Yesterday's post discussed lifestyle and other factors that can lead to developing varicose veins. Today we cover simple ways to help prevent vascular problems in the legs:
Get regular physical activity. This not only promotes healthy circulation, but can help to discourage weight gain and obesity, which are associated with increased risk of varicose veins.
Leg placement. Avoiding long periods of inactive standing or crossing your legs while sitting and try to elevate your legs whenever possible.
Although considered a supplement here, horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE) is widely prescribed in Europe for chronic venous insufficiency, a syndrome that may include leg swelling, varicose veins, leg pain, itching, and skin ulcers. The active ingredient in HCSE is believed to be escin, a compound that helps support normal vessel wall functioning.
So many women are overweight or obese these days that a surprising number of them just don't see a problem: a new study reveals that nearly 25 percent of overweight women mistakenly describe their weight as "normal." Their views aren't based on numbers on the scale, but on how they perceive themselves, say researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. The researchers noted that more than half of reproductive-aged women in the United States are considered overweight or obese by body mass index (BMI) standards, and that 82 percent of African-American women and 75 percent of Mexican American women meet the criteria for being overweight or obese. The investigators analyzed data on more than 2,200 women 18 to 25 years old. In addition to BMI, they collected information from the women about their weight perceptions and weight-related behaviors such as dieting, skipping meals, smoking cigarettes, avoiding carbohydrates and exercise. The study was published in the December, 2010, issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.