The heat wave is approaching, the air temperature is rising to almost 30 degrees. It is time for holidays. Summer is also a period of worsening symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and the appearance of serious complications. Where do they come from and how can we protect ourselves?
Causes of worsening symptoms of venous insufficiency:
- High temperature causing the veins to expand and the blood volume in the vessels to increase
- Dehydration increasing bloods “density”
- Long distance journeys – by car or by plane. A few or even several hours spent in a sitting position increases blood stasis in the widened veins
Above mentioned circumstances can lead to:
- Excessive leg swelling leading to inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue. Hard, painful lumps can appear on the legs, the skin in this area is red and excessively warmed.
- Venous thrombosis – swelling of the lower leg or the whole limb causes pain in the calfs when touching, the calf area is excessively warm and red, varicose veins are widened, hard and painful.
- Venous ulcers – A painful wound may appear in the course of inflammation, often with severe drainage and skin inflammation around the edges. The ulcer is usually painful and quickly becomes infected, which increases the discomfort, inhibits the wound healing and prolongs the entire treatment.
How is chronic venous insufficiency treated or managed?
- Drink plenty of water, at least 1.5-2 liters per day.
- Avoid excessive alcohol drinking while traveling – alcohol consumption dehydrates the body.
- Use compression products – before a long journey (over 3 hours) wear compression stockings. They protect against swelling and reduce the risk of venous thrombosis.
- Avoid long periods of standing or sitting: If you must take a long trip and will be sitting for a long time, flex and extend your legs, feet, and ankles every few hours to keep the blood flowing in the leg veins. If you need to stand for long periods of time, take frequent breaks to sit down and elevate your feet.
- Exercise regularly – instead of lying on the beach, try walking, cycling, jogging, Nordic walking, swimming etc. Movement is beneficial for the vascular system. It eliminates swelling, stagnation of blood in dilated veins, promotes the improvement of oxygenation and nutrition of tissues and improves the flow in all vessels.
Doppler ultrasound examination
It’s worth checking the condition of your blood vessels before going on vacation. Based on the examination of color flow Doppler ultrasound, a specialist can accurately determine the condition of the superficial veins, deep veins and arteries. By following the doctor’s instructions, you can avoid many threatening complications and enjoy your vacation without worrying.
Author: VenoMedica
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