HealthyLife Articles

Tag: legs

  • What To Do About Varicose Veins

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Doctor and patient talking.

    Do you have bulging veins on your legs? The veins may be blue, purple or red in color. If so, you may have varicose veins.

    What are varicose veins?

    Your heart is always pumping blood out to your organs. Then, the blood goes back to the heart through the veins. Veins have special valves that push the blood back toward the heart.

    Sometimes these valves stop working correctly. This may happen if valves get weaker over time. Then the blood pools in the vein, unable to move. Blood that is pooling in a vein may cause the bulge or bump of a varicose vein.

    Not just cosmetic

    Some people don’t like the look of varicose veins. But they can also cause other problems. Varicose veins may itch or cause pain, swelling or heaviness in the legs.

    They can also continue to weaken the vein over time. This can cause skin changes like open sores or hard, thick areas of skin.

    Medical options

    Ask your doctor about medical procedures that can help. Options may include:

    *  Lasers that heat the vein and close it off

    *  Injections that seal the vein closed

    *  Surgery to remove the vein if non-invasive options don’t work

    Helping at home

    If varicose veins bother you, there are some things you can do.

    *  First, work toward a healthy weight. Being overweight puts more pressure on the veins.

    *  Be active. Exercise gets your blood pumping. This helps move blood out of the veins.

    *  Ask your doctor about compression stockings. These can help relieve pain and heaviness for some people. These are available at drug stores and online without a prescription if your doctor gives you the okay to wear them.

    *  Put your legs up. When possible, keep your legs up above your heart.

    *  Don’t wear clothes that are very tight around the waist or upper thighs.

    Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 13 Reasons Why Walking Works

    BE FIT

    Image of middle-age couple walking.

    1. Safest exercise on earth

    2. Simple exercise for people who haven’t been exercising

    3. Families can walk together

    4. Social interaction is possible (walk and talk)

    5. Sparks creativity (take along a notebook and pen or a camera)

    6. Improves endurance

    7. Ideal for weight loss

    8. Strengthens bones

    9. Tones legs

    10. Perfect for exploring

    11. Reduces stress

    12. Very inexpensive (no special equipment required, just shoes)

    13. Can be done anytime, anywhere, and for life! Your life!

    From Walk the Four Seasons by walking guru Robert Sweetgall, Creative Walking, Inc.,www.creativewalking.com, who has walked across the USA 7 times.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Don’T Let Shin Splints Stop You

    BE FIT

    Close up images of hands holding shins in pain.

    If you’ve ever felt aching or shooting pain up the front of your lower legs after running, it could be shin splints. Though it’s usually not serious, it can be painful enough to stop even the most dedicated exerciser.

    If you get shin splints, try these tips:

    *Switch to lower impact exercise.Until the pain goes away, try swimming, biking, or using an elliptical machine, so you put less pressure on your legs.

    *Wear proper shoes.If you’ve had the same running shoes for years, it may be time for a new pair. Support wears down over time, causing pain in the feet and legs. Make sure you have enough support under the arch and heel areas.

    *Ice the area.Apply ice packs for up to 20 minutes at a time, a few times a day, to help with pain.

    If the pain doesn’t go away, see your doctor. Sometimes shin splints may be a sign of a small bone break or inflammation of tendons in the legs.

    Source: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Ride Your Bike To Work

    BE FIT

    Image of young man in a business suit with a bike and helmet on.

    Think of the money you’ll save on gas, train fare, and parking. If you live within 10 miles of your work, find solutions to overcome these popular excuses:

    *Not safe:Use less congested roads if rush-hour traffic clogs the main streets.

    *Have to dress nicely at work:Drive to work one day each week and leave a week’s worth of clean clothes.

    *No place to shower:To clean up, use a deodorant soap and washcloth in the restroom.

    *No secure place to park my bike:Check for a storage closet or furnace room, or stash your bike with a friend who lives nearby or at a bike shop.

    *I’d have to ride in the dark:Wear light-colored, reflective clothing, attach lights and reflectors and use a route that’s lit by streetlights.

    *Hate riding in cold and rainy weather:If it’s pouring or sleeting, leave the bike at home.

    *Too far:Drive part way and cycle the rest. Look for a park-and-ride commuter lot.

    Source: Bicycling magazine’s 1,000 All-Time Best Tips

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine