Excerpted from "A Year of Health Hints"
365 Practical Ways to Feel Better and Live Longer
Varicose veins are swollen and twisted veins that look blue
and are close to the surface of the skin. They are unsightly and
uncomfortable. Veins bulge, throb, and feel heavy. The lower legs
suffer the most, and sometimes your ankles may swell.
To relieve varicose veins:
Don't cross your
legs when sitting.
Keep your weight
down.
Avoid standing for
prolonged periods of time. If your job requires you to stand,
alternate your
weight from one leg to
the other every few minutes.
Wear elastic
support stockings.
Don't wear
clothing or undergarments that are tight or constrict your waist,
groin, or legs.
Eat high-fiber
foods like bran cereals, whole grain breads, beans, fruits, and
vegetables to promote
regularity.
(Constipation contributes to varicose veins.)
To prevent
swelling, cut your salt intake.
Exercise
regularly. Walking is a good choice.
Exercise your legs
when you are sitting too. Rotate your feet at the ankles, turning
them first
clockwise, then
counterclockwise, using a circular motion. Next, extend your legs
forward and
point your toes to the
ceiling, then the floor. Then, lift your feet off the floor and
gently bend your
legs back and forth at
the knees.
Whenever possible,
keep your legs propped up on a footstool or a chair in front of
you.
Varicose veins aren't usually serious. If a rash or sores
develop on the leg, contact your doctor. (See the discussion of
phlebitis in Tip 71 in chapter 2, Major Medical Conditions:
Prevention, Detection, and Treatment.)