8 home remedies for varicose veins

Varicose veins are uncomfortable, enlarged veins that appear for a number of different reasons including pregnancy and family history. Having surgery to correct these veins is not something that people want to immediately try.
By implementing the home remedies below, you may be able to take control of varicose veins and alleviate the discomfort without surgery. You may even be able to prevent getting them in the first place if your family is predisposed to this condition.
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1. Get moving.
WebMD recommends exercise for helping with varicose veins. Because poor circulation is a problem in creating the vein issues, moving around and exercising helps improve the circulation in your legs.
2. Avoid leg crossing.
Crossing your legs puts pressure on them and can create problems with circulation. According to the Mayo Clinic, avoiding crossing your legs may help alleviate varicose vein discomfort.
3. Elevate your legs.
Making time throughout the day to get your legs above your heart can also improve your circulation, according to the Mayo Clinic.
4. Avoid sitting.
Good circulation is key to helping prevent and treat varicose vein issues. Sitting and standing for long periods is hard on the circulation, so Healthline recommends avoiding sitting or standing too long at a time.
5. Control your weight.
Being overweight puts unnecessary pressure on the veins. Keeping yourself at a healthy weight is a Mayo Clinic recommendation.
6. Lose the salt.
Salt makes food taste good, but it also causes the body to retain extra fluid. As the body ages, eliminating the extra fluid gets harder and harder, increasing the likelihood of varicose veins. If you already have varicose veins, the fluid retention caused by too much salt can make the veins even more uncomfortable, notes the Mayo Clinic.
7. Embrace flats.
High heels may look pretty, but the Mayo Clinic says that flats actually "work calf muscles more, which is better for your veins." Avoiding clothing that puts too much pressure around the waist, legs or groin is also recommended.
8. Use compression stockings.
Because avoiding pressure on the legs is recommended, you would think that compression stockings would be out, but Healthline notes that they are tight in the feet and loosen as they go up the leg. This provides good support and encourages circulation which is key in treating varicose veins.
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You don't have to resign yourself to unsightly, painful varicose veins just because everyone else in your family has them. By taking measures ahead of time, you may be able to avoid them altogether.
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RemedyDaily.com does not give medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.