day, places pressure on various parts of the body that can put stress on the veins, increasing your risk of developing varicose veins. [pullquote]Getting up from your desk every 30 minutes and simply doing some stretches can help reduce your risk of developing varicose veins.[/pullquote] If you work behind a desk all day, it is essential to get up and move on a regular basis. This can be as simple as standing for a phone call or getting up to talk with a coworker instead of sending in-office communications. If getting up isn’t an option, try simple desk stretches throughout the day to promote good blood flow. Also, take time to pamper your veins, elevating them above your heart for 30 minutes, four times a day. Participate in a Regular Exercise Program A regular exercise routine is an effective way to reduce your risk of varicose veins. This doesn’t mean you need to hit the gym every day. Daily walking is enough to minimize the risk of varicose veins by increasing blood flow and strengthening the calf muscles that support blood flow through the veins. Regular walking doesn’t just benefit your heart and muscles. A 2017 study in Experimental Biology showed that regular walking and the impact of your feet during walking sends pressure waves through your veins that increases the blood flow to the brain. Follow a Healthy Diet As you know, a healthy diet contributes to overall good health, but what you eat can also make a big difference in your vein health. Eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, for example, provide your body with increased levels of bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids provide an abundance of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help to reduce swelling and strengthen the collagen in your vein walls. Including fiber in your diet helps to reduce the risk of high cholesterol which can also affect your veins and blood flow. Being sure to stay hydrated is also essential. When you drink water throughout the day, your blood is thinner and able to flow better. When your blood is thick due to dehydration, blood flow becomes compromised and can contribute to varicose veins. Following a healthy diet and staying hydrated can reduce the risk of varicose veins and the need for varicose vein treatment. Maintain a Healthy Weight Maintaining a healthy weight significantly reduces your risk of developing varicose veins. When you carry excess weight, it places a strain on your cardiovascular system, and your veins may struggle to pump blood from the lower legs back to the heart. Say Goodbye to Cigarettes If you smoke, chances are you already know it isn't good for your overall health. But did you know that smoking also contributes to your risk of developing varicose veins? When you smoke, your blood vessels must work harder to pump blood back to your heart, often straining the veins and contributing to the damage. This damage can lead to blood pooling and varicose veins. Quitting smoking will greatly reduce your risk of developing varicose veins as well as help to improve your overall health.](https://beautysmoothie.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2020/01/Vein-Co-BS-Article-Jan20-768x512.jpg.webp)
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