Decalogue of the Spanish chapter of Phlebology to the health of the varicose veins in summer

the Spanish chapter of Phlebology is the scientific institution of reference in Spain to the study, exploration, diagnosis and treatment of venous disease and lymphatic.

-With the arrival of the heat appear inconvenience by varicose veins or accentuate existing.

-prevent and eliminate any inconvenience arising from varicose veins is not always possible. However, there are a few simple measures that can contribute to reduce the inconvenience and delay the onset of new varicose veins.

-the tips are applicable to life at home, stays in bathing areas or in the field, those travel long (economy class syndrome), etc.

Madrid, July of 2011. Each year with the arrival of summer, the Vascular Surgeons are increased the number of patients who come with increased symptoms of venous insufficiency, mainly, varicose veins. It is inevitable with high temperatures the vein dilate and symptoms exacerbate. There is also a tendency to accumulate fluid in the legs (edema). Thus, in the summer often there are more varicose veins, this dilation may disappear with the end of the summer, but sometimes it is permanent.

Prevent varicose veins appear is not always possible. This is due to that even controlling the risk factors, genetic influences determining. However, there are measures that can be applied easily and to help reduce the inconvenience and delay the onset of new varicose veins. Given the large number of Councils with little scientific rigour which appear at this time of year, the Spanish chapter of Phlebology (CEF) of SEACV (Spanish society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery) believed that some recommendations based on scientific evidence may help the affected population to adopt more effective measures in each case. For this reason, it presents the following Decalogue.

1. Activate your legs
spend much time standing or seated (in particular with crossed legs) should be avoided, since it predisposes to venous insufficiency. Due to gravity, these situations conducive to the stagnation of blood in the veins. It is convenient to move and take small walks throughout the day or make circular movements with its feet. In the case of long journeys by car, train or plane (economy class syndrome), stand up once and walk a few minutes to encourage venous return. In the case of travel by car, make stops every two hours and give rides for rest areas (at least for 5 minutes). It is also advisable to use compression stockings elastic, massaging ascending on the calves, circular exercises on the ankles (avoiding the thighs keeps on the seat) and do exercises lifting form alternating tips and, later, the heels of both feet.

2. Practice a proper sport
walking is more beneficial to the venous circulation exercise, provided that you practice regularly and with an appropriate footwear. The sole of the feet, irrigated by numerous veins, acts as a pump, and at each step, its crushing drives blood upwards from the ankles to the calves. Later, the contractions of the muscles of the legs favour the progression of blood to the heart. For these reasons, the practice of gymnastics, cycling, golf, dance and swimming promotes venous return. It is especially healthy walk barefoot to the shore of the sea, as the freshness of the sea exerts a vasoconstrictor action which increases the venous tone.

3. Avoid sources of heat
heat promotes venous dilatation and therefore avoid any source of heat: sunbathing in the legs, depilation with hot wax, walk on hot floors, warm baths, sauna, etc.

4. Refresh your legs
cold causes venous contraction. Showers of fresh water in the legs activate the venous function and relieve the feeling of heaviness and pain. Walking along the shore of the sea associated with physical activity and the vasoconstrictor action.

5. Avoid constipation and overweight
A diet rich in fibre, a good hydration (drinking a litre and a half or two of water per day), a limited of saturated fats (butter, meat) consumption and an adequate intake of fruits and vegetables in a rich and varied diet can combat both constipation and overweightwhich have a negative influence on varicose veins.

6. Use comfortable clothing
too beat clothing compresses veins and blocks the venous circulation of return to the heart. It is advisable to avoid the pants too tight, the bands, the belts and the socks with strong elastic. Not so with the average therapeutic elastic compression, that are used to prevent and mitigate the appearance of varicose veins.

7. Take a right heel
high-heeled shoes reduces the surface of the foot support and flat shoes her rise too far. A 2-3 cm heel is the most advisable to ensure a good venous return. Walking barefoot on the active Beach in full the ‘ bomb planting ’ favouring in this way the venous return from the feet.

8. Promotes venous return in bed
it is healthy for varicose veins, carry out, lying face up, pedal movements at bedtime. The elevation of the legs of the bed of 10 to 12 cm reduces stagnation of venous blood while sleeping.

9. Massage your legs
massages of the legs, from the foot to the thigh, according to the sense of the venous circulation, increase the speed of return venous.

10. Medications and pregnancy
should be flebotónica medication, whether it has prescribed, and it should not abandon until that happens the heat. Also, certain circumstances such as pregnancy or taking oral contraceptives may aggravate the venous problems.

A summary of these recommendations can be found on the website of the chapter Spanish of Phlebology. Likewise, the CEF is working on the development of several clinical practice guidelines in a white paper on the venous and lymphatic pathology in Spain, to help professionals and the general population to the best knowledge of this pathology.