What to Wear and Not to Wear When it Comes to Varicose Veins
You might not be aware that your clothing choices can have an impact on your venous health. While your wardrobe can’t cause varicose veins, certain garment choices can worsen the symptoms if you’re already suffering. Certain types of clothing can interfere with the body’s circulation, which is crucial to your vein health.
What to Avoid
You might know that compression stockings can provide varicose vein sufferers with much needed relief, but what about those other tightly fitting clothes? Tight garments cause more harm than good for people with venous disorders. These include:
Garters
Girdles
Spanx
Tight elastic socks
And skinny jeans
This is because they tend to restrict or cut off circulation in the lower extremities, where varicose veins most often develop. High heels can also cause circulatory problems.
When circulation is poor, blood tends to collect in veins in the legs. When this happens, the accumulating blood places increased pressure on already swollen varicose veins, making the symptoms worse.
What to Wear
The list of items to avoid is far shorter than the list of clothing items that people with varicose veins can wear without making their symptoms worse. Here are a few tips for choosing the right clothing:
Graduated compression stockings help relieve some symptoms of varicose veins by ensuring that blood flow goes in an upward motion towards the heart.
Looser fitting jeans, tights, and leggings prevent constriction in the legs.
Soft-sole, low-heel shoes allow blood to flow more easily since your foot lies flat on the ground.
Even if you don’t already have varicose veins, prioritizing loose-fitting, breathable clothing may be beneficial if you are at greater risk of developing them. People with a family history of varicose veins, those over 40, smokers, and obese people are more likely to develop varicose veins. And the likelihood multiplies if you have a combination of risk factors.
Unfortunately, no outfit can permanently eliminate or prevent varicose veins, but wearing the right clothes can help make your symptoms more manageable.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.