With warm weather approaching, you might be itching to plan a vacation. Though you look forward to relaxing or exploring new places, you should remember to consider your health as you travel, especially if you have a pre-existing condition like varicose veins.
A vacation can disrupt your usual schedule, but if you plan ahead, you can enjoy your holiday without wreaking havoc on your veins. Consult with your vein doctor for more specific tips about caring for your cardiovascular system. But you can also read on to find advice from your vascular specialist for safe and comfortable traveling for patients with varicose veins.
Avoid Sitting for Long Periods
Your vacation begins with the journey to your getaway destination. Whether you intend to fly there or embark on a road trip, you might be in for extended periods of sitting.
These long stretches of inactivity will make your veins work harder to get blood where it needs to go. And this can worsen swelling and discomfort in existing vein disorders like varicose veins.
To avoid this complication, you should try to stand and walk every 60 minutes or so to improve your circulation. In a car, you can park and move with greater ease than when stuck in an airplane. But if you find yourself crammed in an airplane seat, you can do exercises like flexing your feet and rolling your ankles to encourage blood flow.
Consider Compression Stockings
If you know you will have limited mobility due to a plane ride or car trip, you might want to wear compression stockings during your journey. Long periods of inactivity may cause your legs to swell as the blood works harder to flow through your veins. As a result, you can see worsening varicose veins symptoms.
Compression stockings keep a tight hold around the legs where many people experience varicose veins. This will prevent swelling and other discomforts related to this condition.
Stay Hydrated
You know you need to drink plenty of water to stay healthy. Drinking at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water each day also helps your vascular system. It prevents narrowing in your blood vessels and reduces stress on your body. This can keep symptoms related to varicose veins at bay.
On vacation, you might have a busy schedule that disrupts your usual schedule for drinking water. Plan ahead and pack an easy-to-carry water bottle that allows you to stay hydrated and healthy throughout your day.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
If you plan to travel, you likely want to wear loose, cozy clothing in the car or plane to have a more comfortable experience. This intention helps to keep your veins healthy as well.
Constricting clothing, especially around the waist, will put pressure on your body which can disrupt blood flow. This can encourage the bulging and pooling of blood in varicose veins.
You might wonder if this counteracts the benefits of compression stockings. The tight fit of these special socks around legs with varicose veins will actually encourage blood circulation in these areas. Learn more when you call your vein doctor.