Water and Varicose Veins

Are you getting enough water? Water is essential for a healthy lifestyle and contributes in a number of ways to keep your body going. Water regulates your internal body temperature, it lubricates your joints, it helps you digest your food and get rid of waste, and it is needed for your cells to work properly. But did you know that water also plays a key role in your vein health?

If you aren’t consuming enough water, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated. When your body is dehydrated your blood becomes more concentrated and, in response, your blood vessels constrict to help move the blood along, which can result in an increase in blood pressure. High blood pressure puts strain on your entire circulatory system, including your veins and can lead to varicose veins or the much more serious issue of Deep Vein Thrombosis. Staying properly hydrated keeps your blood thinner and moving properly which reduces the strain on your circulatory system.

Drinking plenty of water also improves the strength of your muscles which are vital to supporting your veins. If your muscles are weakened, they might not be strong enough to offer the support needed for your veins to function properly. Staying properly hydrated keeps your muscles strong!

Another factor to consider when discussing water and your vein health is constipation. Did you know that over time, the increase of pressure on your veins from constipation can lead to varicose veins? To prevent this from happening, be sure to eat a diet rich in dietary fiber and drink lots of water to help that fiber keep things moving.

We’ve talked a lot about drinking water and staying hydrated to help with vein health, but getting into the water can be just as beneficial! Swimming is an excellent way to strengthen the muscles in your legs so they are strong enough to support your leg veins and help to pump your blood from your legs back up to your heart. Staying active will also aid in maintaining a healthy weight which will keep unnecessary pressure off of your legs.

So now, when you think of vein health, think of water! And if you have any other concerns regarding your vein health, be sure to contact Dr. Eston Wenger to set up an appointment. Give Dr. Wenger, a call at Premier Surgical Associates of Cleveland, TN, at (423) 472-5423 or click here to request an appointment online.