How to deal with varicose veins in summer?

Summer can pose quite a few problems for people with varicose veins: heat, increased risk of dehydration, discomfort from long commutes, and the pressure to constantly appear "beach ready."

Today I'm here to let you know that you don't have to suffer during this difficult season and that if you follow my practical tips, you too can make the most of your vacation!

Are varicose veins worse in summer?

Here we are again at that time of year and summer vacation is well and truly underway. However, while most of us spend the year looking forward to those long-awaited summer vacations, those who suffer from varicose veins may view the arrival of good weather in a completely different light.

Let's start with that well-deserved vacation: Chances are you've booked a week or more by a lake or seaside to relax on a beach somewhere warm.

However, the high summer heat can pose a problem. Heat can sometimes exacerbate your symptoms: you are more likely to suffer from heavy legs and swelling if you expose yourself to the sun. And again, we are only talking about the rise in temperature. That's without taking into account the journey, which can be difficult, with long-haul flights requiring you to spend a lot of time sitting, without being able to stretch your legs or stimulate blood circulation.

Add to that the increased risk of dehydration and social pressure to show off bare legs at the beach, and it's no wonder why people with varicose veins feel so miserable during the summer months!

How can I deal with varicose veins in summer?

When the whole family is preparing for the big vacation and you're feeling less than enthusiastic about it, you can feel very isolated. But there's no reason why you can't make the most of this vacation too! Below are some of my top tips for dealing with symptoms throughout the summer.

The main thing is preparation

If you're heading abroad in search of warmth, air travel is probably your number one concern. After all, you probably know all the risks of sitting still for too long and how it can make your symptoms worse. So how do you deal with it on a long-haul flight? I have already covered this question before in the article Fly with a light heart and a light foot! in which I shared some tips you can follow to try to maintain good blood circulation during the flight.

Firstly, if you can, consider paying a little extra for more leg room: it can make a real difference in allowing you to do some simple exercises to help get the blood flowing. Next, make sure you wear comfortable clothes for the duration of the flight: no super tight jeans please!

You can also consider taking remedies for varicose veins, and above all don't forget to pack them in your suitcases! Be sure to pack our Venaforce gel , a pleasant, soothing formula specially designed for heavy, tired legs. Made with horse chestnut seed extract, it helps improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation. Perfect for travel, you can also use it in addition to our Venaforce horse chestnut tablets !

Also be prepared to board with a few bottles of water — which you'll purchase at the gift shop after you go through security — as hydration is absolutely essential to controlling your symptoms, which brings me to my next point...

Drink, drink, and drink again!

Yes, I know, you've probably heard this refrain a thousand times before, but drinking lots of water is really, really important, especially in the summer when you naturally sweat more.

On vacation, whether you're traveling abroad or staying at home, you'll also likely have more opportunities to socialize, so I'm not saying you should boycott alcohol completely, but think about the inflammatory effect that it can have on your body and try to limit your consumption.

Think about your clothes

It's the middle of summer and it seems like everyone is wearing summer shorts, skirts and dresses. You, on the other hand, may be reluctant to bare your legs in public, which is understandable.

Having varicose veins doesn't just produce physical symptoms; for many people, it also causes a decrease in self-esteem and self-confidence. Having unsightly blue-red veins sticking out can make you not want to expose your legs, and while this isn't a problem in winter, in summer it can be a real ordeal.

On the other hand, I do not recommend that you trap your legs in tight, tight jeans. Tight clothing will only further impede circulation and make the problem worse. Why not opt ​​for a pretty long dress or cargo pants instead?

These types of clothing are usually very loose and light, and allow your skin to breathe while providing some relief to your legs. They also protect the skin from the sun, and believe me when I tell you that nothing can harm varicose veins more than a bad sunburn!

If you usually wear support stockings, you don't have to worry either! You can buy ones that are discreet and easy to hide, especially if you wear long skirts!

Don't forget your sunscreen!

A sunburn alone cannot cause varicose veins, but it can seriously damage your skin and affect the small blood vessels beneath the skin's surface, producing a cobweb-like appearance. However, what sunburn does most is increase skin temperature and dilate blood vessels. As we've already said, heat is bad for varicose veins and sunburn carries an additional risk of inflammation.

Your body will perceive that part of your skin has been damaged and, in its haste to get blood and nutrients to the affected area, will trigger an immune and inflammatory response. Not only will this cause your veins to enlarge, but it will flood your system with inflammatory chemicals and make your symptoms worse, possibly even causing pain and discomfort.

Be good to yourself and remember to reapply sunscreen often, making sure you use the correct SPF for the weather. If you can, try to relax in the shade at regular intervals, and if you decide to go swimming, apply sunscreen before entering the water and when exiting!

Think about your diet

In normal times, it can already be difficult to resist temptation, but when you're on vacation, you may want to abandon your usual diet and be more lax. There's no question of denying yourself a scoop of ice cream or tiramisu, but I would like you to remember one important word: moderation.

There's nothing wrong with having a treat every once in a while, but don't go overboard. Instead, take advantage of all the superb fruits that are in season! Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, bananas and watermelon are all naturally rich in nutrients like vitamin C or minerals like potassium . And they're all great for preventing inflammation and nourishing your circulatory system!

So, instead of eating ice cream every day, make a deliciously refreshing fruit salad or smoothie. Below I give you the list of my favorite recipes, but if you want to know more about the foods to favor to support your circulatory system, take a look at my blog which discusses the 10 superfoods to improve circulation .

Sunshine Smoothie
Molkosan fruit smoothie
Anti-hay fever smoothie

Get the blood pumping

It's summer, so why not try to make the most of the nice weather by exercising outside? A simple brisk 10-minute walk every afternoon can make a world of difference to blood circulation, not to mention the other health benefits that being outside can provide!

You can even try other forms of exercise that you may not have considered during the dark winter months, like cycling! It's a great way to explore your surroundings and can really help boost your cardiovascular system while improving your overall fitness and health.

Or if cycling isn't your thing, why not try a team sport like tennis? Find yourself a partner and have an afternoon at your local tennis court. You can also cool off by going to the local swimming pool!
Anything that gets the heart pumping and the blood pumping is a step in the right direction!

Reference :
http://www.westfloridaveincenter.com/2016/02/sun-exposure-effects-veins/