People who suffer from poor circulation must understand how cold weather can be potentially harmful. Scientists have observed that cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and pulmonary embolism occur more commonly during the winter months, calling it the winter cardiovascular disease phenomenon. In theory, winter should benefit varicose veins because colder temperatures can actually make the veins shrink allowing the valves to perform better and have positive effects on veins. But several factors unique to wintertime could have adverse effects on varicose veins, making the cold still not ideal for veins, needing to visit a laser vein clinic near me.
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Effects of temperature changes on circulation and varicose veins
Exposure to cold temperatures during winters, accompanied by changes in atmospheric pressure can cause blood vessels and muscles to constrict for faster return of blood to the heart. This circulatory system helps the body keep warm. With the sustained dip in temperature, the body needs to work harder to regulate its own temperature. This situation tends to raise heart rate and blood pressure, requiring the heart to work harder. Thermal stress sourced from this process can lead to increased blood viscosity, stickiness, and the formation of blood clots. Veins and arteries constricting during winter can cause the circulatory system to perform less efficiently and create immense strain on patients whose circulation is weak and coronary function is already compromised. This additional demand on the coronary circulation may restrict adequate oxygen supply to the heart, leading to increased risks of cardiovascular events and disorders.
Moving less during winter can flare varicose veins
Warm weather is always favorable for some fun and physical activities in the sun, whereas a plunge in temperature is less likely to motivate outdoor physical activity or to visit the gym. Unfortunately, people are more sedentary during the winter season than usual. The absence of regular outdoor activities such as gardening, walking, or biking can limit the amount of beneficial exercise needed to maintain good blood flow in the legs. In fact, as the weather gets colder outside, people find it more easy and comfortable to stay indoors and feel warm wrapped up in a blanket. People are in no mind to set out to the gym or even workout at the convenience of home. Calf muscles function to help pump blood in the leg veins and failure to workout will only increase the symptoms of varicose veins. This indicates that the chances of vein issues flaring up are higher in winter than at any other time of the year. Cold weather means less activity, which can exacerbate venous insufficiency. Thus, it so happens that a sedentary lifestyle during winter is one of the worst things to happen for veins and one of the leading causes of vein issues.
Weight gain in winter can stress the veins
Weight gain is not only unwanted for circulatory health but also comes with negative consequences on vein health. Less exercise and eating heavy during the winter holiday season can lead to winter weight gain. Valves inside the veins of the legs are already working hard at overcoming gravity to push blood through. Weight gain can create undue stress, making it even harder for these valves to keep blood flowing through these veins, increasing the severity of varicose veins and the need for immediate varicose vein treatment in Chennai.
Here are a few measures to be prepared and handle the winter months better in order to keep varicose vein issues away.
Get moving every day – It is important to stay active and keep the exercise regime going on in winter. Having some warm clothes and shoes to be used in the winter months can help to exercise comfortably in cold weather. If going out is not possible, options include regular walks around the house or office to prevent prolonged sitting or standing, taking in between breaks to use the stairs at the office to facilitate healthy blood circulation or home yoga can invigorate muscles and improve circulation. Elevating the legs and feet above heart level while sitting or lying down can also assist gravity to allow blood flow back into the heart.
Maintain a healthy diet – The nutrients we consume can assist in reducing inflammation of blood vessels caused by varicose veins. Don’t indulge in rich comfort foods during the winter months. Limit the intake of salty foods, sugars, and saturated fats that can promote fluid retention impair vein function. Colorful fruits, vegetables, and foods high in fibre and nutritional content can provide a balanced diet.
Seek remedies for varicose veins – The vein specialist can guide you with the best effective approaches to avoid the discomfort associated with varicose veins. Some of the ways to feel safe from the trouble of exaggerated varicose veins during winter may include:
- – Compression stockings promote circulation and improve venous insufficiency to ease symptoms and discourage new varicose veins from forming, particularly during the colder months. Compressional garments are specially designed with elastic material to gradually tighten and support the surface veins in the lower legs. The pressure applied by the stocking strategically helps to constrict swollen veins and propel the back flow of blood more efficiently.
- – External applications like an ice pack applied to the affected leg area not exceeding fifteen minutes at a time can encourage circulation and ease any painful symptoms. Massaging a daily moisturizer twice a day into the affected area of the leg will stimulate muscles and keep skin healthy to help heal unattractive aberrations of varicose veins on the surface of the skin.
These measures can address current symptoms of varicose veins and prevent future varicose veins from forming but it is impossible to treat a varicose vein without medical intervention. The best time to consider treatment options for varicose veins would be the winter months. Varicose vein laser treatment in Chennai offers a variety of therapies that can be performed to get rid of the abnormal varicose veins that surge with symptoms during winter. Non-surgical laser treatment techniques are comprehensive programs that offer multiple benefits with minimal risks of complications in the treatment of varicose veins.